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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 4:22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/galatians/4-22.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/48_Gal_04_22.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Galatians 4:22 - Hagar and Sarah" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad2.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/4-21.htm" title="Galatians 4:21">◄</a> Galatians 4:22 <a href="/galatians/4-23.htm" title="Galatians 4:23">►</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> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. <a href="/nlt/galatians/4.htm">New Living Translation</a> The Scriptures say that Abraham had two sons, one from his slave wife and one from his freeborn wife. <a href="/esv/galatians/4.htm">English Standard Version</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and one by a free woman. <a href="/bsb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. <a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For it has been written that Abraham had two sons, one of the slave woman and one of the free. <a href="/kjv/galatians/4.htm">King James Bible</a> For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. <a href="/nkjv/galatians/4.htm">New King James Version</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. <a href="/nasb_/galatians/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and one by the free woman. <a href="/nasb/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1995</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. <a href="/nasb77/galatians/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free woman. <a href="/lsb/galatians/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant-woman and one by the free woman. <a href="/amp/galatians/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman [Hagar] and one by the free woman [Sarah]. <a href="/csb/galatians/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other by a free woman. <a href="/hcsb/galatians/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave and the other by a free woman. <a href="/asv/galatians/4.htm">American Standard Version</a> For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman. <a href="/cev/galatians/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> In the Scriptures we learn that Abraham had two sons. The mother of one of them was a slave, while the mother of the other one had always been free. <a href="/erv/galatians/4.htm">English Revised Version</a> For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman. <a href="/gwt/galatians/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Scripture says that Abraham had two sons, one by a woman who was a slave and the other by a free woman. <a href="/gnt/galatians/4.htm">Good News Translation</a> It says that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman, the other by a free woman. <a href="/isv/galatians/4.htm">International Standard Version</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and the other by a free woman. <a href="/msb/galatians/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. <a href="/net/galatians/4.htm">NET Bible</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. <a href="/nheb/galatians/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman, and one by the free woman. <a href="/wbt/galatians/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For it is written, that Abraham had two sons; the one by a bond-maid, the other by a free-woman. <a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave-girl and one by the free woman. <a href="/web/galatians/4.htm">World English Bible</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the servant, and one by the free woman. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/galatians/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> For it has been written that Abraham had two sons, one by the maidservant and one by the free [woman], <a href="/blb/galatians/4.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> For it has been written that Abraham had two sons, one of the slave woman and one of the free. <a href="/ylt/galatians/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> for it hath been written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the maid-servant, and one by the free-woman, <a href="/slt/galatians/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For it has been written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondmaid, and one by the free.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/galatians/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, and the other by a free woman. <a href="/cpdv/galatians/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons: one by a servant woman, and one by a free woman. <a href="/nabre/galatians/4.htm">New American Bible</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the freeborn woman. <a href="/nrsvce/galatians/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and the other by a free woman.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/galatians/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by a bondmaid, and one by a freewoman. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/galatians/4.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For it is written: “Abraham had two sons, one from a Maidservant and one from a Freewoman.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/galatians/4.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> For it is written, that Abraham had two sons; one by a bondmaid, and one by a free woman. <a href="/godbey/galatians/4.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons; one by a bond-maid and one by a freewoman. <a href="/haweis/galatians/4.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> For it is written<RX 1.16.15> that Abraham had two sons, the one by a bondwoman, and the other by a free. <a href="/mace/galatians/4.htm">Mace New Testament</a> for it is there written, Abraham had two sons, the one by a bond-maid, the other by a free-woman. <a href="/wey/galatians/4.