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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Galatians 4:26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/4-26.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/18/48_Gal_04_26.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 4:26 - Hagar and Sarah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/galatians/4-26.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/galatians/4-26.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/galatians/">Galatians</a> > <a href="/galatians/4.htm">Chapter 4</a> > Verse 26</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/galatians/4-25.htm" title="Galatians 4:25">◄</a> Galatians 4:26 <a href="/galatians/4-27.htm" title="Galatians 4:27">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Greek </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/galatians/4.htm">New International Version</a> But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. <a href="/nlt/galatians/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> But the other woman, Sarah, represents the heavenly Jerusalem. She is the free woman, and she is our mother. <a href="/esv/galatians/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. <a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. <a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But the Jerusalem above is free, who is our mother. <a href="/kjv/galatians/4.htm">King James Bible</a> But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. <a href="/nkjv/galatians/4.htm">New King James Version</a> but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. <a href="/nasb_/galatians/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. <a href="/nasb/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. <a href="/nasb77/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. <a href="/lsb/galatians/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. <a href="/amp/galatians/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But the Jerusalem above [that is, the way of faith, represented by Sarah] is free; she is our mother. <a href="/csb/galatians/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. <a href="/hcsb/galatians/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. <a href="/asv/galatians/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother. <a href="/cev/galatians/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> But our mother is the city of Jerusalem in heaven above, and she isn't a slave. <a href="/erv/galatians/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is our mother. <a href="/gwt/galatians/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. <a href="/gnt/galatians/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> But the heavenly Jerusalem is free, and she is our mother. <a href="/isv/galatians/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> But the heavenly Jerusalem is the free woman, and she is our spiritual mother. <a href="/net/galatians/4.htm">NET Bible</a> But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. <a href="/nheb/galatians/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother. <a href="/wbt/galatians/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all. <a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But the Jerusalem which is above is free, and *she* is *our* mother.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/galatians/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is the mother of us all. <a href="/web/galatians/4.htm">World English Bible</a> But the Jerusalem that is above is free, which is the mother of us all. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and the Jerusalem above is the free [woman], which is mother of us all, <a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But the Jerusalem above is free, who is our mother. <a href="/ylt/galatians/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and the Jerusalem above is the free-woman, which is mother of us all, <a href="/slt/galatians/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> But Jerusalem above is free, which is mother of us all.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But that Jerusalem, which is above, is free: which is our mother. <a href="/cpdv/galatians/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But that Jerusalem which is above is free; the same is our mother. <a href="/nabre/galatians/4.htm">New American Bible</a> But the Jerusalem above is freeborn, and she is our mother. <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> But the other woman corresponds to the Jerusalem above; she is free, and she is our mother.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But the Jerusalem which is above is free, and is the mother of us all. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> But that Jerusalem above is free, which is our mother.<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But Jerusalem which is above is free; and she is the mother of us all. <a href="/godbey/galatians/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But Jerusalem who is above is free, who is our mother: <a href="/haweis/galatians/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. <a href="/mace/galatians/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but the heavenly Jerusalem is represented by the free-woman, who is the mother of us all. <a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> But the Jerusalem which is above is free, and *she* is *our* mother. <a href="/worrell/galatians/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> But the Jerusalem which is above is free, which, indeed, is our mother; <a href="/worsley/galatians/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> But the Jerusalem above is represented by the free-woman, which is the mother of us all. <a href="/parallel/galatians/4-26.