What Does Revelation 7:17 Mean in the King James?
For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
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 Lamb at the throne’s center is also the shepherd: his rule leads the flock to life’s springs and ends with every tear wiped away.
THE MEANING
The Lamb tends you and guides you to the springs of life, and God wipes every tear from your eyes. Provision, direction, and the end of grief belong together in this act of care.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the belief that grief is permanent and that care can only help you endure it: here, the shepherd leads toward life, and God wipes every tear away.
THE ROOT
ποιμανεῖ
poimanei
GROWS FROM
ποιμαίνω
poimainō
To shepherd, tend, or pasture a flock.
The Greek verb translated “feed” means to shepherd, so it gathers provision, guidance, and care into one action. The Lamb at the throne’s center does not merely provide food; he tends the flock and leads it.
ALSO GROWS
poimēn: Shepherd.
ποιμήν
The related noun names the caretaker whose work the verse describes with its verb.
poimnion: Flock.
ποίμνιον
The related word names those gathered under a shepherd’s care, showing that feeding is part of tending the whole flock.
ζωῆς
zōēs
GROWS FROM
ζωή
zōē
Life; the state of being alive.
The Greek wording behind “living fountains” names springs of life. The flock is led toward waters bound up with life itself, not simply toward a drink that meets the next moment’s thirst.
ALSO GROWS
zaō: To live.
ζάω
This verb shares the life-word family and makes the springs’ destination a condition of living.
zōopoieō: To make alive; give life.
ζωοποιέω
This word extends the same life-root into the act of giving life, deepening what the springs hold out.
THE PATTERN
The shepherd’s care leads people to life-giving waters, while God’s care removes grief.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.They shall not hunger nor thirst; neither shall the heat nor sun smite them: for he that hath mercy on them shall lead them, even by the springs of water shall he guide them.He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the LORD hath spoken it.THE THREAD
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.The Greek word translated “feed” in Revelation belongs to the same word family as “shepherd” here. John names the shepherd; Revelation shows the Lamb carrying out that shepherding by tending the flock and leading it to life.
Read the SDV Bible.
Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.
The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.
Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us