"water, Mt. 3:11, 16; 14:28, 29; 17:15; Jn. 5:3, 4, 7; watery fluid, Jn. 19:34; ὕδωρ ζῶν, living water, fresh flowing water, Jn. 4:11; met. of spiritual refreshment, Jn. 4:10; 7:38"
Definition and meaning
water, Mt. 3:11, 16; 14:28, 29; 17:15; Jn. 5:3, 4, 7; watery fluid, Jn. 19:34; ὕδωρ ζῶν, living water, fresh flowing water, Jn. 4:11; met. of spiritual refreshment, Jn. 4:10; 7:38
In the original Greek the word is written: ὕδωρ
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of hydor (G5204) across the King James Bible.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
And he said unto them, Go. And when they were come out, they went into the herd of swine: and, behold, the whole herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, and perished in the waters.
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.
I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.
And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.
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Common questions
Strong's G5204 (hydor) is a Greek word that means: water, Mt. 3:11, 16; 14:28, 29; 17:15; Jn. 5:3, 4, 7; watery fluid, Jn. 19:34; ὕδωρ ζῶν, living water, fresh flowing water, Jn. 4:11; met. of spiritual refreshment, Jn. 4:10; 7:38 It appears 70 times in the King James Bible.
The word hydor (G5204) appears 70 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G5204 is hydor, a Greek word defined as: water, Mt. 3:11, 16; 14:28, 29; 17:15; Jn. 5:3, 4, 7; watery fluid, Jn. 19:34; ὕδωρ ζῶν, living water, fresh flowing water, Jn. 4:11; met. of spiritua. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
hydor is a Greek word found in the New Testament.