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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Galatians 4:26–31

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.
For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.
But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.
So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

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Reference depth

From verse 26

  1. Hebrews 12:22Rank 1 from verse 26
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    22But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels,

  2. Philippians 3:20Rank 2 from verse 26
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    20For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

  3. Revelation 21:2Rank 3 from verse 26
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    2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

  4. Micah 4:1–2Rank 4 from verse 26
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    1BUT in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

    2And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

  5. Revelation 3:12Rank 5 from verse 26
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    12Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

From verse 27

  1. Isaiah 54:1–5Rank 1 from verse 27
    Open

    1SING, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord.

    2Enlarge the place of thy tent, and let them stretch forth the curtains of thine habitations: spare not, lengthen thy cords, and strengthen thy stakes;

    3For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited.

    4Fear not; for thou shalt not be ashamed: neither be thou confounded; for thou shalt not be put to shame: for thou shalt forget the shame of thy youth, and shalt not remember the reproach of thy widowhood any more.

    5For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

  2. Psalms 113:9Rank 2 from verse 27
    Open

    9He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.

  3. Ruth 4:14–16Rank 3 from verse 27
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    14And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the Lord, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel.

    15And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.

    16And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it.

  4. 1 Samuel 2:5Rank 4 from verse 27
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    5They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble.

  5. 1 Timothy 5:5Rank 5 from verse 27
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    5Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

From verse 28

  1. Galatians 4:23Rank 1 from verse 28
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    23But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

  2. Romans 9:8–9Rank 2 from verse 28
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    8That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.

    9For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sara shall have a son.

  3. Galatians 3:29Rank 3 from verse 28
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    29And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

  4. Romans 4:13–18Rank 4 from verse 28
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    13For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

    14For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

    15Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

    16Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

    17(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

    18Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

  5. Acts 3:25Rank 5 from verse 28
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    25Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed.

From verse 29

  1. Genesis 21:9Rank 1 from verse 29
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    9¶ And Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, which she had born unto Abraham, mocking.

  2. Romans 8:13Rank 2 from verse 29
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    13For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.

  3. Galatians 5:11Rank 3 from verse 29
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    11And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased.

  4. 1 Thessalonians 2:14–15Rank 4 from verse 29
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    14For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judæa are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:

    15Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:

  5. Galatians 4:23Rank 5 from verse 29
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    23But he who was of the bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by promise.

From verse 30

  1. Genesis 21:10–12Rank 1 from verse 30
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    10Wherefore she said unto Abraham, Cast out this bondwoman and her son: for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.

    11And the thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight because of his son.

    12¶ And God said unto Abraham, Let it not be grievous in thy sight because of the lad, and because of thy bondwoman; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee, hearken unto her voice; for in Isaac shall thy seed be called.

  2. John 8:35Rank 2 from verse 30
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    35And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.

  3. Romans 8:15–17Rank 3 from verse 30
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    15For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

    16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

    17And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

  4. Galatians 3:22Rank 4 from verse 30
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    22But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

  5. Galatians 3:8Rank 5 from verse 30
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    8And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.

From verse 31

  1. Galatians 5:1Rank 1 from verse 31
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    1STAND fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

  2. Galatians 5:13Rank 2 from verse 31
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    13For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

  3. John 8:36Rank 3 from verse 31
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    36If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

  4. John 1:12–13Rank 4 from verse 31
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    12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

    13Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

  5. 1 John 3:1–2Rank 5 from verse 31
    Open

    1BEHOLD, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.

    2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Galatians 4:26

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

free

↗

Sense 1: At liberty; released or exempt from bondage, confinement, service, obligation, dominion, guilt, or other restraint. Sense 2: Unrestrained, unobstructed, or at liberty to act or proceed. Sense 3: Willing, voluntary, liberal, or unreserved. Sense 4: Given or received without price, payment, or purchase.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

mother

↗

Sense 1: A female parent. Sense 2: Figuratively, a source, chief city, or maternal relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

us

↗

The first-person plural object pronoun, referring to the speaker together with one or more others as recipients or objects of an action or relation.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Galatians 4:27

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

written

↗

Past-tense or past-participial form of write (to set down, record, or communicate in letters or writing).

