The term "athirst" is an archaic expression meaning to be thirsty or in need of drink. In the context of the Bible, it often carries a deeper spiritual significance, symbolizing a longing or deep desire for God, His presence, or His righteousness. This concept is woven throughout Scripture, illustrating both physical and spiritual thirst.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, physical thirst is frequently used to depict the Israelites' dependence on God for sustenance. For instance, during their wilderness journey, the Israelites experienced physical thirst, which God quenched miraculously. In Exodus 17:3, the people grumbled against Moses, saying, "Why did you bring us out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?" This incident underscores the Israelites' reliance on God for provision and serves as a reminder of His faithfulness.

The Psalms often use the imagery of thirst to express a deep spiritual longing for God. Psalm 42:1-2 states, "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 in God’s presence?" Here, the psalmist equates his yearning for God with the intense thirst of a deer for water, highlighting the soul's deep desire for communion with the Divine.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, Jesus addresses both physical and spiritual thirst. In John 4:13-14 , Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman at the well, saying, "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." Here, Jesus contrasts the temporary satisfaction of physical thirst with the eternal satisfaction found in Him, the Living Water.

Furthermore, in John 7:37-38 , during the Feast of Tabernacles, Jesus proclaims, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." This invitation emphasizes the fulfillment and refreshment that come from a relationship with Christ, who satisfies the deepest spiritual thirst.

Spiritual Significance

The concept of being athirst is not limited to physical needs but extends to a spiritual yearning for God. This thirst is a recognition of the soul's need for divine grace, truth, and righteousness. In Matthew 5:6 , Jesus declares, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." This beatitude highlights the promise of spiritual fulfillment for those who earnestly seek God's righteousness.

Revelation 21:6 offers a future promise: "To the thirsty I will give freely from the spring of the water of life." This assurance of eternal satisfaction underscores the hope and fulfillment found in God's ultimate provision for His people.

In summary, the term "athirst" in the Bible serves as a powerful metaphor for both physical and spiritual longing. It reflects humanity's dependence on God for sustenance and the soul's deep desire for communion with the Creator. Through Christ, the Living Water, believers are invited to quench their spiritual thirst and find eternal satisfaction.1. (a.) Wanting drink; thirsty.

2. (a.) Having a keen appetite or desire; eager; longing.

Psalm XLII.
... 5. "My soul is athirst for the living God" (ver.2). What I am saying, that "as the
hart panteth after the water-brooks, so longs my soul after Thee, O God ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xlii.htm

The Heart of God
... Joy, that the angels came and ministered to Him. "Sorrow, that He was an hungered
and athirst. ... "Sorrow, when He hung athirst amidst His enemies. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxvi the heart of.htm

Preface
... truth. They are athirst for God, and they will not be satisfied till they
have drunk deep at the Fountain of Living Water. This ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tozer/the pursuit of god/preface.htm

A Short and Easy Method of Prayer
... I grant that meditation is attainable but by few, for few are capable of it; and
therefore, my beloved brethren who are athirst for salvation, meditative ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/a short and easy method.htm

The Water-Springs
... "Hear how He calleth with His mighty voice, Whosoever is athirst let him
come, and drink of the water of life freely!'. "Children ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xxix the water-springs.htm

The Judgment Scene.
... "Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, 'Lord, when saw we thee hungry,
and fed thee? or athirst, and gave thee drink? And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the judgment scene.htm

Blessed is He who Atoned Your Sins, that Ye Might Receive his Body ...
... 21. "He that drinks the water that I shall give him,"verily never again shall he
thirst.""For this holy Baptism,"for it be ye athirst, my beloved ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vii blessed is he.htm

The Water of Life (Preached at Westminster Abbey)
... And let him that is athirst come. ... This at least. That they were of those of whom
it is written, 'Let him that is athirst come.' They had been athirst for Life. ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon i the water of.htm

Knox Little -- Thirst Satisfied
... London.]. My soul is athirst for God, for the living God; when shall I
come and appear before the presence of God?"Psalm 42. 2. ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 8/knox little thirst satisfied.htm

Epistle cxxvii. From S. Columbanus to Pope Gregory .
... saving reverence for the ashes of the saints should seek out longingly, not Rome
but thee: for, though I confess myself not to be wise, but athirst, I should ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle cxxvii from s columbanus.htm

Athirst (6 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Having a keen appetite or desire; eager; longing. Multi-Version Concordance
Athirst (6 Occurrences). ... or athirst, and gave thee drink? (ASV). ...
/a/athirst.htm - 8k

Athens (5 Occurrences)

/a/athens.htm - 15k

Reaped (9 Occurrences)
... not to touch thee? And when thou art athirst, go to the vessels and drink
of what the young men draw. (DBY). Jeremiah 12:13 They ...
/r/reaped.htm - 9k

Minister (150 Occurrences)
... Matthew 25:44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an
hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did ...
/m/minister.htm - 40k

Athlai (1 Occurrence)

/a/athlai.htm - 6k

Fountain (57 Occurrences)
... I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that
is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. ...
/f/fountain.htm - 30k

Logia
... see the Father" (A2b); (3) "I stood in the midst of the world, and in flesh was
I seen of them, and I found all men drunken, and none found I athirst among them ...
/l/logia.htm - 19k

Drunk (84 Occurrences)
... thee? when thou art athirst then thou hast gone unto the vessels, and hast
drunk from that which the young men draw.' (YLT). Ruth ...
/d/drunk.htm - 34k

Charged (109 Occurrences)
... and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which
the young men have drawn. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/c/charged.htm - 36k

Whenever (123 Occurrences)
... touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of
that which the young men have drawn.' (See NIV). 1 Samuel ...
/w/whenever.htm - 36k

Athirst: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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