King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Whoever puts his trust in me, as the Scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from his inmost being!”
Berean Standard Bible:
Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”
American Standard Version:
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
He that believeth{G4100} on{G1519} me{G1691}, as{G2531} the scripture{G1124} hath said{G2036}, out of{G1537} his{G846} belly{G2836} shall flow{G4482} rivers{G4215} of living{G2198} water{G5204}.
Cross-References (KJV):
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 be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Isaiah 58:11
- And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
Isaiah 44:3
- For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
Isaiah 12:3
- Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
John 4:10
- Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
Proverbs 10:11
- ¶ The mouth of a righteous [man is] a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Zechariah 14:8
- ¶ And it shall be in that day, [that] living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for John 7:38
John 7:38 is a verse that captures a profound promise made by Jesus Christ during the Feast of Tabernacles, an annual Jewish festival that celebrated both the harvest and the Exodus journey. This festival included a water-pouring ceremony that symbolized God's provision and blessing, particularly remembered as the time when God provided water from the rock in the wilderness (Exodus 17:1-7; Numbers 20:2-13).
In this context, Jesus stands and cries out an invitation to those who are thirsty, promising that those who believe in him will experience an abundant outpouring of spiritual refreshment. The phrase "out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" metaphorically speaks to the internal transformation and spiritual renewal that comes from faith in Jesus. The "living water" is a recurring theme in the Gospel of John, symbolizing the Holy Spirit (as indicated in John 7:39) and the eternal life that Jesus offers.
This verse encapsulates several key themes: the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy in Jesus, the offer of salvation through belief in him, and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit, which is characterized by an overflow of life-giving grace, joy, and peace. It also contrasts the temporary physical sustenance provided by the water from the rock in the wilderness with the permanent spiritual sustenance provided by Jesus, the source of living water. Jesus' words thus point to the new covenant relationship with God, which is not dependent on external rituals but is internal, personal, and transformative.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: G4100
There are 220 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: πιστεύω
Transliteration: pisteúō
Pronunciation: pist-yoo'-o
Description: from πίστις; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ):--believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with. - Strong's Number: G1519
There are 1513 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: εἰς
Transliteration: eis
Pronunciation: ice
Description: a primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases:--(abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to), …ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) expressing motion (literally or figuratively). - Strong's Number: G1691
There are 77 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐμέ
Transliteration: emé
Pronunciation: em-eh'
Description: a prolonged form of μέ; me:--I, me, my(-self). - Strong's Number: G2531
There are 180 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: καθώς
Transliteration: kathṓs
Pronunciation: kath-oce'
Description: from κατά and ὡς; just (or inasmuch) as, that:--according to, (according, even) as, how, when. - Strong's Number: G1124
There are 51 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: γραφή
Transliteration: graphḗ
Pronunciation: graf-ay'
Description: from γράφω; a document, i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it):--scripture. - Strong's Number: G2036
There are 901 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἔπω
Transliteration: épō
Pronunciation: ep'-o
Description: a primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from ἐρέω, ῥέω, and φημί); to speak or say (by word or writing):--answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell. Compare λέγω. - Strong's Number: G1537
There are 761 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ἐκ
Transliteration: ek
Pronunciation: ex
Description: a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause; literal or figurative; direct or remote):--after, among, X are, at, betwixt(-yond), by (the means of), exceedingly, (+ abundantly above), for(- th), from (among, forth, up), + grudgingly, + heartily, X heavenly, X hereby, + very highly, in, …ly, (because, by reason) of, off (from), on, out among (from, of), over, since, X thenceforth, through, X unto, X vehemently, with(-out). Often used in composition, with the same general import; often of completion. - Strong's Number: G846
There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: αὐτός
Transliteration: autós
Pronunciation: ow-tos'
Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ. - Strong's Number: G2836
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: κοιλία
Transliteration: koilía
Pronunciation: koy-lee'-ah
Description: from ("hollow"); a cavity, i.e. (especially) the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart:--belly, womb. - Strong's Number: G4482
There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ῥέω
Transliteration: rhéō
Pronunciation: hryoo'-o
Description: a primary verb; for some tenses of which a prolonged form is used to flow ("run"; as water):--flow. - Strong's Number: G4215
There are 16 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ποταμός
Transliteration: potamós
Pronunciation: pot-am-os'
Description: probably from a derivative of the alternate of πίνω (compare πότος); a current, brook or freshet (as drinkable), i.e. running water:--flood, river, stream, water. - Strong's Number: G2198
There are 127 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ζάω
Transliteration: záō
Pronunciation: dzah'-o
Description: a primary verb; to live (literally or figuratively):--life(-time), (a-)live(-ly), quick. - Strong's Number: G5204
There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: ὕδωρ
Transliteration: hýdōr
Pronunciation: hoo'-dat-os
Description: from the base of ὑετός; water (as if rainy) literally or figuratively:--water.