Galatians 4:22

22 It says that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman, the other by a free woman. ¹

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 How I wish I were with you now, so that I could take a different attitude toward you. I am so worried about you!

21 Let me ask those of you who want to be subject to the Law: do you not hear what the Law says?

22 It says that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman, the other by a free woman.

23 His son by the slave woman was born in the usual way, but his son by the free woman was born as a result of God's promise.

24 These things can be understood as a figure: the two women represent two covenants. The one whose children are born in slavery is Hagar, and she represents the covenant made at Mount Sinai.

Cross References

• 1. 4.22 aGenesis 16.15; bGenesis 21.2.