OET interlinear GAL 4:26

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: grammar-connect-logic-contrast

δὲ

on_the_other_hand

Here, the word But is introducing a contrast between the present Jerusalem mentioned in 4:25 and the Jerusalem above in this verse. Use a natural form in your language for introducing a contrast. Alternate translation: “On the other hand,”

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἡ & ἄνω Ἰερουσαλὴμ

¬which & above Jerusalem

The phrase the Jerusalem above refers to the heavenly city of God, which is comprised of all those who trust Jesus to save them from their sins. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the heavenly Jerusalem” or “God’s Jerusalem” or “God’s Jerusalem, which is made up of those who trust in Jesus,”

Note 3 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

ἄνω

above

Paul is describing what is heavenly (what belongs to or comes from heaven) by association with the word above, which his readers would have understood to mean “heavenly.” If it would be helpful in your language, you could use plain language.

Note 4 topic: figures-of-speech / explicit

ἐλευθέρα

free

Here, the word free refers to spiritual freedom which consists of freedom from the law of Moses and freedom from the power and condemnation of sin which results in being able to freely worship God. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that explicitly. Alternate translation: “spiritually free”

Note 5 topic: figures-of-speech / metaphor

ἥτις ἐστὶν μήτηρ ἡμῶν

who is /the/_mother ˱of˲_us

Paul uses the word mother to refer to belonging to a place as a citizen of that place and possessing the rights and privileges which belong to a citizen. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent metaphor from your culture. Alternatively, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “which is the Jerusalem to which we belong” or “which is the place to which we belong”

Note 6 topic: figures-of-speech / personification

μήτηρ ἡμῶν

/the/_mother ˱of˲_us

Paul speaks of the Jerusalem above as if it was were a mother. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express this meaning plainly.

Note 7 topic: figures-of-speech / exclusive

ἡμῶν

˱of˲_us

When Paul says our, he is speaking of all believers in Jesus, which would include himself and the Galatian believers, so our would be inclusive. Your language may require you to mark these forms.