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave-girl and one by the free woman. <a href="/worrell/galatians/4.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> For it has been written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bond-woman, and one by the free-woman. <a href="/worsley/galatians/4.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> where it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by a servant, and one by a free-woman? <a href="/parallel/galatians/4-22.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=877" 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> 21Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand what the law says? 22<a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1125.htm" title="1125: gegraptai (V-RIM/P-3S) -- A primary verb; to grave, especially to write; figuratively, to describe.">it is written</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">that</a> <a href="/greek/11.htm" title="11: Abraam (N-NMS) -- Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch.">Abraham</a> <a href="/greek/2192.htm" title="2192: eschen (V-AIA-3S) -- To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold.">had</a> <a href="/greek/1417.htm" title="1417: dyo (Adj-AMP) -- Two. A primary numeral; two.">two</a> <a href="/greek/5207.htm" title="5207: huious (N-AMP) -- A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a son, used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship.">sons,</a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: hena (Adj-AMS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">one</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">by</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- 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/3814.htm" title="3814: paidiskēs (N-GFS) -- A female slave, maidservant, maid, young girl. Feminine diminutive of pais; a girl, i.e., a female slave or servant.">slave woman</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/1520.htm" title="1520: hena (Adj-AMS) -- One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one.">the other</a> <a href="/greek/1537.htm" title="1537: ek (Prep) -- From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out.">by</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tēs (Art-GFS) -- 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/1658.htm" title="1658: eleutheras (Adj-GFS) -- Free, delivered from obligation. Probably from the alternate of erchomai; unrestrained, i.e. not a slave, or exempt.">free woman.</a> 23His son by the slave woman was born according to the flesh, but his son by the free woman was born through the promise.…<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="/genesis/16-15.htm">Genesis 16:15</a> And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram gave the name Ishmael to the son she had borne. <a href="/genesis/21-2.htm">Genesis 21:2-3</a> So Sarah conceived and bore a son to Abraham in his old age, at the very time God had promised. / And Abraham gave the name Isaac to the son Sarah bore to him. <a href="/romans/9-7.htm">Romans 9:7-9</a> Nor because they are Abraham’s descendants are they all his children. On the contrary, “Through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned.” / So it is not the children of the flesh who are God’s children, but it is the children of the promise who are regarded as offspring. / For this is what the promise stated: “At the appointed time I will return, and Sarah will have a son.” <a href="/hebrews/11-11.htm">Hebrews 11:11-12</a> By faith Sarah, even though she was barren and beyond the proper age, was enabled to conceive a child, because she considered Him faithful who had promised. / And so from one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. <a href="/genesis/17-19.htm">Genesis 17:19</a> But God replied, “Your wife Sarah will indeed bear you a son, and you are to name him Isaac. I will establish My covenant with him as an everlasting covenant for his descendants after him. <a href="/genesis/21-10.htm">Genesis 21:10</a> and she said to Abraham, “Expel the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman’s son will never share in the inheritance with my son Isaac!” <a href="/genesis/25-1.htm">Genesis 25:1-6</a> Now Abraham had taken another wife, named Keturah, / and she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. / Jokshan was the father of Sheba and Dedan. And the sons of Dedan were the Asshurites, the Letushites, and the Leummites. ... <a href="/romans/4-18.htm">Romans 4:18-22</a> Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” / Without weakening in his faith, he acknowledged the decrepitness of his body (since he was about a hundred years old) and the lifelessness of Sarah’s womb. / Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ... <a href="/genesis/18-10.htm">Genesis 18:10</a> Then the LORD said, “I will surely return to you at this time next year, and your wife Sarah will have a son!” Now Sarah was behind him, listening at the entrance to the tent. <a href="/genesis/18-14.htm">Genesis 18:14</a> Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you—in about a year—and Sarah will have a son.” <a href="/genesis/21-12.htm">Genesis 21:12</a> But God said to Abraham, “Do not be distressed about the boy and your maidservant. Listen to everything that Sarah tells you, for through Isaac your offspring will be reckoned. <a href="/genesis/15-4.htm">Genesis 15:4</a> Then the word of the LORD came to Abram, saying, “This one will not be your heir, but one who comes from your own body will be your heir.” <a href="/genesis/17-16.htm">Genesis 17:16</a> And I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will descend from her.” <a href="/genesis/17-21.htm">Genesis 17:21</a> But I will establish My covenant with Isaac, whom Sarah will bear to you at this time next year.” <a href="/genesis/18-11.htm">Genesis 18:11</a> And Abraham and Sarah were already old and well along in years; Sarah had passed the age of childbearing.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a female slave, the other by a free woman.that.