Galatians 4:22

22 For it is written that Abraham had two sonnes ye one by a bonde mayde the other by a fre 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 I wolde I were with you now and coulde chaunge my voyce: for I stonde in a doute of you

21 Tell me ye that desyre to be vnder the lawe have ye not hearde of the lawe?

22 For it is written that Abraham had two sonnes ye one by a bonde mayde the other by a fre woman.

23 Yee and he which was of the bonde woman was borne after the flesshe: but he which was of the fre woman was borne by promes.

24 Which thinges betoken mystery. For these wemen are two testamentes the one fro the mounte Sina which gendreth vnto bondage which is Agar.