Revelation 7:16
What does Revelation 7:16 mean?
A plain-English look at Revelation 7:16 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Revelation 7:16 means
The redeemed “shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat.” Former deprivations and dangers are gone. Their tribulation may have included famine, thirst, and exposure; now God reverses each lack. The language paints a world where needs are fully met and harm is impossible. The God who sheltered them now satisfies them. The contrast between their past trials and present rest underscores the completeness of salvation: it addresses both guilt and grief, both sin and suffering. Here, longing ceases, and strength never fails, because God himself sustains his people.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat:
KJV
King James Version · 1611They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat:
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949They will never be in need of food or drink: and they will never again be troubled by the burning heat of the sun:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862they shall not hunger any more, nor may the sun fall upon them, nor any heat,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752They shall no more hunger nor thirst: neither shall the sun fall on them, nor any heat.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890They shall not hunger any more, neither shall they thirst any more, nor shall the sun at all fall on them, nor any burning heat;
Context
This verse continues the description of blessings flowing from the Lamb’s cleansing and God’s sheltering presence. It sets up the reason for such fullness in the next verse: the Lamb in the midst of the throne will shepherd and guide them to life-giving waters, and God himself will wipe away every tear. The progression moves from what is absent (no hunger, thirst, or heat) to who secures the abundance and comfort that replaces these former pains.
v.15Therefore are they before the throne of God; and they serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall spread his tabernacle over them.
v.16This passage
v.17for the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd, and shall guide them unto fountains of waters of life: and God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 143:6
I spread forth my hands unto thee: My soulthirstethafter thee, as a weary land. [Selah
- Psalms 42:2
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: When shall I come and appear before God?
- Matthew 13:21
yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth.
- Isaiah 65:13
Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry; behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty; behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be put to shame;
- John 4:14
but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up unto eternal life.
- Luke 6:21
Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.
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