<a href="/genesis/16-2.htm">Genesis 16:2-4,15</a> And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the LORD hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai… <a href="/genesis/21-1.htm">Genesis 21:1,2,10</a> And the LORD visited Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as he had spoken… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/galatians/3-29.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/luke/1-48.htm">Bondmaid</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-20.htm">Bond-Maid</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-41.htm">Bondwoman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-5.htm">Free</a> <a href="/galatians/4-31.htm">Freewoman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-30.htm">Free-Woman</a> <a href="/luke/1-48.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/acts/12-13.htm">Maid</a> <a href="/luke/1-38.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-20.htm">Servant-Woman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-7.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/acts/16-16.htm">Slave-Girl</a> <a href="/galatians/3-22.htm">Writings</a> <a href="/galatians/3-13.htm">Written</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/hebrews/2-16.htm">Abraham</a> <a href="/exodus/23-12.htm">Bondmaid</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-20.htm">Bond-Maid</a> <a href="/galatians/4-23.htm">Bondwoman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-23.htm">Free</a> <a href="/galatians/4-23.htm">Freewoman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-23.htm">Free-Woman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-23.htm">Handmaid</a> <a href="/galatians/4-23.htm">Maid</a> <a href="/galatians/4-23.htm">Maid-Servant</a> <a href="/galatians/4-23.htm">Servant</a> <a href="/galatians/4-23.htm">Servant-Woman</a> <a href="/galatians/4-23.htm">Slave</a> <a href="/galatians/4-23.htm">Slave-Girl</a> <a href="/galatians/4-27.htm">Writings</a> <a href="/galatians/4-27.htm">Written</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>For it is written This phrase indicates that the Apostle Paul is referencing the Hebrew Scriptures, specifically the book of Genesis. By using "it is written," Paul underscores the authority and permanence of the Scriptures, a common practice in Jewish teaching and early Christian writings. This phrase connects the New Testament teachings with the Old Testament, showing continuity in God's plan.that Abraham had two sons Abraham, a central figure in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions, is known as the father of faith. His two sons, Ishmael and Isaac, represent two different covenants and paths. Ishmael, born to Hagar, and Isaac, born to Sarah, are pivotal in understanding the fulfillment of God's promises. This reference highlights the historical and theological significance of Abraham's lineage in God's redemptive plan.one by the slave woman The "slave woman" refers to Hagar, Sarah's Egyptian maidservant. In <a href="/genesis/16.htm">Genesis 16</a>, Sarah, unable to bear children, gives Hagar to Abraham to produce an heir. This act, though culturally acceptable at the time, was outside God's promise to Abraham and Sarah. Hagar's status as a slave emphasizes the theme of bondage and human effort, contrasting with the freedom and divine promise associated with Sarah.and the other by the free woman The "free woman" is Sarah, Abraham's wife, who bore Isaac. Despite her initial barrenness, God fulfilled His promise to Abraham through Sarah, demonstrating His power and faithfulness. Isaac's birth was miraculous, occurring when both Abraham and Sarah were advanced in age. This highlights the theme of divine intervention and grace, contrasting with the human effort seen in Hagar's story. Isaac, as the child of promise, prefigures the freedom and inheritance believers receive through faith in Christ.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/a/abraham.htm">Abraham</a> A patriarch in the Bible, considered the father of faith. His life and actions are foundational to understanding God's covenant with His people. 2. <a href="/topical/h/hagar.htm">Hagar</a> The slave woman mentioned in this verse. She was an Egyptian servant of Sarah, Abraham's wife, and bore Abraham's son, Ishmael. 3. <a href="/topical/s/sarah.htm">Sarah</a> The free woman, Abraham's wife, who bore Isaac, the child of promise, in her old age. 4. <a href="/topical/i/ishmael.htm">Ishmael</a> The son of Abraham and Hagar. His birth represents human effort and the old covenant. 5. <a href="/topical/i/isaac.htm">Isaac</a> The son of Abraham and Sarah. His birth represents God's promise and the new covenant.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_covenants.htm">Understanding the Covenants</a> The two sons represent two covenants: Ishmael symbolizes the old covenant of the law, while Isaac symbolizes the new covenant of grace through faith. <a href="/topical/f/faith_vs._works.htm">Faith vs. Works</a> The account illustrates the difference between relying on human effort (Hagar and Ishmael) and trusting in God's promise (Sarah and Isaac). <a href="/topical/f/freedom_in_christ.htm">Freedom in Christ</a> Believers are called to live as children of the free woman, embracing the freedom and promise found in Christ, rather than being bound by the law. <a href="/topical/g/god's_faithfulness.htm">God's Faithfulness</a> Despite human attempts to fulfill God's promises through their own means, God's faithfulness prevails, as seen in the birth of Isaac. <a href="/topical/i/identity_in_christ.htm">Identity in Christ</a> Our identity as believers is rooted in the promise of God, not in our heritage or works, aligning with the spiritual lineage of Isaac.<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/is_the_antichrist_gay.htm">Was Hagar a wife or concubine of Abraham?</a> <a href="/q/was_hagar_abraham's_wife_or_concubine.htm">Was Hagar a wife or concubine of Abraham?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_galatians_4_22-23_and_genesis_differ.htm">Why does Galatians 4:22-23, referring to Abraham’s two sons, contradict other accounts of their significance in Genesis? </a> <a href="/q/who_was_hagar_in_the_bible.htm">Who was Hagar in the Bible?