Galatians 4:1

biblecontext

{ "verseID": "Galatians.4.1", "source": "¶Λέγω δέ, ἐφʼ ὅσον χρόνον ὁ κληρονόμος, νήπιός ἐστιν, οὐδὲν διαφέρει δούλου, κύριος πάντων ὤν·", "text": "I *legō* *de*, for as much *chronos* the *klēronomos*, *nēpios* *estin*, nothing *diapherei* from *doulos*, *kyrios* of all *ōn*", "grammar": { "*legō*": "present indicative active, 1st person singular - I say/speak", "*de*": "postpositive particle - but/and/now", "*chronos*": "accusative, masculine, singular - time/period", "*klēronomos*": "nominative, masculine, singular - heir", "*nēpios*": "nominative, masculine, singular - infant/minor/immature person", "*estin*": "present indicative, 3rd person singular - is", "*diapherei*": "present indicative active, 3rd person singular - differs/distinguishes", "*doulos*": "genitive, masculine, singular - slave/servant", "*kyrios*": "nominative, masculine, singular - lord/master/owner", "*ōn*": "present participle, nominative, masculine, singular - being" }, "variants": { "*legō*": "say/speak/tell", "*de*": "but/and/now (transitional)", "*chronos*": "time/duration/period", "*klēronomos*": "heir/inheritor", "*nēpios*": "infant/child/minor/immature person", "*diapherei*": "differs/distinguishes/excels", "*doulos*": "slave/servant/bondservant", "*kyrios*": "lord/master/owner", "*ōn*": "being/existing/while being" } }

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

¶Λέγω δέ, ἐφʼ ὅσον χρόνον ὁ κληρονόμος, νήπιός ἐστιν, οὐδὲν διαφέρει δούλου, κύριος πάντων ὤν·

Transliteration

I legō de, for as much chronos the klēronomos, nēpios estin, nothing diapherei from doulos, kyrios of all ōn

Grammar Details

• *legō*: present indicative active, 1st person singular - I say/speak
• *de*: postpositive particle - but/and/now
• *chronos*: accusative, masculine, singular - time/period
• *klēronomos*: nominative, masculine, singular - heir
• *nēpios*: nominative, masculine, singular - infant/minor/immature person
• *estin*: present indicative, 3rd person singular - is
• *diapherei*: present indicative active, 3rd person singular - differs/distinguishes
• *doulos*: genitive, masculine, singular - slave/servant
• *kyrios*: nominative, masculine, singular - lord/master/owner
• *ōn*: present participle, nominative, masculine, singular - being

Word Meanings

• *legō*: say/speak/tell
• *de*: but/and/now (transitional)
• *chronos*: time/duration/period
• *klēronomos*: heir/inheritor
• *nēpios*: infant/child/minor/immature person
• *diapherei*: differs/distinguishes/excels
• *doulos*: slave/servant/bondservant
• *kyrios*: lord/master/owner
• *ōn*: being/existing/while being

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  I say that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, even though he is the master of everything.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

• KJV1611 – Modern English

  Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, is no different from a servant, though he is lord of all;

• King James Version 1611 (Original)

  Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  But{G1161} I say{G3004} that so long{G5550} as{G3745} the heir{G1909} is{G2076} a{G5550} child,{G3516} he differeth{G1308} nothing{G3762} from{G1308} a bondservant{G1401} though{G1401} he is lord{G2962} of all;{G3956}

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  Now{G1161} I say{G3004}{(G5719)}, That the heir{G2818}, as long as{G1909}{G3745}{G5550} he is{G2076}{(G5748)} a child{G3516}, differeth{G1308}{(G5719)} nothing{G3762} from a servant{G1401}, though he be{G5607}{(G5752)} lord{G2962} of all{G3956};

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  And I saye that the heyre as longe as he is a chylde differth not from a servaunt though he be Lorde of

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  But I saye: As longe as the heyre is a childe, there is no difference betwene him and a seruaunt, though he be lorde of all ye goodes:

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Then I say, that the heire as long as hee is a childe, differeth nothing fro a seruant, though he be Lord of all,

