The Figure of Hagar in Ancient Judaism and Galatians

by Ryan Heinsch

Book cover: The Figure of Hagar in Ancient Judaism and Galatians

Extent: 275 pages

Publisher: Mohr Siebeck

Subjects: Ancient Near East, Biblical Studies, Jewish Studies

Series: Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum Neuen Testament 2.Reihe

Series volume number: 579

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(October 2022)

ISBN: 9783161617898

9.09 x 6.06 inches

Price: $112.00

In stock

This study considers Paul’s portrayal of Hagar in Gal 4:21-31 and argues that Paul stands in continuity with ancient Judaism in that he portrays Hagar and her descendants as non-Jews. As a result, the author demonstrates that the passage in Galatians is an allegory Paul develops about the experience of gentiles.


To date, scholarly study of the allegory of Hagar and Sarah in Galatians 4:21-31 has not paid adequate attention to the way Paul’s use of the story – chiefly in relation to the figure of Hagar – can be located within streams of ancient Jewish tradition. In this study, Ryan Heinsch fills this scholarly gap by considering Paul’s allegorical portrayal of the figure of Hagar in Galatians 4:21-31 within the context of ancient Judaism. The author argues that Paul stands in continuity with – rather than against – ancient Judaism in that he, like other Jews in antiquity, portrays Hagar and her descendants as non-Jews. As a result, the author demonstrates further that Galatians 4:21-31 is not to be read as a polemic against Jews, Jewish Christ-followers, or the continuing validity of the Jewish law (as is common among interpreters), but rather, that Galatians 4:21-31 is an allegory Paul develops about the experience of gentiles in general and the once pagan Galatian gentiles in particular.

  • By (author) Ryan Heinsch