ζωῆς, (zoes) in Revelation 22:1: Noun Genitive Singular Feminine
ζωῆς, (zoes) in Revelation 22:1
Textual Witness
The witnessed text reads 'καθαρὸν ποταμὸν ὕδατος ζωῆς,' and the target form is the genitive singular feminine 'ζωῆς.'
How The Form Affects Interpretation
The form reinforces the picture of the river as life-related water, which intensifies the scene's sense of divine restoration without overdefining the phrase.
How To Communicate It
The grammar helps translation and teaching render the phrase naturally as 'water of life' or a close equivalent that preserves the relational sense.
What Not To Say
- Grammatical form should serve context, not override it.
- Genitive case suggests relationship, but the exact nuance must stay modest and contextual.
- Grammatical gender is a language category here, not a theological statement about God or persons.
What Does The Label Mean?
Noun: the word names a reality or concept, here the idea of life rather than a verb or modifier.
Genitive: the form usually marks a relationship, so here it modifies the nearby noun phrase rather than standing alone as the main subject.
Singular: the form is grammatically singular in this occurrence, presenting life as a unified idea in the phrase.
Feminine: the noun belongs to the feminine grammatical class, which is a language form and does not by itself make a theological gender claim.
What The Form Does In This Verse
ὕδατος
The genitive is governed by the noun phrase 'water,' so 'of life' describes the kind or quality of the water in the river image.
It functions as a genitive modifier within the phrase 'water of life,' supplying a relational description that helps define the river.
It is not the main action, not a standalone subject, and not a claim that grammar alone determines a full doctrinal meaning.
How Much The Form Matters Here
High: The genitive noun forms the "water of life" image at the start of Revelation 22's final vision.
Genitive singular noun modifying water. characterizes the water as life-related or life-giving. Attached to the water noun in Revelation 22:1. Governed by the river description shown from the throne. The form gives the river image its life language while the vision supplies the theological frame.
What kind of water is described? The genitive identifies the water as water of life, not merely water as a physical substance.
Direct: The genitive relation directly supports the familiar wording "water of life."
The genitive signals relation, but the image should not be overdefined beyond the vision. The feminine gender belongs to the noun's grammatical class and does not add a gendered theological claim.
Genitive always means possession: Here the relation is descriptive or qualitative, naming water characterized by life. life language proves every doctrinal detail from the noun alone: The noun contributes the image; the vision and wider passage carry the fuller theological meaning.
How The Interpretation Is Derived
The witnessed text reads 'καθαρὸν ποταμὸν ὕδατος ζωῆς,' and the target form is the genitive singular feminine 'ζωῆς.'
The lemma ζωή means life, literally or figuratively, so the form keeps that lexical sense while placing it in a relationship with 'water.'
In this verse the genitive works with 'ὕδατος' to describe the river as water associated with life, without requiring more than the phrase itself states.
The vision presents a pure, bright river whose water is characterized by life, fitting the surrounding imagery of divine gift and holiness.
This wording coheres with broader biblical language where life is associated with God's saving and sustaining presence, especially in a holy, restored setting.
For readers and teachers, the grammar helps communicate not just water as substance, but water viewed in relation to life and vitality.
Do not derive from the feminine form any gendered theology, and do not force the genitive to specify more than the context supports.