John 7:38
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πιστεύων
He that believeth
G4100
πιστεύων
He that believeth
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
2 of 16
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 ch
εἰς
on
G1519
εἰς
on
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
3 of 16
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
ἡ
G3588
ἡ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
7 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
γραφή
the scripture
G1124
γραφή
the scripture
Strong's:
G1124
Word #:
8 of 16
a document, i.e., holy writ (or its contents or a statement in it)
ποταμοὶ
rivers
G4215
ποταμοὶ
rivers
Strong's:
G4215
Word #:
9 of 16
a current, brook or freshet (as drinkable), i.e., running water
ἐκ
out of
G1537
ἐκ
out of
Strong's:
G1537
Word #:
10 of 16
a primary preposition denoting origin (the point whence action or motion proceeds), from, out (of place, time, or cause literal or figurative; direct
τῆς
G3588
τῆς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 16
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κοιλίας
belly
G2836
κοιλίας
belly
Strong's:
G2836
Word #:
12 of 16
a cavity, i.e., (especially) the abdomen; by implication, the matrix; figuratively, the heart
αὐτοῦ
his
G846
αὐτοῦ
his
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
13 of 16
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
ῥεύσουσιν
shall flow
G4482
ῥεύσουσιν
shall flow
Strong's:
G4482
Word #:
14 of 16
for some tenses of which a prolonged form ???? <pronunciation strongs="hryoo'-o"/> is used to flow ("run"; as water)
Cross References
John 4:14But 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 58:11And 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 44:3For 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 12:3Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.John 4:10Jesus 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 10:11The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.Zechariah 14:8And 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.Proverbs 18:4The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.Isaiah 59:21As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the LORD; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed's seed, saith the LORD, from henceforth and for ever.Deuteronomy 18:15The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken;
Historical Context
John 7:39 explains this refers to the Spirit not yet given because Jesus wasn't yet glorified. The connection between believing, drinking, and overflowing illustrates salvation's progression: receive, be filled, overflow to others.
Questions for Reflection
- Are 'rivers of living water' flowing from your life to others, or has your spiritual life become stagnant?
- How does the promise of the indwelling Spirit transform believers into channels of blessing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Christ quotes Scripture (likely Isaiah 58:11 or Proverbs 18:4), though no exact OT match exists, suggesting a general theme rather than specific text. 'Believeth on me' makes Christ the object of faith, a claim to deity. 'Rivers of living water' (plural, abundant) contrasts with the woman at the well's request (4:15). The believer becomes a source, not just recipient—Christ's life flows through us to bless others.