Belonging To Abraham’s Kin

In this chapter, the author investigates about the place of the allegory in Paul's argument and covenant thought will take into account more recent studies on rhetorical-critical analysis, new data and renewed discussion about Second Temple Jewish covenant thought and discussion about the question whether or not we can speak of covenant theology in Paul's letters. These subjects, rhetorical-critical analysis of Paul's allegory in Galatians, the historical context of covenant thought, and the question of covenant thought or theology in Paul's letters in general, will subsequently receive attention in the order of his discussion. Before the author turns to the implications of Paul's argumentation and allegorization for our understanding of his covenant thought, he presents a few thoughts about contemporary Jewish contexts of covenant thought. Keywords:Galatians; Hagar; Jewish contexts; Paul's allegory; rhetorical-critical analysis