Symbol

Water

Natural Kingdom Symbolic Objects 3 meanings · 9 references

A common element of creation used across both testaments as a figure for cleansing, life, and multitude. Its meaning is set by the passage: the same element washes, indwells, and overwhelms.

Keywords: sea, river, rain, flood, washing, living water
Symbolic meaning
One symbol, many meanings — shown in the contributor’s order.
01
The word of God

Washing by water is applied directly to the cleansing worked by the word, and the same figure stands behind the command to be washed and made clean.

Psalms 119:9 John 15:3 Ephesians 5:26
Minnesha 28 Aug 2026
02
The Holy Spirit

Living water flowing out of the believer is named plainly as the Spirit, and the promise of water poured on dry ground is set beside the pouring of the Spirit.

Isaiah 44:3 Ezekiel 36:25–27 John 7:38–39
Minnesha 28 Aug 2026
03
Peoples, multitudes and nations

In prophetic vision the waters on which the woman sits are interpreted within the passage itself as peoples and tongues, and the raging sea carries the same sense.

Isaiah 17:12 Daniel 7:2–3 Revelation 17:15
Minnesha 28 Aug 2026
Scriptural references
King James Version (public domain).
Psalms 119:9

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.

The word of God
Isaiah 17:12

Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas.

Peoples, multitudes and nations
Isaiah 44:3

For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed.

The Holy Spirit
Ezekiel 36:25–27

Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean … and I will put my spirit within you.

The Holy Spirit
Daniel 7:2–3

The four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea.

Peoples, multitudes and nations
John 7:38–39

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit.)

The Holy Spirit
John 15:3

Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.

The word of God
Ephesians 5:26

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.

The word of God
Revelation 17:15

The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues.

Peoples, multitudes and nations

Book, chapter and verse are stored from a controlled list of 66 books with validated ranges.

Kingdom & classification
Natural Kingdom

Elements and vegetation of the created order — water, fire, wind, trees, seed, harvest.

Symbolic Objects

Things handled or observed rather than acted, named, or numbered.

Published 28 Aug 2026 · approved by Minnesha

The meanings above are interpretation and opinion offered by contributors, not settled doctrine. Read the passages in full and weigh them yourself — you rely on this entry at your own risk. See the terms & conditions.