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Jv8Ri4CeT34?start=918" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Hagar and Sarah</a> …25Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present-day Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children. 26<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc.">But</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: hē (Art-NFS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the</a> <a href="/greek/2419.htm" title="2419: Ierousalēm (N-NFS) -- Of Hebrew origin; Hierusalem, the capitol of Palestine.">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/greek/507.htm" title="507: anō (Adv) -- Up, above, up to the top, up to the brim, things above, heaven, the heavenly region. Adverb from anti; upward or on the top.">above</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/1658.htm" title="1658: eleuthera (Adj-NFS) -- Free, delivered from obligation. Probably from the alternate of erchomai; unrestrained, i.e. not a slave, or exempt.">free,</a> <a href="/greek/3748.htm" title="3748: hētis (RelPro-NFS) -- Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever. ">and she</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">is</a> <a href="/greek/1473.htm" title="1473: hēmōn (PPro-G1P) -- I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.">our</a> <a href="/greek/3384.htm" title="3384: mētēr (N-NFS) -- A mother. Apparently a primary word; a mother.">mother.</a> 27For it is written: “Rejoice, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/revelation/21-2.htm">Revelation 21:2</a> I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. <a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm">Hebrews 12:22</a> Instead, you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to myriads of angels <a href="/isaiah/54-1.htm">Isaiah 54:1</a> “Shout for joy, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth in song and cry aloud, you who have never travailed; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband,” says the LORD. <a href="/revelation/3-12.htm">Revelation 3:12</a> The one who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will never again leave it. Upon him I will write the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God (the new Jerusalem that comes down out of heaven from My God), and My new name. <a href="/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20</a> But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, <a href="/isaiah/2-2.htm">Isaiah 2:2-3</a> In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. / And many peoples will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. <a href="/psalms/87-5.htm">Psalm 87:5-6</a> And it will be said of Zion: “This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High Himself will establish her.” / The LORD will record in the register of the peoples: “This one was born in Zion.” Selah <a href="/revelation/21-10.htm">Revelation 21:10</a> And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, <a href="/isaiah/66-10.htm">Isaiah 66:10-13</a> Be glad for Jerusalem and rejoice over her, all who love her. Rejoice greatly with her, all who mourn over her, / so that you may nurse and be satisfied at her comforting breasts; you may drink deeply and delight yourselves in her glorious abundance. / For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river, and the wealth of nations like a flowing stream; you will nurse and be carried on her arm, and bounced upon her knees. ... <a href="/matthew/5-14.htm">Matthew 5:14</a> You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. <a href="/isaiah/60-14.htm">Isaiah 60:14</a> The sons of your oppressors will come and bow down to you; all who reviled you will fall facedown at your feet and call you the City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy One of Israel. <a href="/micah/4-1.htm">Micah 4:1-2</a> In the last days the mountain of the house of the LORD will be established as the chief of the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and the peoples will stream to it. / And many nations will come and say: “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways, so that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. <a href="/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3-5</a> Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” / “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time to be born?” / Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. <a href="/isaiah/65-18.htm">Isaiah 65:18-19</a> But be glad and rejoice forever in what I create; for I will create Jerusalem to be a joy and its people to be a delight. / I will rejoice in Jerusalem and take delight in My people. The sounds of weeping and crying will no longer be heard in her. <a href="/ezekiel/48-35.htm">Ezekiel 48:35</a> The perimeter of the city will be 18,000 cubits, and from that day on the name of the city will be: THE LORD IS THERE.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.Jerusalem.