"For it is written, Rejoice, {thou} barren that bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the desol…" — Galatians 4:27

Galatians 4:27 · KJV

“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

Verse 26

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

Verse 28

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

Galatians 4 — Context

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}

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.

Cross References

Isaiah 54:1-5

Sing, 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.

Psalms 113:9

He maketh the barren woman to keep house, {and to be} a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD. {to keep...: Heb. to dwell in an house}

Ruth 4:14-16

And 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. {left...: Heb. caused to cease unto thee} {kinsman: or, redeemer}

1 Samuel 2:5

{They 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.

1 Timothy 5:5

Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.

Ruth 1:11-13

And Naomi said, Turn again, my daughters: why will ye go with me? {are} there yet {any more} sons in my womb, that they may be your husbands?

2 Samuel 13:20

And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he {is} thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house. {Amnon: Heb. Aminon} {regard...: Heb. set not thy heart} {desolate: Heb. and desolate}

Isaiah 49:21

Then shalt thou say in thine heart, Who hath begotten me these, seeing I have lost my children, and am desolate, a captive, and removing to and fro? and who hath brought up these? Behold, I was left alone; these, where {had} they {been}?