What Does Revelation 22:7 Mean in the King James?
Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
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 promise of coming is joined to an already-present flourishing: prophecy is something to guard now.
THE MEANING
The one who keeps the words of this prophecy is flourishing now, with the promised coming held alongside that present reality. The words remain before the reader as a message to guard and observe.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The verse undoes the assumption that prophecy matters only as something to await: it names its words as something to keep in the present.
THE ROOT
τηρῶν
tērōn
GROWS FROM
τηρ-
tēr-
To keep watch over, guard, preserve, or observe.
English “keepeth” can sound like simply retaining words in memory, but τηρέω also means to watch over, preserve, and observe. The prophecy is held as a charge that remains in view and receives attention.
ALSO GROWS
tērētēs: Keeper, guardian.
τηρητής
The keeper is one who watches over what has been entrusted; the verse portrays the reader as guardian of the prophetic words.
tērēsis: Keeping, observance.
τήρησις
This branch names the act of keeping, linking the promised flourishing with sustained attention to the prophecy.
μακάριος
makarios
GROWS FROM
μακαρ-
makar-
A flourishing or blessed state.
The word rendered “blessed” names flourishing, not merely a religious label. Its related forms speak of declaring someone flourishing and of the state called blessedness, so the verse describes the keeper’s condition.
ALSO GROWS
makarizō: To call blessed, declare flourishing.
μακαρίζω
This verb expresses the act of naming someone’s flourishing, bringing the verse’s description into view as a condition rather than a title.
makarismos: Blessedness, the state of being called blessed.
μακαρισμός
This noun names the state the verse associates with keeping the prophetic words.
λόγους
logous
GROWS FROM
λογ-
log-
Word, statement, or message; the word-family also carries senses of account and reasoning.
English “sayings” may suggest separate maxims, while λόγος also means word or message; here the words belong to the prophecy of the book. The related λόγιον names an oracle or divine utterance, bringing the prophetic character of the message into focus.
ALSO GROWS
legō: To say, speak, or tell.
λέγω
This related verb keeps the word-family connected to speech and to what is said.
logion: Oracle, divine utterance.
λόγιον
This branch names a prophetic utterance, echoing the words of prophecy that the verse calls the reader to keep.
THE PATTERN
A prophetic word is held close and guarded so its message remains present.
Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.THE THREAD
Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.The same pairing appears here: τηρέω (tēreō), to keep or guard, and λόγος (logos), word. Revelation names the prophecy as the words to be kept; here, keeping the words is joined to love and the speaker’s presence.
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