Rev 7:15-17 | RWP | e4.org | Therefore ( δια τουτο ). Because of the washing described in verse . They serve him ( λατρευουσιν αυτω ). Dative case with λατρευω (present active indicative, old verb, originally to serve for hire λατρον , then service in general, then religious service to God, , then in particular ritual worship of the priests, ). All the redeemed are priests ( , ) in the heavenly temple ( ) as here. But this service is that of spiritual worship, not of external rites ( ; ). Day and night ( ημερας κα νυκτος ). Genitive of time, "by day and night," as in of the praise of the four living creatures. Shall spread his tabernacle over them ( σκηνωσε επ' αυτους ). Future (change of tense from present in λατρευουσιν ) active of σκηνοω , old verb from σκηνος (tent, tabernacle), used in of the earthly life of Christ, elsewhere in N.T. only in Rev. ( ; ; ; ). In ; of those who dwell in tents, here of God spreading his tent "over" ( επ' αυτους ) the redeemed in heaven, in of God tabernacling "with" ( μετ' αυτων ) the redeemed, in both instances a picture of sacred fellowship, and "the further idea of God's Presence as a protection from all fear of evil" (Swete) like the overshadowing of Israel by the Shekinah and a possible allusion also to the tents ( σκηνα ) of the feast of tabernacles and to the tent of meeting where God met Moses ( ).

‏ Revelation of John 7:15-17

Therefore ( δια τουτο ). Because of the washing described in verse 14.

They serve him ( λατρευουσιν αυτω ). Dative case with λατρευω (present active indicative, old verb, originally to serve for hire λατρον, then service in general, then religious service to God, Mt 4:10, then in particular ritual worship of the priests, Heb 8:5). All the redeemed are priests (Re 16:5, 10) in the heavenly temple (6:9) as here. But this service is that of spiritual worship, not of external rites (Ro 12:1; Php 3:3).

Day and night ( ημερας κα νυκτος ). Genitive of time, "by day and night," as in 4:8 of the praise of the four living creatures.

Shall spread his tabernacle over them ( σκηνωσε επ' αυτους ). Future (change of tense from present in λατρευουσιν ) active of σκηνοω, old verb from σκηνος (tent, tabernacle), used in Joh 1:14 of the earthly life of Christ, elsewhere in N.T. only in Rev. (7:14; 12:12; 13:6; 21:3). In 12:12; 13:6 of those who dwell in tents, here of God spreading his tent "over" ( επ' αυτους ) the redeemed in heaven, in 21:3 of God tabernacling "with" ( μετ' αυτων ) the redeemed, in both instances a picture of sacred fellowship, and "the further idea of God's Presence as a protection from all fear of evil" (Swete) like the overshadowing of Israel by the Shekinah and a possible allusion also to the tents ( σκηνα ) of the feast of tabernacles and to the tent of meeting where God met Moses (Ex 33:7-11).

They shall hunger no more ( ου πεινασουσιν ετ ). Future tense of πειναω, old verb with late form instead of πεινησουσιν like Lu 6:25. It is a free translation of Isa 49:10 (not quotation from the LXX).

Neither thirst any more ( ουδε διψησουσιν ετ ). Future tense of διψαω, the two strong human appetites will be gone, a clear refutation of a gross materialistic or sensual conception of the future life. Cf. Joh 6:35.

Neither shall strike ( ουδε μη πεση ). Strong double negative ουδε μη with second aorist active subjunctive of πιπτω, to fall. They will no longer be under the rays of the sun as upon earth.

Nor any heat ( ουδε παν καυμα ). Old word from καιω, to burn, painful and burning heat, in N.T. only here and 16:9 (picture of the opposite condition). The use of the negative with παν (all) for "not any" is common in N.T. Cf. Ps 121:6.

In the midst ( ανα μεσον ). In 5:6 we have εν μεσω του θρονου as the position of the Lamb, and so that is apparently the sense of ανα μεσον here as in Mt 13:25, though it can mean "between," as clearly so in 1Co 6:5.

Shall be their shepherd ( παιμανε αυτους ). "Shall shepherd them," future active of ποιμαινω (from ποιμην, shepherd), in Joh 21:16; Ac 20:28; 1Pe 5:2; Re 2:27; 7:17; 12:5; 19:15. Jesus is still the Good Shepherd of his sheep (Joh 10:11, 14ff.). Cf. Ps 23:1.

Shall guide them ( οδη γησε αυτους ). Future active of οδηγεω, old word (from οδηγος, guide, Mt 15:14), used of God's guidance of Israel (Ex 15:13), of God's guidance of individual lives (Ps 5:9), of the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Joh 16:13), of Christ's own guidance here (cf. Joh 14:4; Re 14:4).

Unto fountains of waters of life ( επ ζωης πηγας υδατων ). The language is like that in Isa 49:10; Jer 2:13. Note the order, "to life's water springs" (Swete) like the Vulgate ad vitae fontes aquarum, with emphasis on ζωης (life's). For this idea see also Joh 4:12, 14; 7:38f.; Re 21:6; 22:1, 17. No special emphasis on the plural here or in 8:10; 14:7; 16:4.

And God shall wipe away ( κα εξαλειψε ο θεος ). Repeated in 21:4 from Isa 25:8. Future active of εξαλειφω, old compound, to wipe out ( εξ ), off, away, already in 3:5 for erasing a name and in Ac 3:19 for removing the stain (guilt) of sin.

Every tear ( παν δακρυον ). Old word, with other form, δακρυ, in Lu 7:38, 44. Note repetition of εκ with οφθαλμων (out of their eyes). "Words like these of vv. 15-17 must sound as a divine music in the ears of the persecuted. God will comfort as a mother comforts" (Baljon).