What Does Revelation 2:22 Mean in the King James?
Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.
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
The verse’s hinge is a turn away from the deeds themselves: it names the consequence severely, yet makes that turn the stated exception.
THE MEANING
The verse speaks now as an unsparing warning: she is cast into a bed, those committing adultery with her into great pressure, and turning from the deeds is the stated exception. The consequence remains severe, while the turn remains named.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that repentance can leave the deeds untouched: the verse ties the exception to turning from the deeds themselves.
THE ROOT
μετανοήσωσιν
metanoēsōsin
GROWS FROM
μετανο-
metano-
to turn or change one’s mind
“repent” in this verse is metanoēsōsin. The phrase “of their deeds” makes this turn concrete: it faces conduct. The verse’s exception is a change of direction, not just a word for regret.
ALSO GROWS
metanoia: turning; repentance
μετάνοια
The related noun carries the same movement of turning that governs the verse’s exception.
noeō: think; perceive
νοέω
This word within the family points to a changed way of seeing that turns into changed direction.
θλῖψιν
thlipsin
GROWS FROM
θλιβ
thlib-
to press or squeeze
The word rendered “tribulation” carries the image of pressure and constriction. “Great” makes the pressure severe, giving the consequence a felt weight rather than leaving it as an abstract label.
ALSO GROWS
thlibō: press; afflict
θλίβω
The verb shows the pressing force within the noun used for the consequence.
thlipsis: pressure; distress; tribulation
θλῖψις
This is the noun in the verse: the others are cast into a condition of pressure.
κλίνην
klinēn
GROWS FROM
κλιν
klin-
to bend, incline, or recline
The word for bed belongs to a family of words for bending or reclining. That root keeps the verse’s image concrete: she is cast onto a bed, while the others face pressure.
ALSO GROWS
klinē: bed; couch
κλίνη
This is the noun used for the bed into which she is cast.
klinō: bend; incline; recline
κλίνω
The related verb reveals the posture carried within the word for bed.
THE PATTERN
When a destructive course is named, turning from it remains a live hinge in its consequences.
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.THE THREAD
And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.Both verses use forms of μετανοέω (metanoeō, turn). The previous line says the space to turn is given but refused; this line names the consequence and keeps turning as the stated exception.
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