</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>(22) For.--This particle would naturally not be expressed in English. It was a reason for the question which had been asked just before: "For the Law does supply a case in point."The one by a bondmaid.--Hagar, it seems from <a href="/genesis/16-1.htm" title="Now Sarai Abram's wife bore him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.">Genesis 16:1</a>, was an Egyptian. The word for "bondmaid" was not confined to this sense in earlier Greek, but was used for any young girl.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/galatians/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 22 - For it is written (γέγραπται γάρ); for the Scripture saith. The phrase does not here, as it does usually, introduce the citation of a text, but prefaces a brief summary of facts; these facts being recited in words gathered out of the Septuagint Version of <a href="/genesis/16.htm">Genesis 16</a>. and 21, in much the same way as the story of Melchisedec is sketched in <a href="/hebrews/7-1.htm">Hebrews 7:1-4</a>. That Abraham had two sons (ὅτι Ἀβραὰμ δύο υἱοὺς ἔσχεν); that Abraham had gotten two sons; for ἔσχεν is not exactly equivalent to εϊχεν. Attention has been drawn to other sons born of Keturah (<a href="/genesis/25-1.htm">Genesis 25:1, 2</a>), who both in ancient and in modern days (see Windisch-mann) have been very plausibly interpreted as analogously pointing forward allegorically to those heretical bodies, now vanished, which threatened such danger to the Church in the first centuries. But the apostle's concern here is exclusively with the posture of affairs subsisting at the time of Hagar's and Ishmael's expulsion from the patriarch's family, quoted in ver. 30 from <a href="/genesis/21.htm">Genesis 21</a>. Even if he had seen fit by allegorical exposition to apply Scripture to those dire forms of utterly perverted Christianity, which he certainly did look forward to as about to arise, it is very questionable whether he would have conceded to them so venerable a parentage as having Abraham for their forefather. Mosaism in its place was a thing of Divine origin, even as Christianity itself was, both of them "covenants" of God; not so the monstrous forms of Gnostic and Manichean teaching which horrified the primitive Church. In fact, typology, that is to say, the interpretation of Old Testament Scripture as bearing a designed allegorical sense, requires very cautious handling. The tracing of analogies is an interesting and pleasing exercise of theological ingenuity; but it is one thing to trace a parallelism, and a quite different thing to detect a latent predictive sense intended by the Holy Spirit. The one by a bondmaid (e%na e)k th = paidi/skh); one by the handmaid; the expression pointing to the individual mother known from the sacred history. The word παιδίσκη in classical Greek means a girl either slave or free. In the Septuagint it is generally a slave (not, however, in <a href="/ruth/4-12.htm">Ruth 4:12</a>, where it renders the Hebrew na'arah); in the New Testament it is always a maidservant. St. Paul borrows the word from the Septuagint of <a href="/genesis/15.htm">Genesis 15</a>. and 21, where it renders the Hebrew shiphehah. Hagar was the personal property of Sarah. The other by a freewoman (καὶ ἕνα ἐκ τῆς ἐλευθέρας); and one by the freewoman. The word "freewoman" is never applied to Sarah in the story in Genesis; not even in the passage freely quoted in ver. 30; but it was an obviously true description, and with perfect fairness introduced in antithesis to Hagar. As applied to one holding so princessly a position in the story as Sarah, the idea of a freewoman stands coloured with a deep tincture of dignity. <a href="/commentaries/galatians/4-22.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. it is written γέγραπται (gegraptai) Verb - Perfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1125.htm">Strong's 1125: </a> A primary verb; to 'grave', especially to write; figuratively, to describe. that ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. Abraham Ἀβραὰμ (Abraam) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_11.htm">Strong's 11: </a> Abraham, progenitor of the Hebrew race. Of Hebrew origin; Abraham, the Hebrew patriarch. had ἔσχεν (eschen) Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2192.htm">Strong's 2192: </a> To have, hold, possess. Including an alternate form scheo skheh'-o; a primary verb; to hold. two δύο (dyo) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1417.htm">Strong's 1417: </a> Two. A primary numeral; 'two'. sons, υἱοὺς (huious) Noun - Accusative Masculine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5207.htm">Strong's 5207: </a> A son, descendent. Apparently a primary word; a 'son', used very widely of immediate, remote or figuratively, kinship. one ἕνα (hena) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. by ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive 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. slave woman παιδίσκης (paidiskēs) Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3814.htm">Strong's 3814: </a> A female slave, maidservant, maid, young girl. Feminine diminutive of pais; a girl, i.e., a female slave or servant. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. [the other] ἕνα (hena) Adjective - Accusative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1520.htm">Strong's 1520: </a> One. (including the neuter Hen); a primary numeral; one. by ἐκ (ek) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_1537.htm">Strong's 1537: </a> From out, out from among, from, suggesting from the interior outwards. A primary preposition denoting origin, from, out. the τῆς (tēs) Article - Genitive 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. free [woman]. ἐλευθέρας (eleutheras) Adjective - Genitive 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. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/galatians/4-22.htm">Galatians 4:22 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/galatians/4-22.htm">NT Letters: Galatians 4:22 For it is written that Abraham had (Gal. 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