Galatians 4:25
For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.
Original Language Analysis
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γὰρ
For
G1063
γὰρ
For
Strong's:
G1063
Word #:
2 of 20
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
συστοιχεῖ
answereth
G4960
συστοιχεῖ
answereth
Strong's:
G4960
Word #:
10 of 20
to file together (as soldiers in ranks), i.e., (figuratively) to correspond to
τῶν
which
G3588
τῶν
which
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
12 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
νῦν
now is
G3568
νῦν
now is
Strong's:
G3568
Word #:
13 of 20
"now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate
Ἰερουσαλήμ
to Jerusalem
G2419
Ἰερουσαλήμ
to Jerusalem
Strong's:
G2419
Word #:
14 of 20
hierusalem (i.e., jerushalem), the capitol of palestine
δουλεύει
is in bondage
G1398
δουλεύει
is in bondage
Strong's:
G1398
Word #:
15 of 20
to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary)
μετὰ
with
G3326
μετὰ
with
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
Cross References
Hebrews 12:18For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest,Acts 1:11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.Psalms 68:17The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place.Psalms 68:8The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.Matthew 23:37O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!Deuteronomy 33:2And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.Luke 13:34O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!Luke 19:44And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.Galatians 1:17Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.Judges 5:5The mountains melted from before the LORD, even that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.
Historical Context
Jerusalem was Judaism's holy city, site of the temple, center of covenant worship. To claim Jerusalem represented bondage, not freedom, inverted Jewish self-understanding. Paul's point: physical Jerusalem under the old covenant, centered on law-keeping and ritual, could not produce free sons of God. Only the new covenant, centered on Christ and received by faith, brings freedom. This anticipates Hebrews's argument (Hebrews 12:18-24) contrasting Mount Sinai with Mount Zion, earthly Jerusalem with heavenly Jerusalem.
Questions for Reflection
- How does earthly religious institution—impressive, traditional, claiming divine authority—sometimes represent bondage rather than freedom?
- What's the difference between being 'children' of religious systems versus free sons of God through faith in Christ?
- Where do you look for spiritual security—external religious structures or internal reality of relationship with God through Christ?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. Paul extends the allegory geographically. "For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia" (to gar Hagar Sina oros estin en tē Arabia, τὸ γὰρ Ἅγαρ Σινᾶ ὄρος ἐστὶν ἐν τῇ Ἀραβίᾳ)—Hagar corresponds to Mount Sinai, located in Arabia (where Ishmael's descendants dwelt). Some manuscripts omit "Hagar," reading "for Sinai is a mountain in Arabia." Either way, Paul links Hagar/Ishmael/Sinai/law/Arabia.
"And answereth to Jerusalem which now is" (systoichei de tē nyn Ierousalēm, συστοιχεῖ δὲ τῇ νῦν Ἰερουσαλήμ)—it corresponds to the present Jerusalem. Systoicheō (συστοιχέω) means to stand in the same row or rank, to correspond. Present earthly Jerusalem, center of Judaism and law-observance, corresponds to Hagar and bondage. "And is in bondage with her children" (douleuei de meta tōn teknōn autēs)—she is enslaved along with her children. Those trusting in law, centered on earthly Jerusalem and physical descent, live in slavery. This was explosive: Paul declared that Judaism-as-practiced (law-righteousness) enslaved rather than freed.