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

rejoice

↗

1. To be glad, take joy, delight, or exult; to express gladness. 2. To make glad or cause to rejoice.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

thou

↗

The singular second-person subject pronoun, meaning you when directly addressing one person, being, or individually treated addressee.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

barren

↗

1. Unable to bear offspring. 2. Unproductive or unable to yield fruit or increase; desolate.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

break

↗

1. To separate, fracture, burst, or open. 2. To interrupt or violate. 3. To subdue. 4. To burst forth.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

forth

↗

1. Outward, away, or forward from a place, person, possession, or former position. 2. In constructions of bearing or producing, into birth, growth, fruit, or another stated result. 3. With verbs such as put, stretch, spread, or reach, outward by extension or exertion. 4. In constructions of showing, speaking, issuing, or displaying, into view, expression, publication, or effect. 5. Onward from a stated time or point, as in from that time forth.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

cry

↗

1. A vocal call, shout, proclamation, alarm, wail, or other utterance, often loud. 2. An earnest appeal, prayer, complaint, or outcry for help, justice, or attention. 3. As a verb, to call out, shout, proclaim, wail, appeal, pray, or complain; figuratively, to bear urgent witness or demand notice.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

desolate

↗

1. Of a place or land, left empty, uninhabited, waste, ruined, barren, or without former use and fruitfulness. 2. Of a person or people, bereft, forsaken, solitary, or left without help, comfort, family, or support. 3. As a verb, to make empty, waste, ruined, or bereft.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604

COMBINED MEANING

children

↗

Sons or daughters; descendants; or persons likened to children by age, relation, or character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

which

↗

1. An interrogative or relative pronoun identifying one or more persons or things from a stated or implied set. 2. That which; what.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

husband

↗

Sense 1: A married man in relation to his wife. Sense 2: One who manages or cultivates carefully.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Galatians 4:28

COMBINED MEANING

brethren

↗

1. Persons of the same people, tribe, community, or shared service who are regarded or addressed as brothers. 2. Persons regarded as brothers by reason of faith or another spiritual relation. 3. Male siblings or other male relatives.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

children

↗

Sons or daughters; descendants; or persons likened to children by age, relation, or character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

promise

↗

Sense 1: An assurance or pledge that something will be done or given. Sense 2: That which is promised. Sense 3: To give such an assurance or pledge.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Galatians 4:29

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

after

↗

1. Later than or following in time or order. 2. Behind. 3. In pursuit of.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

flesh

↗

Sense 1: The soft substance of the body. Sense 2: The body, human nature, kindred, or mankind.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

persecuted

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of persecute, meaning to pursue, harass, or oppress.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

spirit

↗

Sense 1: An immaterial living or personal being distinct from a body. Sense 2: The inward life, disposition, mind, or courage of a person. Sense 3: The Holy Spirit, the divine Spirit of God.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

even

↗

1. Used to emphasize, include, or precisely identify what is meant: indeed, precisely, or namely. 2. Used to mark a boundary, endpoint, or full reach in place, time, or degree: up to, as far as, or through. 3. In ‘even as,’ ‘even so,’ and like constructions, just as, exactly so, or in the same manner. 4. The evening, or close of day. 5. Equal, level, identical, balanced, or uniform.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Galatians 4:30

COMBINED MEANING

scripture

↗

The sacred writing or writings given by inspiration of God, whether taken collectively or as a particular passage.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references · Cawdrey 1604 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

cast

↗

1. To throw, send, put, lay, or direct a person or thing into, upon, around, toward, or away from a place, or into a stated condition. 2. To put away, reject, expel, remove, overthrow, or bring down. 3. To put forth or use a lot for choosing, dividing, or assigning. 4. To form an object by pouring molten material into a mould. 5. To shed, drop, or bring forth young, fruit, leaves, or flowers. 6. To raise, form, or prepare a bank, mount, trench, or way. 7. In "cast ... in his teeth," to reproach or charge something against him. 8. As a noun, the distance something may be thrown.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

out

↗

Outside, away from within, forth, absent, or no longer in a stated condition.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

son

↗

1. A male child or descendant. 2. One belonging to, related to, or characterized by the person, people, place, condition, or quality named.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

for

↗

1. In behalf of or in the place of. 2. With respect to, concerning, or toward. 3. Because of or on account of. 4. During or throughout. 5. In order to obtain or reach. 6. As a conjunction, because or seeing that.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

heir

↗

One entitled or appointed to receive an inheritance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

DEFINED WORDS

Galatians 4:31

COMBINED MEANING

brethren

↗

1. Persons of the same people, tribe, community, or shared service who are regarded or addressed as brothers. 2. Persons regarded as brothers by reason of faith or another spiritual relation. 3. Male siblings or other male relatives.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

children

↗

Sons or daughters; descendants; or persons likened to children by age, relation, or character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

free

↗

Sense 1: At liberty; released or exempt from bondage, confinement, service, obligation, dominion, guilt, or other restraint. Sense 2: Unrestrained, unobstructed, or at liberty to act or proceed. Sense 3: Willing, voluntary, liberal, or unreserved. Sense 4: Given or received without price, payment, or purchase.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

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Surrounding Verses

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25For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.

26But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the mother of us all.

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27For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband.

Selected passage

28Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Selected passage

29But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.

Selected passage

30Nevertheless what saith the scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.

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31So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.

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