Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
In the midst (ana meson). In Revelation 5:6 we have en mesw tou qronou as the position of the Lamb, and so that is apparently the sense of ana meson here as in Matthew 13:25, though it can mean "between," as clearly so in I Corinthians 6:5.
Shall be their shepherd (paimanei autouv). "Shall shepherd them," future active of poimainw (from poimhn, shepherd), in John 21:16; Acts 20:28; I Peter 5:2; Revelation 2:27; Revelation 7:17; Revelation 12:5; Revelation 19:15. Jesus is still the Good Shepherd of his sheep (John 10:11, John 10:14 ff.). Cf. Psalms 23:1.
Shall guide them (odh ghsei autouv). Future active of odhgew, old word (from odhgov, guide, Matthew 15:14), used of God's guidance of Israel (Exodus 15:13), of God's guidance of individual lives (Psalms 5:9), of the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13), of Christ's own guidance here (cf. John 14:4; Revelation 14:4).
Unto fountains of waters of life (epi zwhv phgav udatwn). The language is like that in Isaiah 49:10; Jeremiah 2:13. Note the order, "to life's water springs" (Swete) like the Vulgate ad vitae fontes aquarum, with emphasis on zwhv (life's). For this idea see also John 4:12, John 4:14; John 7:38 f.; Revelation 21:6; Revelation 22:1, Revelation 22:17. No special emphasis on the plural here or in Revelation 8:10; Revelation 14:7; Revelation 16:4.
And God shall wipe away (kai ecaleiyei o qeov). Repeated in Revelation 21:4 from Isaiah 25:8. Future active of ecaleifw, old compound, to wipe out (ec), off, away, already in Revelation 3:5 for erasing a name and in Acts 3:19 for removing the stain (guilt) of sin.
Every tear (pan dakruon). Old word, with other form, dakru, in Luke 7:38, Luke 7:44. Note repetition of ek with ofqalmwn (out of their eyes). "Words like these of vv. Revelation 7:15-17 must sound as a divine music in the ears of the persecuted. God will comfort as a mother comforts" (Baljon).
Other Robertson's Word Pictures (NT) entries containing Revelation 7:17:
Matthew 2:5
John 4:10
Jude 1:12
Revelation 2:27
Revelation 7:1
Revelation 7:17
Revelation 7:17
Revelation 14:1
Revelation 21:4
Revelation 21:6
Revelation 22:1
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