“For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children.”
Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. — the geographical and temporal extension of the allegory: Hagar/Sinai correspond to Jerusalem as it now exists ('he nyn Ierousalēm'), which is in enslavement ('douleia'), presumably through its commitment to Torah and national hope that excludes Gentiles.
Church Fathers on Galatians 4:25
“Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia:” The bond-woman was called Hagar, and “Hagar” is the word for Mount Sinai in the language of that country. So that it is necessary that all who are born of the Old Covenant should be bondmen, for that mountain where the Old Covenant was delivered has a name in common with the bondwoman. And it includes Jerusalem, for this is the meaning of, “And answers to Jerusalem that now is.” That is, it borders on, and is contiguous to…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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