Revelation 7 16

Revelation 7:16 kjv

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

Revelation 7:16 nkjv

They shall neither hunger anymore nor thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any heat;

Revelation 7:16 niv

'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,' nor any scorching heat.

Revelation 7:16 esv

They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.

Revelation 7:16 nlt

They will never again be hungry or thirsty;
they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun.

Revelation 7 verses

Revelation 7 16 Meaning

This verse describes the blessed, everlasting state of the great multitude who have overcome great tribulation. It signifies a profound end to all forms of suffering, discomfort, and hardship—both physical and metaphorical. It speaks of a complete divine provision and protection, offering absolute solace and contentment from every earthly affliction, assuring eternal peace and profound satisfaction in the immediate and unceasing presence of God.

Revelation 7 16 Context

Revelation chapter 7 serves as an interlude between the opening of the sixth and seventh seals. John first witnesses the sealing of the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel, signifying God's divine preservation of His remnant. Immediately following, an innumerable multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language appears before the throne of God and the Lamb. These are identified by an elder as those who "have come out of the great tribulation" and have "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." Verse 16 continues the description of their immediate blessings and the permanent comfort they receive as a result of their steadfastness and Christ's redemption. Historically, the early Christian audience, living under Roman persecution, would have profoundly related to the concepts of hunger, thirst, and harsh environmental conditions common in the arid Middle East. This promise of ultimate relief from such tangible sufferings provided immense hope and reassurance for a weary and afflicted people.

Revelation 7 16 Word analysis

• They shall hunger no more (οὐ πεινάσουσιν ἔτι - ou peinasousin eti):
  • πεινάσουσιν (peinasousin): From the verb πεινάω (peinaō), meaning "to be hungry, to starve." The future tense indicates a definitive and permanent cessation.
  • Significance: This goes beyond physical starvation, representing the fulfillment of every deep-seated longing of the human soul. It speaks to the ultimate satisfaction of spiritual hunger, specifically the yearning for truth, righteousness, and eternal life, contrasting with the often unfulfilling pursuits of the temporal world. It signifies a divine reversal of the consequences of the Fall, where labor was required for food.
• neither thirst any more (οὐδὲ διψήσουσιν ἔτι - oude dipsēsousin eti):
  • διψήσουσιν (dipsēsousin): From the verb διψάω (dipsaō), meaning "to be thirsty." The future tense, like "hunger," promises an eternal cessation.
  • Significance: More than just physical hydration, this signifies the absolute quenching of spiritual thirst for God Himself and for His sustaining presence (Ps 42:2). This promise assures unending spiritual refreshment, drawing from the "fountain of the water of life" that flows freely in the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:6; 22:1). It highlights God as the singular, ultimate source of spiritual replenishment and satisfaction, which worldly offerings can never truly provide.
• neither shall the sun light on them (οὐδὲ μὴ πέσῃ ἐπ' αὐτοὺς ὁ ἥλιος - oude mē pesē ep' autous ho hēlios):
  • ἥλιος (hēlios): Refers to the "sun" itself, specifically its oppressive heat and potential for harm in hot climates.
  • πέσῃ (pesē): From the verb πίπτω (piptō), meaning "to fall" or "to strike upon." The phrase describes the sun "beating down" or "scorching."
  • Significance: In ancient Middle Eastern contexts, the intense sun caused severe dehydration, exhaustion, and sunstroke. This promise symbolizes complete divine protection from all forms of environmental dangers and harsh external conditions. Metaphorically, it points to the cessation of "scorching" trials and persecutions that beleaguer believers, assuring refuge and relief from all the intense distresses of this fallen world.
• nor any heat (οὐδὲ πᾶν καῦμα - oude pan kauma):
  • καῦμα (kauma): Means "burning heat, scorching heat, fiery heat." It amplifies the intensity implied by "sun."
  • Significance: This reinforces the assurance of divine refuge from all forms of extreme, debilitating affliction. It refers to the absence of any harsh or oppressive condition—whether physically overwhelming heat or metaphorical "fiery trials"—ensuring complete comfort and unending shelter under the protective care of God.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more": This emphatic declaration reflects numerous Old Testament promises of divine provision and satisfaction for God's covenant people. It describes a state of absolute and complete contentment, signifying that every deep physical and spiritual yearning is met by God's constant, abundant presence and sustenance.
  • "neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat": This double negation highlights the absolute certainty and comprehensiveness of divine protection. It paints a picture of eternal shelter from all external hardships, persecution, and environmental extremities. This imagery vividly depicts a perpetual state of serenity and safety in God's presence, harkening back to God's miraculous care for Israel in the wilderness (e.g., cloud by day, Ex 13:21) and transcending it for eternity.

Revelation 7 16 Bonus section

The imagery of freedom from hunger, thirst, sun, and heat carries deep eschatological significance, directly contrasting with the earthly experience of human struggle and natural elements. This state implies an intimate, direct, and perpetual nourishment from God, far surpassing any temporary earthly provision. This verse subtly contrasts God's supreme power to provide and protect with the transient and often oppressive nature of the world's conditions or the empty promises of pagan deities, emphasizing God's unique sovereignty. The comfort described is not merely the absence of pain, but a positive, active enjoyment of God's unceasing, nurturing presence, ensuring an eternal well-being for His cherished multitude.

Revelation 7 16 Commentary

Revelation 7:16 articulates an profound promise of ultimate relief and restoration for the redeemed, standing perpetually before God's throne. The cessation of "hunger" and "thirst" transcends mere physical needs, pointing to the profound and eternal satisfaction of all spiritual longings within the believer's soul, which can only be met fully by God. The promise of protection from the "sun" and "any heat" symbolizes deliverance from all oppressive external circumstances, persecutions, and the intense hardships of earthly life. This verse beautifully portrays the comprehensive and eternal provision, comfort, and safety God extends to His faithful, emphasizing an unbroken, intimate fellowship free from every form of sorrow, deprivation, and distress. It culminates in an existence of perpetual peace, complete well-being, and joy, rooted solely in God's constant presence and divine care.