Galatians 4:22

22 It's written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and one by the free woman.

Galatians 4:22 Meaning and Commentary

Galatians 4:22

For it is written
In ( Genesis 16:15 ) ( 21:9 )

that Abraham had two sons,
not two sons only; for besides the two referred to, he had six more, ( Genesis 25:2 ) but it being only pertinent to the apostle's purpose to take notice of these two, he mentions no more, though he does not deny that he had any more. These two sons were Ishmael and Isaac:

the one by a bondmaid.
Ishmael was by Hagar, Sarah's servant, who represented the covenant the Jewish nation was under the bondage of.

The other by a free woman.
Isaac was by Sarah, Abraham's proper and lawful wife, who was mistress of the family, and represented in figure the covenant, and Gospel church state, and all believers, Gentiles as well as Jews, as under the liberty thereof.

Galatians 4:22 In-Context

20 But I wish I could be with you now and change how I sound, because I'm at a loss about you.

21 Tell me—those of you who want to be under the Law—don't you listen to the Law?

22 It's written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and one by the free woman.

23 The son by the slave woman was conceived the normal way, but the son by the free woman was conceived through a promise.

24 These things are an allegory: the women are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, which gives birth to slave children; this is Hagar.