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  And I say, that the heyre, as long as he is a chylde, differeth nothyng from a seruaut, though he be Lorde of all,

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  ¶ Now I say, [That] the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all;

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  And I say, so long time as the heir is a babe, he differeth nothing from a servant -- being lord of all,

• American Standard Version (1901)

  But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all;

• American Standard Version (1901)

  But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he differeth nothing from a bondservant though he is lord of all;

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  But I say that as long as the son is a child, he is in no way different from a servant, though he is lord of all;

• World English Bible (2000)

  But I say that so long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a bondservant, though he is lord of all;

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  Now I mean that the heir, as long as he is a minor, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything.

Referenced Verses

• Gal 4:23 : 23 { "verseID": "Galatians.4.23", "source": "Ἀλλʼ ὁ μὲν ἐκ τῆς παιδίσκης κατὰ σάρκα γεγέννηται· ὁ δὲ ἐκ τῆς ἐλευθέρας διὰ τὴς ἐπαγγελίας.", "text": "But the *men* from the *paidiskēs kata sarka gegennētai*; the *de* from the *eleutheras dia* the *epangelias*", "grammar": { "*men*": "particle - on the one hand/indeed", "*paidiskēs*": "genitive, feminine, singular - female slave/servant", "*kata*": "preposition with accusative - according to", "*sarka*": "accusative, feminine, singular - flesh", "*gegennētai*": "perfect passive indicative, 3rd person singular - has been born", "*de*": "particle - on the other hand/but", "*eleutheras*": "genitive, feminine, singular - free woman", "*dia*": "preposition with genitive - through", "*epangelias*": "genitive, feminine, singular - promise" }, "variants": { "*paidiskēs*": "female slave/servant/bondwoman", "*kata*": "according to/by way of", "*sarka*": "flesh/human effort/natural means", "*gegennētai*": "has been born/begotten", "*eleutheras*": "free woman/free female", "*dia*": "through/by means of/because of", "*epangelias*": "promise/announcement" } }
• Gal 4:29 : 29 { "verseID": "Galatians.4.29", "source": "Ἀλλʼ ὥσπερ τότε ὁ κατὰ σάρκα γεννηθεὶς ἐδίωκε τὸν κατὰ Πνεῦμα, οὕτως καὶ νῦν.", "text": "But *hōsper tote* the *kata sarka gennētheis ediōke* the one *kata Pneuma*, *houtōs* also now", "grammar": { "*hōsper*": "conjunction - just as/even as", "*tote*": "adverb - then/at that time", "*kata*": "preposition with accusative - according to", "*sarka*": "accusative, feminine, singular - flesh", "*gennētheis*": "aorist passive participle, nominative, masculine, singular - having been born", "*ediōke*": "imperfect active indicative, 3rd person singular - was persecuting", "*Pneuma*": "accusative, neuter, singular - Spirit", "*houtōs*": "adverb - thus/in this manner" }, "variants": { "*hōsper*": "just as/even as/like", "*tote*": "then/at that time/formerly", "*kata*": "according to/by way of", "*sarka*": "flesh/human nature/natural descent", "*gennētheis*": "having been born/begotten", "*ediōke*": "was persecuting/pursuing/harassing", "*Pneuma*": "Spirit/spirit" } }
