New Living Translation
Revelation 7:17
17For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:17 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’”
- English Standard Version (ESV)For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."
- New King James Version (NKJV)for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Context of Revelation 7:17
15“That is why they stand in front of God’s throne and serve him day and night in his Temple. And he who sits on the throne will give them shelter. 16They will never again be hungry or thirsty; they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun. For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
Read all of Revelation 7Revelation 7:17 word by word
ὅτι τὸ ἀρνίον τὸ ἀνὰ μέσον τοῦ θρόνου ποιμανεῖ αὐτοὺς καὶ ὁδηγήσει αὐτοὺς ἐπὶ ζωῆς πηγὰς ὑδάτων, καὶ ἐξαλείψει ὁ θεὸς πᾶν δάκρυον ἐκ τῶν ὀφθαλμῶν αὐτῶν.¶Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Forὅτιhoti · that/since: sinceG3754
- the Lambὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
- the Lambἀρνίονarnion · lambG721
- inἀνάana · eachG303
- the midstμέσοςmesos · midstG3319
- of the throneθρόνοςthronos · throneG2362
- shall feedποιμαίνωpoimainō · to shepherdG4165
- themαὐτόςautos · it/s/heG846
- andκαίkai · andG2532
- shall leadὁδηγέωhodēgeō · to guideG3594
- untoἐπίepi · upon/to/againstG1909
- livingζάωzaō · to liveG2198
- fountainsπηγήpēgē · flowG4077
- of watersὕδωρhudōr hudatos · waterG5204
- Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
- shall wipe awayἐξαλείφωexaleiphō · to blot outG1813
- allπᾶςpas · allG3956
- tearsδάκρυ, δάκρυονdakru dakruon · teardropG1144
- fromἀπόapo · away fromG575
- eyesὀφθαλμόςophthalmos · eyeG3788
Cross-references for Revelation 7:17
- Revelation 5:6Then I saw a Lamb that looked as if it had been slaughtered, but it was now standing between the throne and the four living beings and among the twenty-four elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the sevenfold Spirit of God that is sent out into every part of the earth.
- Psalms 22:26The poor will eat and be satisfied. All who seek the Lord will praise him. Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.
- Psalms 23:1The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.
- Psalms 28:9Save your people! Bless Israel, your special possession. Lead them like a shepherd, and carry them in your arms forever.
- Psalms 36:8You feed them from the abundance of your own house, letting them drink from your river of delights.
- Isaiah 25:6In Jerusalem, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will spread a wonderful feast for all the people of the world. It will be a delicious banquet with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat.
- Isaiah 40:11He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young.
- Isaiah 49:9I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.’ They will be my sheep, grazing in green pastures and on hills that were previously bare.
- Ezekiel 34:23And I will set over them one shepherd, my servant David. He will feed them and be a shepherd to them.
- Micah 5:4And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored around the world.
- Micah 7:14O Lord, protect your people with your shepherd’s staff; lead your flock, your special possession. Though they live alone in a thicket on the heights of Mount Carmel, let them graze in the fertile pastures of Bashan and Gilead as they did long ago.
- Matthew 2:6‘And you, O Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not least among the ruling cities of Judah, for a ruler will come from you who will be the shepherd for my people Israel.’”
- John 10:11“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.
- John 21:15After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.
- Acts 20:28“So guard yourselves and God’s people. Feed and shepherd God’s flock—his church, purchased with his own blood—over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as leaders.
- 1 Peter 5:2Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God.
Commentaries on Revelation 7:17
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 17The Lamb - The Lord Jesus, enthroned with his Father in ineffable glory. Shall feed them - Shall communicate to them every thing calculated to secure, continue, and increase their happiness. Living fountains of water - A spring in the Hebrew phraseology is termed living water, because constantly boiling up and running on. By these perpetual fountains we are to understand endless sources of comfort and happiness, which Jesus Christ will open out of his own…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 17For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne - notes on Revelation 5:6. He is still the great agent in promoting the happiness of the redeemed in heaven. Shall feed them - Rather, shall exercise over them the office of a shepherd - ͂ poimainōThis includes much more than mere feeding. It embraces all the care which a shepherd takes of his flock - watching them, providing for them, guarding them from danger. Compare Psalm 23:1-2, Psalm 23:5; Psalm…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 13-17Verses 13-17 Faithful Christians deserve our notice and respect; we should mark the upright. Those who would gain knowledge, must not be ashamed to seek instruction from any who can give it. The way to heaven is through many tribulations; but tribulation, how great soever, shall not separate us from the love of God. Tribulation makes heaven more welcome and more glorious. It is not the blood of the martyrs, but the blood of the Lamb, that can wash away…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 16-17For those living in deserts, water and shade from the sun feel like paradise (see also Revelation 21:6; 22:1, 17; Psalm 23:1–2; Ezekiel 47:1–12; John 7:37–38). in the center of the throne: The Lamb is closely connected with God. Christ’s role as the shepherd of God’s people (compare Psalm 23; Matthew 15:24; John 10:3, 11, 14; Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25) means he protects and provides for the sheep, bringing hope and salvation to his people (see Ezekiel…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1717. in the midst of the throne--that is, in the middle point in front of the throne (Re 5:6). feed--Greek, "tend as a shepherd." living fountains of water--A, B, Vulgate, and Cyprian read, (eternal) "life's fountains of waters." "Living" is not supported by the old authorities.Read the comment
Topics related to Revelation 7:17
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Revelation 7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Illustrated New Testament
- Burkitt’s Expository Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Family Bible Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- The People’s New Testament
- Robertson’s Word Pictures
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
Commentaries