What Does John 4:15 Mean in the King James?
The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
She asks for water that ends not only thirst, but the repeated labor of returning to draw it.
THE MEANING
Thirst is not the only burden here; the repeated return to draw is part of what the reader longs to leave behind. The request reaches beyond brief relief toward a source that ends the cycle of coming back for more. The next verse describes that source as water springing up within the one who receives it.
THE ROOT
ἀντλῆσαι
antlēsai
GROWS FROM
ἀντλ-
antl-
To draw or bail liquid.
“draw” in this verse is antlēsai. The verb names the concrete work of drawing water, and its related noun ἄντλημα names the implement for doing it. Her request reaches beyond thirst to the repeated work that brings water to her.
ALSO GROWS
antlēma: A drawing implement or bucket.
ἄντλημα
The related noun appears in her earlier question about having nothing to draw with, tying this request to the same task.
antlia: A vessel or pump used to draw liquid.
ἀντλία
This related word keeps the root connected to the means and labor of drawing water.
δός
dos
GROWS FROM
δο-/δω- (do-/dō-)
To give or grant.
The imperative makes the water something she asks another to give. Related words name what is given as a gift, so her own phrasing already presents the water as received provision.
ALSO GROWS
dōron: A gift.
δῶρον
This related word shows the gift sense carried by the act of giving she requests.
dōrea: A gift or free gift.
δωρεά
The same giving family keeps the focus on provision received, rather than provision she draws herself.
THE PATTERN
Thirst is met by an invitation to receive water as a gift.
Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.THE THREAD
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?The noun translated “to draw with” shares its root with the verb “to draw” in this verse. Her request shifts from asking how Jesus could draw water to asking for water that ends her own repeated drawing.
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