• Gen 24:2-3 : 2 { "verseID": "Genesis.24.2", "source": "וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אַבְרָהָ֗ם אֶל־עַבְדּוֹ֙ זְקַ֣ן בֵּית֔וֹ הַמֹּשֵׁ֖ל בְּכָל־אֲשֶׁר־ל֑וֹ שִֽׂים־נָ֥א יָדְךָ֖ תַּ֥חַת יְרֵכִֽי׃", "text": "*wayyōʾmer* *ʾaḇrāhām* *ʾel-ʿaḇdô* *zəqan* *bêṯô* *hammōšēl* *bəḵāl-ʾăšer-lô* *śîm-nāʾ* *yāḏḵā* *taḥaṯ* *yərēḵî*", "grammar": { "*wayyōʾmer*": "Qal imperfect consecutive, 3rd masculine singular - and he said", "*ʾaḇrāhām*": "proper noun, masculine singular - Abraham", "*ʾel-*": "preposition - to", "*ʿaḇdô*": "noun, masculine singular construct with 3rd masculine singular suffix - his servant", "*zəqan*": "adjective construct - elder of", "*bêṯô*": "noun, masculine singular construct with 3rd masculine singular suffix - his house", "*hammōšēl*": "definite article + Qal participle, masculine singular - the one ruling", "*bəḵāl-*": "preposition + noun, masculine singular construct - over all", "*ʾăšer-lô*": "relative pronoun + preposition with 3rd masculine singular suffix - that was to him", "*śîm-nāʾ*": "Qal imperative, masculine singular + particle of entreaty - place please", "*yāḏḵā*": "noun, feminine singular construct with 2nd masculine singular suffix - your hand", "*taḥaṯ*": "preposition - under", "*yərēḵî*": "noun, feminine singular construct with 1st singular suffix - my thigh" }, "variants": { "*zəqan* *bêṯô*": "eldest of his house/oldest servant of his household", "*hammōšēl* *bəḵāl-ʾăšer-lô*": "who ruled over all that he had/who managed everything he owned", "*taḥaṯ* *yərēḵî*": "under my thigh/beneath my loins (euphemism for oath-taking gesture)" } } 3 { "verseID": "Genesis.24.3", "source": "וְאַשְׁבִּ֣יעֲךָ֔ בּֽ͏ַיהוָה֙ אֱלֹהֵ֣י הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם וֽ͏ֵאלֹהֵ֖י הָאָ֑רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹֽא־תִקַּ֤ח אִשָּׁה֙ לִבְנִ֔י מִבְּנוֹת֙ הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר אָנֹכִ֖י יוֹשֵׁ֥ב בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ׃", "text": "*wəʾašbîʿăḵā* *bayhwh* *ʾĕlōhê* *haššāmayim* *wēʾlōhê* *hāʾāreṣ* *ʾăšer* *lōʾ-tiqqaḥ* *ʾiššāh* *liḇnî* *mibbənôṯ* *hakkənaʿănî* *ʾăšer* *ʾānōḵî* *yôšēḇ* *bəqirbô*", "grammar": { "*wəʾašbîʿăḵā*": "conjunction + Hiphil imperfect, 1st singular with 2nd masculine singular suffix - and I will make you swear", "*bayhwh*": "preposition + proper noun - by YHWH", "*ʾĕlōhê*": "noun, masculine plural construct - God of", "*haššāmayim*": "definite article + noun, masculine dual - the heavens", "*wēʾlōhê*": "conjunction + noun, masculine plural construct - and God of", "*hāʾāreṣ*": "definite article + noun, feminine singular - the earth", "*ʾăšer*": "relative particle - that", "*lōʾ-tiqqaḥ*": "negative particle + Qal imperfect, 2nd masculine singular - you shall not take", "*ʾiššāh*": "noun, feminine singular - woman/wife", "*liḇnî*": "preposition + noun, masculine singular construct with 1st singular suffix - for my