Overview
The Bible addresses thirst across 16 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Psalms, Amos and John. Closely related themes include Seekers, Korah, Access to God and Jacob. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David and Jesus.
Key Bible verses about thirst
Old Testament
Psalms
To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Maschil: or, A Psalm giving instruction of the sons, etc panteth: Heb. brayeth
My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?
My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?
When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; thirsty: Heb. weary where: without water
I stretch forth my hands unto thee: my soul thirsteth after thee, as a thirsty land. Selah.
Amos
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the LORD, and shall not find it.
In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst.
New Testament
John
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.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
Revelation
And he said unto me, It is done. 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.
And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
People in the Bible and thirst
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying thirst for yourself
- Begin with Psalms 42:1, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Psalms, Amos and John each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of David and Jesus and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Seekers, Korah, Access to God and Jacob.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about thirst?
The Bible addresses thirst across 16 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Psalms, Amos and John. Closely related themes include Seekers, Korah, Access to God and Jacob. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David and Jesus.
How many Bible verses are about thirst?
The Bible references thirst in 16 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention thirst?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Psalms 42:1: “To the chief Musician, Maschil, for the sons of Korah. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. Maschil: or, A Psalm giving instruction of the sons, etc panteth: Heb. brayeth”
Which people in the Bible are associated with thirst?
David and Jesus.
Preach & teach
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