Galatians 4:24
Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar.
Original Language Analysis
ἥτις
Which things
G3748
ἥτις
Which things
Strong's:
G3748
Word #:
1 of 20
which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same
αὗται
these
G3778
αὗται
these
Strong's:
G3778
Word #:
4 of 20
the he (she or it), i.e., this or that (often with article repeated)
γάρ
for
G1063
γάρ
for
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
5 of 20
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
αἱ
G3588
αἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
διαθῆκαι
covenants
G1242
διαθῆκαι
covenants
Strong's:
G1242
Word #:
9 of 20
properly, a disposition, i.e., (specially) a contract (especially a devisory will)
μὲν
G3303
μὲν
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
11 of 20
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
ἀπὸ
from
G575
ἀπὸ
from
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
12 of 20
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
εἰς
to
G1519
εἰς
to
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
15 of 20
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
γεννῶσα
which gendereth
G1080
γεννῶσα
which gendereth
Strong's:
G1080
Word #:
17 of 20
to procreate (properly, of the father, but by extension of the mother); figuratively, to regenerate
ἥτις
Which things
G3748
ἥτις
Which things
Strong's:
G3748
Word #:
18 of 20
which some, i.e., any that; also (definite) which same
Cross References
1 Corinthians 10:11Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.Matthew 13:35That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.Genesis 16:8And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.Genesis 25:12Now these are the generations of Ishmael, Abraham's son, whom Hagar the Egyptian, Sarah's handmaid, bare unto Abraham:Galatians 4:25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.Hosea 11:10They shall walk after the LORD: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west.Hebrews 13:20Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,Hebrews 12:24And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.Hebrews 7:22By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.Hebrews 11:19Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.
Historical Context
Paul's equation of Sinai/law with Hagar/slavery would have scandalized Jewish readers. The law was God's gracious gift to Israel (Psalm 119), the foundation of covenant relationship. Paul doesn't deny the law's divine origin or temporary validity but insists it produces bondage when treated as means of righteousness. The old covenant, glorious in its time (2 Corinthians 3:7), is now obsolete (Hebrews 8:13), replaced by the new covenant in Christ. To insist on the old when the new has come is to choose Hagar over Sarah, slavery over freedom.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you respond to Paul's radical claim that the Mosaic covenant leads to slavery rather than freedom?
- What's the difference between honoring Old Testament law as God's revelation versus treating it as means of righteousness?
- In what ways does law-based religion produce slavery—to anxiety, pride, performance, judgment—rather than freedom?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. Paul explicitly identifies his interpretive method. "Which things are an allegory" (hatina estin allēgoroumena, ἅτινά ἐστιν ἀλληγορούμενα)—these things are being allegorized, spoken as allegory. Allēgoreō (ἀλληγορέω) means to speak figuratively, finding spiritual meaning beyond literal history. Paul doesn't deny historical reality but sees deeper theological significance.
"For these are the two covenants" (hautai gar eisin dyo diathēkai, αὗται γάρ εἰσιν δύο διαθῆκαι)—Hagar and Sarah represent two covenants. "The one from the mount Sinai" (mia men apo orous Sina)—the Mosaic covenant given at Sinai. "Which gendereth to bondage" (eis douleian gennōsa, εἰς δουλείαν γεννῶσα)—bearing children into slavery. Law produces slaves, not free sons. "Which is Agar" (hētis estin Hagar, ἥτις ἐστὶν Ἅγαρ)—this covenant is represented by Hagar, the slave woman. Paul's shocking claim: the Sinai covenant, which the Judaizers revered, corresponds to slavery, not freedom.