Topical Encyclopedia
The term "thirsteth" is an archaic form of the verb "thirst," which appears in various passages of the Bible, conveying both physical and spiritual dimensions of longing and need. In the Scriptures, thirst is often used metaphorically to describe a deep spiritual yearning for God and His righteousness.
Physical Thirst:In the Bible, physical thirst is a common human experience that underscores the basic need for water. This is evident in the narrative of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness, where they frequently experienced thirst and cried out to God for provision. In
Exodus 17:3 , the people grumble against Moses, saying, "Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?" This physical thirst serves as a backdrop for God's miraculous provision of water from the rock, demonstrating His care and ability to meet the needs of His people.
Spiritual Thirst:Beyond the physical, thirst is a powerful metaphor for spiritual longing. In
Psalm 42:1-2 , the psalmist writes, "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?" Here, the imagery of a deer panting for water illustrates the soul's deep desire for communion with God. This spiritual thirst reflects an innate recognition of the soul's need for the divine presence and sustenance.
In the New Testament, Jesus addresses spiritual thirst directly. In
John 4:13-14 , during His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, Jesus declares, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life." Jesus presents Himself as the source of living water, offering eternal satisfaction to those who come to Him in faith.
Thirst for Righteousness:The concept of thirst is also linked to a desire for righteousness. In the Beatitudes, Jesus pronounces a blessing on those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, promising that they will be filled (
Matthew 5:6). This beatitude highlights the virtue of longing for God's will and moral purity, suggesting that such a thirst will be satisfied by God Himself.
Prophetic Imagery:The prophets frequently use the imagery of thirst to convey Israel's spiritual condition and God's promise of restoration. In
Isaiah 55:1 , the invitation is extended: "Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy and eat!" This call emphasizes God's gracious provision and the abundance of spiritual nourishment available to those who seek Him.
Eschatological Fulfillment:The theme of thirst finds its ultimate fulfillment in the eschatological vision of Revelation. In
Revelation 7:16-17 , it is promised that "Never again will they hunger, and never will they thirst; nor will the sun beat down upon them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb in the center of the throne will be their shepherd. He will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes." This passage assures believers of a future where all needs, including the deepest spiritual thirst, will be eternally satisfied in the presence of God.
In summary, "thirsteth" in the biblical context encompasses both the literal need for water and the profound spiritual longing for God and His righteousness. It serves as a reminder of humanity's dependence on God for both physical sustenance and spiritual fulfillment.
Library
My SoulThirsteth for God.
... V. DEDICATION and SURRENDER Hymn 61 My soulthirsteth for God. William Cowper
8,8,8,8. My soulthirsteth for God. I thirst, but not as once I did,....
My SoulThirsteth for Thee
... THE THIRD CENTURY 86 My soulthirsteth for Thee. My soulthirsteth for Thee, my
flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land where no water is....
The Noble Inclination Whereby ManThirsteth after Riches and...
... THE FIRST CENTURY 23 The noble inclination whereby manthirsteth after riches
and dominion. The noble inclination whereby manthirsteth...
"O God, My SoulThirsteth for Thee. "
... DEVOUT EXERCISES. 493. " "O God, my soulthirsteth for thee.". 493. LM
Montgomery. "O God, my soulthirsteth for thee.". 1 O God!...
The Promises.
... The man thatthirsteth with spiritual thirst, fears nothing more than that there
is not enough to quench his thirst: all the promises and sayings of God's...
Psalm LXIII.
... For he thatthirsteth in this world, in the world to come shall be satisfied, according
to the Lord's saying, "Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after...
The Great Proclamation
... THE GREAT PROCLAMATION. 'Ho, every one thatthirsteth, come ye to the waters, and...
'Every one thatthirsteth'"that means desire. Yes; but it means need also....
Thirst and Satisfaction
... SATISFACTION. 'My soulthirsteth for Thee....5. My soul shall be satisfied....
8. My soul followeth hard after Thee.'"Psalm 63:1, 5, 8....
Thirsting for God
... VOLUME I: PSALMS I to XLIX THIRSTING FOR GOD. 'My soulthirsteth for God, for
the living God.'"Psalm 13:2.... 'My soulthirsteth'"for what?...
January 9 Evening
... My soulthirsteth for God, for the living God."O God, thou art my God; early will
I seek thee: my soulthirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry...
Thesaurus
Thirsteth (7 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Thirsteth (7 Occurrences). John 7:37 In the last
day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried
...Thirsty (38 Occurrences)
... Psalms 63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soulthirsteth for
thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is...
Thirsted (6 Occurrences)
Thirsting (7 Occurrences)
Longeth (9 Occurrences)
... Psalms 63:1 O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soulthirsteth for
thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is...
Languisheth (10 Occurrences)
... I seek thee. My soulthirsteth for thee, my flesh languisheth for thee,
in a dry and weary land without water: (DBY). Psalms 88:9...
Weary (77 Occurrences)
... (WEB NIV). Psalms 143:6 I spread forth my hands unto thee: My soulthirsteth
after thee, as a weary land. Selah (See JPS ASV YLT)....
Stretch (73 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 143:6 I stretch forth my hands
unto thee: my soulthirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah....
Exceedingly (167 Occurrences)
... Judges 15:18 and hethirsteth exceedingly, and calleth unto Jehovah, and saith,
'Thou -- Thou hast given by the hand of Thy servant this great salvation; and...
Hungereth (2 Occurrences)
... Romans 12:20 Therefore if thy enemy hungereth, feed him; if hethirsteth, give him
drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. (WBS)....
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