<a href="/psalms/87-3.htm">Psalm 87:3-6</a> Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah… <a href="/isaiah/2-2.htm">Isaiah 2:2,3</a> And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it… <a href="/isaiah/52-9.htm">Isaiah 52:9</a> Break forth into joy, sing together, ye waste places of Jerusalem: for the LORD hath comforted his people, he hath redeemed Jerusalem.free.<a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22</a> For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman.<a href="/galatians/5-1.htm">Galatians 5:1</a> Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.<a href="/john/8-36.htm">John 8:36</a> If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.mother.<a href="/songs/8-1.htm">Song of Solomon 8:1,2</a> O that thou wert as my brother, that sucked the breasts of my mother! when I should find thee without, I would kiss thee; yea, I should not be despised… <a href="/isaiah/50-1.htm">Isaiah 50:1</a> Thus saith the LORD, Where is the bill of your mother's divorcement, whom I have put away? or which of my creditors is it to whom I have sold you? Behold, for your iniquities have ye sold yourselves, and for your transgressions is your mother put away.<a href="/hosea/2-2.htm">Hosea 2:2,5</a> Plead with your mother, plead: for she is not my wife, neither am I her husband: let her therefore put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts; … <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/4-23.htm">Free</a> <a href="/galatians/4-23.htm">Free-Woman</a> <a href="/galatians/2-6.htm">High</a> <a href="/galatians/4-25.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/romans/16-13.htm">Mother</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/galatians/4-30.htm">Free</a> <a href="/galatians/4-30.htm">Free-Woman</a> <a href="/ephesians/1-21.htm">High</a> <a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm">Jerusalem</a> <a href="/ephesians/5-31.htm">Mother</a><div class="vheading2">Galatians 4</div>1. <a href="/galatians/4-1.htm">We were under the law till Christ came, as the heir is under the guardian till he be of age.</a> 5. <a href="/galatians/4-5.htm">But Christ freed us from the law;</a> 7. <a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">therefore we are servants no longer to it.</a> 14. <a href="/galatians/4-14.htm">Paul remembers the Galatians' good will to him, and his to them;</a> 22. <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">and shows that we are the sons of Abraham by the freewoman.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/galatians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/galatians/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>But the Jerusalem above This phrase refers to the heavenly Jerusalem, a concept found in both the Old and New Testaments. It contrasts with the earthly Jerusalem, which was under Roman rule and symbolic of the old covenant. The heavenly Jerusalem represents the new covenant and the spiritual realm where God reigns. <a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm">Hebrews 12:22</a> and <a href="/revelation/21-2.htm">Revelation 21:2</a> also mention this heavenly city, emphasizing its divine origin and eternal nature. This Jerusalem is not bound by earthly limitations or laws, symbolizing the freedom and grace found in Christ.is free Freedom here signifies liberation from the law and the bondage of sin. In the context of Galatians, Paul argues against the Judaizers who insisted on adherence to the Mosaic Law for salvation. This freedom is a central theme in Galatians, as seen in <a href="/galatians/5.htm">Galatians 5:1</a>, where Paul exhorts believers to stand firm in the freedom Christ provides. This freedom is not an excuse for sinful behavior but a call to live by the Spirit, as outlined in <a href="/galatians/5-13.htm">Galatians 5:13-25</a>.and she is our mother The imagery of "mother" connects believers to the spiritual lineage of faith, contrasting with the physical lineage of the Jews under the old covenant. This metaphorical motherhood signifies nurturing, care, and the birth of spiritual life. It aligns with the allegory of Sarah and Hagar earlier in <a href="/galatians/4.htm">Galatians 4</a>, where Sarah represents the covenant of promise and freedom. This spiritual motherhood unites all believers, Jew and Gentile, as children of the promise, echoing the unity and inclusivity found in <a href="/ephesians/2-14.htm">Ephesians 2:14-19</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the letter to the Galatians, addressing the churches in Galatia to correct false teachings and emphasize the freedom found in Christ. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jerusalem_above.htm">Jerusalem Above</a> A symbolic representation of the heavenly Jerusalem, contrasting with the earthly Jerusalem. It signifies the spiritual realm and the freedom of the new covenant. 3. <a href="/topical/g/galatian_churches.htm">Galatian Churches</a> The recipients of Paul's letter, who were struggling with the influence of Judaizers advocating adherence to the Mosaic Law. 4. <a href="/topical/h/hagar_and_sarah.htm">Hagar and Sarah</a> Earlier in <a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Galatians 4</a>, Paul uses the allegory of Hagar and Sarah to contrast the old covenant of the law with the new covenant of grace. 5. <a href="/topical/j/judaizers.htm">Judaizers</a> A group within the early church insisting that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law, including circumcision, to be true Christians.