Devine Scripture

Revelation 7:17

What does Revelation 7:17 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 7:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 7:17 means

The climax comes: “the Lamb that is in the midst of the throne shall be their shepherd.” The slain-yet-reigning Lamb personally leads them to “fountains of waters of life”—unfailing refreshment and joy. God’s care is tender and intimate: “God shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.” This is not abstract bliss but personal consolation from the Sovereign himself. The paradox of the Lamb as Shepherd points to Jesus Christ, who laid down his life for the sheep and now guides them in glory. Salvation ends not in mere survival but in fellowship, satisfaction, and the healing of every sorrow by God’s own hand.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

for 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.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

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.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

for 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.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For the Lamb who is on the high seat will be their keeper and their guide to fountains of living water: and God will make glad their eyes for ever.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

because the Lamb that <FI>is<Fi> in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters, and wipe away shall God every tear from their eyes.'

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall rule them and shall lead them to the fountains of the waters of life: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

because the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall shepherd them, and shall lead them to fountains of waters of life, andGod shall wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Context

This concluding promise gathers the chapter’s themes: God restrains judgment to secure his people; he seals them; he gathers a vast redeemed host; and he brings them into everlasting care, shepherded by the Lamb. With this assurance, the interlude between judgments closes. The narrative will return to unfolding events, but readers carry forward the certainty that the sealed and the redeemed are safe, satisfied, and comforted under the Lamb’s shepherding and God’s tender rule.

v.16They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat:

v.17This passage

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • John 10:14

    I am the good shepherd; and I know mine own, and mine own know me,

  • Isaiah 60:20

    Thy sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy moon withdraw itself; for Jehovah will be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.

  • Isaiah 35:6

    Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall sing; for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.

  • Isaiah 25:8

    He hath swallowed up death for ever; and the Lord Jehovah will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the reproach of his people will he take away from off all the earth: for Jehovah hath spoken it.

  • Isaiah 30:19

    For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem; thou shalt weep no more; he will surely be gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear, he will answer thee.

  • Revelation 22:1

    And he showed me a river of water of life, bright as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb,

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