Galatians 4:24

which things are an allegory Rather, -Now all these things may be regarded as an allegory". The facts are historical, but they are types (1 Corinthians 10:11) calculated and intended to teach great spiritual truths, and they have their counterparts in the facts (equally historical) of the Gospel dispensation. We generally regard an allegory as a fictitiousnarrative. It may be so, as Bunyan's Pilgrims" Progress; but there is no indication in St Paul's language that he dissented from the common belief among the Jews that the narrative in Genesis was historical [29].

[29] Dr Johnson defines an allegory as -a figurative discourse in which something other is intended than is contained in the words literally taken". By the examples which he gives he seems to confound it with -a metaphor".

for these are the two covenants Rather, -for these (women) are two covenants (or dispensations)".

the one from the mount Sinai -one from Mount Sinai". We should have expected, -and the other from Mount Sion, answering to the heavenly Jerusalem, bearing children into liberty, and this is Sara"; but the explanatory clauses which follow interrupt the construction, which is resumed in Galatians 4:26, -but Jerusalem which is above &c."

which gendereth to bondage Better, bearing children into bondage.

which is Agar -and this is (typified by) Hagar".