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/f/freedom_in_christ.htm">Freedom in Christ</a> The "Jerusalem above" represents the freedom believers have in Christ, free from the bondage of the law and sin. Embrace this freedom and live in the grace provided by Jesus. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_heritage.htm">Spiritual Heritage</a> As believers, our identity is rooted in the heavenly Jerusalem, not in earthly or legalistic systems. This should shape our values and priorities. <a href="/topical/n/new_covenant_relationship.htm">New Covenant Relationship</a> The new covenant, represented by the "Jerusalem above," is based on faith and grace, not on works or adherence to the law. Cultivate a relationship with God based on these principles. <a href="/topical/u/unity_in_the_body_of_christ.htm">Unity in the Body of Christ</a> Recognize that all believers, regardless of background, are children of the "Jerusalem above" and should live in unity and love. <a href="/topical/h/hope_of_eternal_inheritance.htm">Hope of Eternal Inheritance</a> The heavenly Jerusalem points to our eternal inheritance. Let this hope encourage perseverance and faithfulness in the Christian walk.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_galatians_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Galatians 4</a> <a href="/q/what_is_the_wms_church_of_god.htm">What is the World Mission Society Church of God?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_a_mother_church.htm">What defines a mother church?</a> <a href="/q/is_the_'city_to_come'_symbolic_or_real.htm">(Hebrews 13:14) Is there any historical or archaeological support for the “city to come,” or is it purely symbolic faith language without real-world evidence? </a> <a href="/q/what_challenges_the_'elect_lady'_identity.htm">What evidence challenges the identity of the “elect lady” in 2 John 1:1—whether she is a metaphor for the church or a specific individual? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/galatians/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(26) Jerusalem which is above.--The ideal or heavenly Jerusalem. (Comp. <a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm" title="But you are come to mount Sion, and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,">Hebrews 12:22</a>, "Ye are come to . . . the heavenly Jerusalem;" <a href="/revelation/21-2.htm" title="And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.">Revelation 21:2</a>, "the holy city, new Jerusalem." This "new" or "heavenly" Jerusalem is the seat or centre of the glorified Messianic kingdom, just as the old Jerusalem had been the centre of the earthly theocracy. The conception of the "heavenly Jerusalem" among the Jews, like the rest of their Messianic beliefs, took a materialistic form. It was to be a real but gorgeous city suspended in mid-air, "three parasangs" (11� miles) above the earthly city. Sometimes it is regarded as the exact copy of its earthly counterpart, and at other times as forming a perfect square. (Comp. <a href="/revelation/21-16.htm" title="And the city lies foursquare, and the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the height of it are equal.">Revelation 21:16</a>.) No such materialistic notions attach to the idea as presented by St. Paul. "Jerusalem which is above" is to him a spiritual city, of which the Christian is a member here and now. It is part of the Messianic kingdom, to the whole of which the Apostle gave an ideal character. He could not but do so, seeing that the kingdom began with the coming of its King, though there was no earthly and visible realisation of it. The Christian "conversation" (or, rather, commonwealth, the constitution that he was under) was "in heaven," while he himself was upon earth. (See <a href="/philippians/3-20.htm" title="For our conversation is in heaven; from where also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ:">Philippians 3:20</a>.)Which is the mother of us all.--The true reading is, undoubtedly, which is our mother, omitting "all." The heavenly Jerusalem was the metropolis of Christianity, just as the earthly Jerusalem was the metropolis of Judaism.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 26. - But Jerusalem which is above is free (ἡ δὲ ἄνω Ἱερουσαλήμ ἐλευθέρα ἐστίν); but the Jerusalem that is above is free. The mystic Jerusalem in which Christ reigns, the Son of David, who is at the right hand of God. For the word "above," ἄνω, comp. <a href="/colossians/3-1.htm">Colossians 3:1, 2</a>, "Seek the things that are above (τὰ ἄνω) where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God: set your mind on the things that are above; your life is hid with Christ in God;" and <a href="/philippians/3-20.htm">Philippians 3:20</a>, "Our citizenship (πολίτευμα) is in heaven." This is identical with the "heavenly Jerusalem" of <a href="/hebrews/12-22.htm">Hebrews 12:22</a>, which, standing in contrast with the "mount that might be touched and that burned with fire," Sinai with its soul-crushing terrors, appears associated with the pacifying blood of Jesus, and with communion with all that is holiest and most glorious. The essential identity of the contrast in the two passages, which are mutually illustrative, bespeaks a common origin in one and the same mind. The supernal Jerusalem is not chiefly contrasted with the Jerusalem "that now is," in point of time: she is not the future only, though in the future to be manifested - the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down (as St. John writes) from God out of heaven (<a href="/revelation/21-2.htm">Revelation 21:2</a>); but she is there now, with God. It would be in harmony with St. Paul's representation to suppose that he conceives of her having been there with God in heaven of old, her citizens upon earth being the true servants of God in all ages. In former ages, however, she was comparatively barren; it needed that the enthronization of the God-Man, "the Mediator of the new covenant" (<a href="/hebrews/12-24.htm">Hebrews 12:24</a>), on "God's holy hill of Zion," should take place before she could become the prolific mother here shown to us. Commentators refer to rabbinical speculations relative to a Jerusalem which was conceived of as existing in heaven, as illustrated by Schottgen's 'Dissertatio de Hierosol. Caelesti' ('Hor. Hebr.,' vol. 1. diss. 5.), and also by Wetstein both here and on <a href="/revelation/21.htm">Revelation 21</a>. It would be interesting if we could determine when those rabbinical speculations first arose, and how far it may be judged probable that they or some earlier form of them out of which these sprang suggested anything to St. Paul for the form in which he clothed his own conception of this idea; there may have been such. Meanwhile, we cannot but be struck by the purely ideal and spiritual character in which the apostle here exhibits his conception of it; though something like a terrene manifestation in the future seems indicated in <a href="/romans/8-21.htm">Romans 8:21</a>. "Is free;" the counterpart of Sarah, as mentioned in vers. 22, 23. That this Jerusalem is free, the apostle feels it needless to state; she to his very consciousness is the very home and bosom of God's love, having her very existence, as well as her outward-acting power, in his pervading, actuating Spirit. Bondage, constraint, there cannot be; for all volitions are there harmonized, absorbed, by the Spirit of love uniting her component elements both with each other and with God. Which is the mother of us all (ἥτις ἐστὶ μήτηρ ἡμῶν [Receptus, πάντων ἡμῶν]) which is our mother. Here again, as in ver. 24, ἥτις means "which, being such as she is, is our mother." We look at the Jerusalem that is above, and in her princely freedom we recognize what we her children are. The πάντων, which the Textus Receptus has before ἡμῶν, and which is by the general consent of critics rejected, is with much probability supposed to have come into the text by the copyist's recollection of the similar sentence in <a href="/romans/4-16.htm">Romans 4:16, 17</a>, Ἀβραάμ, ὅς ἐστι πατὴρ πάντων ἡμῶν. But πάντων, which there belongs to the essential thought of the context that God had made Abraham "the father of many nations," is unnecessary here, where the apostle is chiefly concerned with the freedom which characterizes the family of promise. If documentary evidence proved it to be genuine, it would find its justification in the notion of the fruitfulness which now at length, as the apostle presently shows, is given to the supernal Jerusalem. <a href="/commentaries/galatians/4-26.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>But δὲ (de) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1161.htm">Strong's 1161: </a> A primary particle; but, and, etc. the ἡ (hē) Article - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Jerusalem Ἰερουσαλὴμ (Ierousalēm) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2419.htm">Strong's 2419: </a> Of Hebrew origin; Hierusalem, the capitol of Palestine. above ἄνω (anō) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_507.htm">Strong's 507: </a> Up, above, up to the top, up to the brim, things above, heaven, the heavenly region. Adverb from anti; upward or on the top. is ἐστίν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. free, ἐλευθέρα (eleuthera) Adjective - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1658.htm">Strong's 1658: </a> Free, delivered from obligation. Probably from the alternate of erchomai; unrestrained, i.e. not a slave, or exempt. [and she] ἥτις (hētis) Personal / Relative Pronoun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3748.htm">Strong's 3748: </a> Whosoever, whichsoever, whatsoever. is ἐστὶν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. our ἡμῶν (hēmōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1473.htm">Strong's 1473: </a> I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I. mother. μήτηρ (mētēr) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3384.htm">Strong's 3384: </a> A mother. Apparently a primary word; a 'mother'. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/4-26.htm">Galatians 4:26 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/4-26.htm">Galatians 4:26 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/4-26.htm">Galatians 4:26 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/4-26.htm">Galatians 4:26 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/4-26.htm">Galatians 4:26 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/4-26.htm">Galatians 4:26 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/4-26.htm">Galatians 4:26 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/4-26.htm">Galatians 4:26 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/4-26.htm">Galatians 4:26 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/4-26.htm">Galatians 4:26 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/4-26.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 4:26 But the Jerusalem that is above (Gal. 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