What Does John 5:26 Mean in the King James?

For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself;
John 5:26 · KJV
The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

This verse in the Selah Decoded Version

The life given to the Son is not merely delivered to him; it is life he has within himself, as the Father does.

This verse shows you life as having its source in the Father and being present in the Son. The Son has this life within himself, so receiving it and possessing it inwardly belong together.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

The verse dissolves the idea that receiving life means holding only an outside supply: the Son is given life to have within himself.

ζωή

zōē

GROWS FROM

ζάω

zaō

to live, to be alive

The same word for life appears twice: the Father has it in himself, and the Son is given to have it in himself. The life being given is not an external supply alone; it is life held inwardly.

ALSO GROWS

zōn: Alive; living.

ζῶν

This participle from the same verb family shows that ⁨ζωή⁩ names the condition of being alive, not merely a possession.

zōopoieō: To make alive, give life.

ζῳοποιέω

This related verb joins life with making alive, showing the active reach of the same life named in the verse.

δέδωκεν

dedōken

GROWS FROM

δίδωμι

didōmi

to give, grant, set, or place

The form ⁨δέδωκεν⁩ presents the giving as an accomplished act with a continuing result: the Son has been given life and has it in himself. The related words for giving and gift make clear that what is received remains truly present within him.

ALSO GROWS

dosis: The act of giving or a gift.

δόσις

This related noun makes the giving itself visible: the Son’s life is received from the Father.

dōrea: A gift freely given.

δωρεά

This related word emphasizes that the life the Son has in himself is given.

Life has its source in God and becomes present within the one who receives it from him.

For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light.
Psalm 36:9 · KJVLife is pictured as flowing from its source in God.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:4 · KJVLife is present within the Word and becomes light for humanity.
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
1 John 5:11 · KJVLife is given by God and located in the Son.
In him was life; and the life was the light of men.
John 1:4 · KJV

John 1:4 uses the same word, ⁨ζωή⁩ (zōē), and places that life in the Word before describing it as the light of humanity. John 5:26 shows that same life in relation to the Father and Son: it is in the Father and given to be in the Son.

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John 5:26 KJV Meaning