son", "*mibbənôṯ*": "preposition + noun, feminine plural construct - from daughters of", "*hakkənaʿănî*": "definite article + proper noun, masculine singular - the Canaanite", "*ʾăšer*": "relative particle - whom", "*ʾānōḵî*": "personal pronoun, 1st singular - I", "*yôšēḇ*": "Qal participle, masculine singular - dwelling", "*bəqirbô*": "preposition + noun, masculine singular construct with 3rd masculine singular suffix - in his midst" }, "variants": { "*wəʾašbîʿăḵā*": "I will make you swear/I will put you under oath", "*ʾĕlōhê* *haššāmayim* *wēʾlōhê* *hāʾāreṣ*": "God of heaven and God of earth/Creator of heaven and earth", "*bəqirbô*": "in his midst/among them/in their territory" } }
• 2 Kgs 10:1-2 : 1 { "verseID": "2 Kings.10.1", "source": "וּלְאַחְאָ֛ב שִׁבְעִ֥ים בָּנִ֖ים בְּשֹׁמְר֑וֹן וַיִּכְתֹּב֩ יֵה֨וּא סְפָרִ֜ים וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח שֹׁמְר֗וֹן אֶל־שָׂרֵ֤י יִזְרְעֶאל֙ הַזְּקֵנִ֔ים וְאֶל־הָאֹמְנִ֥ים אַחְאָ֖ב לֵאמֹֽר", "text": "*wə-lə-ʾAḥʾāb* seventy *bānîm* in *Šōmərôn*, *wayyiktōb* *Yēhûʾ* *səpārîm* *wayyišlaḥ* *Šōmərôn* to-*śārê* *Yizrəʿeʾl* the-*zəqēnîm* and-to-the-*ʾōmənîm* *ʾAḥʾāb* *lēʾmōr*", "grammar": { "*wə-lə-ʾAḥʾāb*": "conjunction + preposition + proper noun - and to Ahab", "*bānîm*": "masculine plural noun - sons", "*Šōmərôn*": "proper noun - Samaria", "*wayyiktōb*": "waw consecutive + qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular - and he wrote", "*Yēhûʾ*": "proper noun - Jehu", "*səpārîm*": "masculine plural noun - letters/documents", "*wayyišlaḥ*": "waw consecutive + qal imperfect 3rd masculine singular - and he sent", "*śārê*": "masculine construct plural noun - rulers/officials of", "*Yizrəʿeʾl*": "proper noun - Jezreel", "*zəqēnîm*": "masculine plural adjective - elders", "*ʾōmənîm*": "masculine plural participle - guardians/caretakers of", "*lēʾmōr*": "preposition + qal infinitive construct - saying" }, "variants": { "*śārê*": "rulers/officials/princes/commanders", "*ʾōmənîm*": "guardians/caretakers/nurses/those who raised" } } 2 { "verseID": "2 Kings.10.2", "source": "וְעַתָּ֗ה כְּבֹ֨א הַסֵּ֤פֶר הַזֶּה֙ אֲלֵיכֶ֔ם וְאִתְּכֶ֖ם בְּנֵ֣י אֲדֹנֵיכֶ֑ם וְאִתְּכֶם֙ הָרֶ֣כֶב וְהַסּוּסִ֔ים וְעִ֥יר מִבְצָ֖ר וְהַנָּֽשֶׁק", "text": "*wə-ʿattāh* when-*kəbōʾ* the-*sēper* the-*zeh* to-you, and-with-you *bənê* *ʾădōnêkem*, and-with-you the-*rekeb* and-the-*sûsîm*, and-*ʿîr* *mibṣār* and-the-*nāšeq*", "grammar": { "*wə-ʿattāh*": "conjunction + adverb - and now", "*kəbōʾ*": "preposition + qal infinitive construct - upon coming/when comes", "*sēper*": "masculine singular noun - letter/document", "*zeh*": "masculine singular demonstrative pronoun - this", "*bənê*": "masculine construct plural noun - sons of", "*ʾădōnêkem*": "masculine plural noun + 2nd masculine plural suffix - your masters/lords", "*rekeb*": "masculine singular noun - chariot(s)/chariotry", "*sûsîm*": "masculine plural noun - horses", "*ʿîr*": "feminine singular noun - city", "*mibṣār*": "masculine singular noun - fortification/stronghold", "*nāšeq*": "masculine singular noun - weapons/armor" }, "variants": { "*rekeb*": "chariot(s)/chariotry/vehicles", "*ʿîr mibṣār*": "fortified city/stronghold" } }
