ἀλληγορέω (allēgoreō)
allēgoreō
to use an analogy
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb allēgoreō means to speak in an allegory, deriving from roots that combine "other" with "to speak in the assembly." In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Galatians 4:24, where Paul explicitly states that these things serve as an allegory. This rare usage highlights a specific interpretive method rather than a general literary style.
Paul uses this term to describe how the story of Hagar and Sarah functions on two levels simultaneously. He does not mean the historical events were false, but that they carry a deeper spiritual significance for his readers. The word signals a shift from the literal narrative to its symbolic meaning, allowing the audience to see contemporary theological truths embedded in ancient history.
Because it is unique in the New Testament, the word anchors Paul’s argument in Galatians 4 with precision. It distinguishes his method from simple metaphor or illustration, pointing instead to a structured parallel between two narratives. This single occurrence remains a key reference for understanding how early Christian writers engaged with Old Testament texts.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word allēgoreō appears only once in the New Testament, found in Galatians 4:24. Paul uses it to explain how the story of Sarah and Hagar works on two levels at the same time. He does not suggest the events were fake. Instead, he shows that history can hold a deeper spiritual meaning for believers today.
This approach invites us to look beyond the surface of biblical narratives. When we read Scripture, we are not just studying ancient records. We are seeing how God’s past actions speak to our current faith. Paul helps his readers understand that the old covenants point toward the freedom found in Christ.
For your daily walk, this reminds us that God is speaking through history. The stories we read are not closed books. They are living words that guide us toward truth. As you study the Bible, trust that God uses these accounts to shape your heart and mind.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- allegorized;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- ἀλληγορούμενα·1×
Key Verses
-
Galatians 4:24
These things contain an allegory, for these are two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai, bearing children to bondage, which is Hagar.
Paul explicitly identifies the narrative of Hagar and Sarah as an allegory to distinguish between the covenant of law and the covenant of promise.