King James Version

What Does Galatians 4:27 Mean?

Galatians 4:27 in the King James Version says “For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desolat...” — study this verse from Galatians chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“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.”

Galatians 4:27 · King James Version

Context

25

For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. answereth to: or, is in the same rank with

26

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

27

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.

28

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

29

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

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Commentaries3 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
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. Paul cites Isaiah 54:1 to support his argument. The prophet addressed exiled Israel as a barren woman who would miraculously bear many children. Paul applies this to Sarah and the church. "Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not" (euphran thē, steira hē ou tiktousa, εὐφράνθητι, στεῖρα ἡ οὐ τίκτουσα)—the barren one (Sarah, unable to conceive naturally) is commanded to rejoice.

"Break forth and cry, thou that travailest not" (rhēxon kai boēson, hē ouk ōdinousa)—shout joyfully, you who don't experience labor pains (because you don't give birth naturally). "For the desolate hath many more children than she which hath an husband" (hoti polla ta tekna tēs erēmou mallon ē tēs echousēs ton andra)—the abandoned, desolate woman (Sarah-type, the promise-covenant) has more children than the woman with a husband (Hagar-type, the law-covenant). This prophesies the gospel's success among Gentiles: multitudes of 'barren' Gentiles (outside covenant) would become God's children through faith, outnumbering ethnic Jews.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Isaiah 54:1 originally encouraged exiled Israel with promise of restoration and multiplication. Paul sees deeper fulfillment: the new covenant community, once 'barren' (Gentiles without covenant privileges), would explode with growth, far surpassing old covenant Israel's numbers. Church history validated this: Christianity spread rapidly among Gentiles, eventually encompassing far more people than Judaism ever did. The 'impossible' fertility of aged Sarah, bearing Isaac, prefigured the 'impossible' multiplication of Gentile believers through the gospel.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God specialize in bringing spiritual fruit from 'barren' situations—people and circumstances that seem spiritually dead?
  2. What barren areas of your life need to hear God's command: 'Rejoice! Break forth and cry!'?
  3. How does the global spread of the gospel among all nations fulfill God's promise that the 'desolate' would have more children than the privileged?

Compare 3 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 25 words
γέγραπται1 of 25

“it is written”

G1125

to "grave", especially to write; figuratively, to describe

γάρ2 of 25

“For”

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

Εὐφράνθητι3 of 25

“Rejoice”

G2165

to put (middle voice or passively, be) in a good frame of mind, i.e., rejoice

στεῖρα4 of 25

“thou barren”

G4723

"sterile"

ἡ5 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὐκ6 of 25

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

τίκτουσα7 of 25

“that bearest”

G5088

to produce (from seed, as a mother, a plant, the earth, etc.), literally or figuratively

ῥῆξον8 of 25

“break forth”

G4486

to "break," "wreck" or "crack", i.e., (especially) to sunder (by separation of the parts; g2608 being its intensive (with the preposition in compositi

καὶ9 of 25

“and”

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

βόησον10 of 25

“cry”

G994

to halloo, i.e., shout (for help or in a tumultuous way)

ἡ11 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

οὐκ12 of 25

“not”

G3756

the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not

ὠδίνουσα·13 of 25

“thou that travailest”

G5605

to experience the pains of parturition (literally or figuratively)

ὅτι14 of 25

“for”

G3754

demonstrative, that (sometimes redundant); causative, because

πολλὰ15 of 25

“hath many more”

G4183

(singular) much (in any respect) or (plural) many; neuter (singular) as adverbial, largely; neuter (plural) as adverb or noun often, mostly, largely

τὰ16 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τέκνα17 of 25

“children”

G5043

a child (as produced)

τῆς18 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐρήμου19 of 25

“the desolate”

G2048

lonesome, i.e., (by implication) waste (usually as a noun, g5561 being implied)

μᾶλλον20 of 25

“than”

G3123

(adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather

ἢ21 of 25
G2228

disjunctive, or; comparative, than

τῆς22 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐχούσης23 of 25

“she which hath”

G2192

to hold (used in very various applications, literally or figuratively, direct or remote; such as possession; ability, contiuity, relation, or conditio

τὸν24 of 25
G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἄνδρα25 of 25

“an husband”

G435

a man (properly as an individual male)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Galatians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Galatians 4:27 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Galatians 4:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 54:1-5Psalms 113:9Ruth 4:14-161 Samuel 2:5Ruth 1:11-131 Timothy 5:5

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