• 2 Kgs 11:12 : 12 { "verseID": "2 Kings.11.12", "source": "וַיּוֹצִ֣א אֶת־בֶּן־הַמֶּ֗לֶךְ וַיִּתֵּ֤ן עָלָיו֙ אֶת־הַנֵּ֙זֶר֙ וְאֶת־הָ֣עֵד֔וּת וַיַּמְלִ֥כוּ אֹת֖וֹ וַיִּמְשָׁחֻ֑הוּ וַיַּכּוּ־כָ֔ף וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ יְחִ֥י הַמֶּֽלֶךְ׃ ס", "text": "And *wayyôṣîʾ* *ʾet*-son-of-the-king and *wayyittēn* upon-him *ʾet*-the-*nēzer* and *ʾet*-the-*ʿēdût* and *wayyamlîkû* him and *wayyimšāḥûhû*; and *wayyakkû*-*kāp* and *wayyōʾmərû* *yəḥî* the-king.", "grammar": { "*wayyôṣîʾ*": "verb, hiphil imperfect consecutive, 3rd masculine singular - and he brought out", "*ʾet-ben-hammelek*": "direct object marker + noun, masculine singular construct + definite article + noun, masculine singular - the son of the king", "*wayyittēn*": "verb, qal imperfect consecutive, 3rd masculine singular - and he put", "*ʿālāyw*": "preposition with 3rd masculine singular suffix - upon him", "*ʾet-hannēzer*": "direct object marker + definite article + noun, masculine singular - the crown/diadem", "*wəʾet-hāʿēdût*": "conjunction + direct object marker + definite article + noun, feminine singular - and the testimony", "*wayyamlîkû*": "verb, hiphil imperfect consecutive, 3rd masculine plural - and they made king", "*ʾōtô*": "direct object marker with 3rd masculine singular suffix - him", "*wayyimšāḥûhû*": "verb, qal imperfect consecutive, 3rd masculine plural with 3rd masculine singular suffix - and they anointed him", "*wayyakkû-kāp*": "verb, hiphil imperfect consecutive, 3rd masculine plural + noun, feminine singular - and they clapped palm(s)", "*wayyōʾmərû*": "verb, qal imperfect consecutive, 3rd masculine plural - and they said", "*yəḥî*": "verb, qal jussive, 3rd masculine singular - may he live", "*hammelek*": "definite article + noun, masculine singular - the king" }, "variants": { "*nēzer*": "crown, diadem, consecration, separation", "*ʿēdût*": "testimony, witness, evidence, possibly covenant document", "*wayyamlîkû*": "made king, crowned, caused to reign", "*wayyimšāḥûhû*": "anointed him, consecrated him with oil", "*wayyakkû-kāp*": "clapped hands/palms, applauded", "*yəḥî hammelek*": "Long live the king, May the king live" } }
• 2 Kgs 12:2 : 2 { "verseID": "2Kings.12.2", "source": "בִּשְׁנַת־שֶׁ֤בַע לְיֵהוּא֙ מָלַ֣ךְ יְהוֹאָ֔שׁ וְאַרְבָּעִ֣ים שָׁנָ֔ה מָלַ֖ךְ בִּירֽוּשָׁלָ֑͏ִם וְשֵׁ֣ם אִמּ֔וֹ צִבְיָ֖ה מִבְּאֵ֥ר שָֽׁבַע׃", "text": "*Bišnaṯ-šeḇaʿ lYēhûʾ mālaḵ Yəhôʾāš wəʾarbāʿîm šānâ mālaḵ bîrûšālāim wəšēm ʾimmô Ṣiḇyâ miBəʾēr šāḇaʿ*", "grammar": { "*Bišnaṯ-šeḇaʿ*": "preposition + construct state - in year of seven", "*lYēhûʾ*": "preposition + proper name - to/for/of Jehu", "*mālaḵ*": "Qal perfect 3rd masculine singular - reigned/became king", "*wəʾarbāʿîm*": "conjunction + number - and forty", "*šānâ*": "feminine singular - year", "*bîrûšālāim*": "preposition + proper name - in Jerusalem", "*wəšēm*": "conjunction + masculine noun construct - and name of", "*ʾimmô*": "feminine noun + 3ms suffix - his mother", "*miBəʾēr šāḇaʿ*": "preposition + proper name - from Beer-sheba" }, "variants": { "*Bišnaṯ-šeḇaʿ lYēhûʾ*": "in the seventh year of Jehu", "*mālaḵ*": "became king/began to reign" } }