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Galatians 4:22

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Galatians 4:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman.
Galatians 4:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Galatians 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
19My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you--
20but I could wish to be present with you now, and to change my tone; for I am perplexed about you.
21Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
22For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman.
23Howbeit the [son] by the handmaid is born after the flesh; but the [son] by the freewoman [is born] through promise.
24Which things contain an allegory: for these [women] are two covenants; one from mount Sinai, bearing children unto bondage, which is Hagar.
25Now this Hagar is mount Sinai in Arabia and answereth to the Jerusalem that now is: for she is in bondage with her children.
← Galatians 4:21Galatians 4:23 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For it is written, etc..] In (<011615>Genesis 16:15 21:9) that Abraham had two sons, not two sons only; for besides the two referred to, he had six more, (<012502>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,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Gen 16:3-16; Gen 21:2). Abraham--whose sons ye wish to be (compare Rom 9:7-9). a bond maid . . . a free woman--rather, as Greek, "the bond maid . . . the free woman."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“For it is written - Genesis 16:0; Genesis 21:0. Abraham had two sons - Ishmael and Isaac. Abraham subsequently had several sons by Keturah after the death of Sarah; Genesis 26:1-6. But the two sons by Hagar and Sarah were the most prominent, and the events of their lives furnished the particular illustration which Paul desired. The one by a bond-maid - Ishmael, the son of Hagar. Hagar was an Egyptian slave, whom Sarah gave to Abraham in order that he might not be wholly without posterity; Genesis 16:3. The other by a free woman - Isaac, the son of Sarah; Genesis 21:1-2. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Gen 21:2, Gen 21:9. Galatians 4:23”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:22-23 The son of the slave wife was Ishmael, born to Sarah’s servant Hagar (see Gen 16:15). Sarah gave Hagar to Abraham in a human attempt to obtain the heir (see Gen 16:1-4) that God had promised (see Gen 15:1-6). Sarah’s son, Isaac, was the son of the freeborn wife (see Gen 21:2-3); he was miraculously conceived as God’s own fulfillment of his promise (see Gen 17:15-21).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“that: Gen 16:2-4, Gen 16:15, Gen 21:1, Gen 21:2, Gen 21:10 Galatians 4:23”
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Related study paths

Read Galatians 4 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification