Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the concept of a mattress as we understand it today was quite different. The ancient Near Eastern cultures, including those of the biblical world, typically used simple bedding arrangements. The term "mattress" as used in modern language does not appear directly in the Bible, but references to sleeping arrangements can be found throughout the Scriptures.
Biblical References and Context1.
Sleeping Arrangements in Ancient Israel: In ancient Israel, people commonly slept on mats or thin mattresses made of woven reeds, straw, or wool. These were laid on the floor and could be easily rolled up and carried. This is reflected in the account of the paralytic whom Jesus healed, as recorded in the Gospels. In
Mark 2:11 , Jesus tells the man, "I tell you, get up, pick up your mat, and go home." The term "mat" here indicates a simple, portable sleeping arrangement.
2.
Beds and Bedding: Beds in biblical times were often simple platforms or raised areas within a room. In some cases, they were more elaborate, as seen in the description of King Solomon's bed in
Song of Solomon 3:7-8 : "Behold, it is Solomon’s carriage, escorted by sixty warriors from the valiant of Israel. All are skilled with the sword, experienced in warfare. Each has his sword at his side, prepared for the terror of the night." This passage, while poetic, suggests a more luxurious and protected sleeping arrangement for royalty.
3.
Cultural Practices: The use of mats or simple bedding is also evident in the account of the man at the Pool of Bethesda in
John 5:8 , where Jesus says, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk." This further illustrates the common practice of using portable bedding that could be easily moved.
4.
Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons: The simplicity of ancient bedding can also be seen as a reflection of the transient nature of life and the humility expected of believers. In
Matthew 8:20 , Jesus says, "Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head." This highlights the humble and itinerant lifestyle of Jesus, contrasting with the comforts often associated with permanent dwellings and elaborate bedding.
5.
Hospitality and Rest: Hospitality was a significant cultural value in biblical times, and providing a place to rest was an important aspect of this practice. In
2 Kings 4:10 , the Shunammite woman prepares a room for Elisha, saying, "Please let us make a small room upstairs and put in it a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us." This passage underscores the importance of providing comfort and rest for guests.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not explicitly mention "mattresses" as we know them today, the references to mats, beds, and sleeping arrangements provide insight into the daily lives and cultural practices of biblical times. These elements also serve as a backdrop for various teachings and events recorded in Scripture, offering a glimpse into the simplicity and humility that characterized the lives of many biblical figures.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A quilted bed; a bed stuffed with hair, moss, or other suitable material, and quilted or otherwise fastened.
2. (n.) A mass of interwoven brush, poles, etc., to protect a bank from being worn away by currents or waves.
Greek
2895. krabattos -- a camp bed... a camp bed. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: krabattos Phonetic
Spelling: (krab'-bat-os) Short Definition: a bed,
mattress, mat Definition: a bed
...Library
Money for Postage.
... A SPRINGMATTRESS. "Last Summer, when I bought my bedstead, I did not have
money to get either springs or amattress, so I fixed...
The Treasure Cave
... In one corner was a two-seated bari, in another amattress of woven reeds....
Themattress he laid upon the broad top of the sarcophagus....
Some Words and Works of Jesus
... So Jesus said to the man, 'Arise, take up thy bed, and walk.' And at once
the sick man was well, and took up hismattress and walked....
Daniel's Sickness and Happy Death.
... We found him sleeping on amattress. He awoke soon after we entered his room, but
the attendants found it difficult to make him understand who we were....
Christ's Authority to Forgive
... that the palsied man was carried by four friends"no doubt one at each corner of
the bed, which would be some light framework, or even a mere quilt ormattress...
Struggling and Seeking
... gains. No matter how soft is themattress, if there is one tiny thorn
sticking up through it all the softness goes for nothing....
Jesus Heals a Paralytic at Capernaum.
... An Oriental bed is a thinmattress, or pallet, just large enough for a man to lie
upon; and those generally used by the poor to-day are made of sheepskin with...
"Confido"
... During the nights of anguish, when his tortured limbs could find no rest on the
hard strawmattress which he could never be prevailed upon to change for...
"The Pharaoh Drew Nigh"
... With satisfaction in his manner Nechutes conducted his guest into a comfortably
furnished tent, and showed him amattress overlaid with sheeting of fine linen....
Family Habits.
... more consequence, his caste, he submitted to the penalty imposed; this was, that
he should sleep for seven years on a bedstead, without anymattress, the whole...
Thesaurus
Mattress (3 Occurrences)... or waves. Multi-Version Concordance
Mattress (3 Occurrences). Luke 5:25
Instantly he stood up in their presence, took up the
mattress...Bed (142 Occurrences)
... Specifically: A sack ormattress, filled with some soft material, in distinction
from the bedstead on which it is placed (as, a feather bed), or this with the...
Bedstead (1 Occurrence)
... As marking the several stages of that development, we find pictures of the poor,
first sleeping upon the ground without mat ormattress, then in a single...
Bedchamber (6 Occurrences)
... As marking the several stages of that development, we find pictures of the poor,
first sleeping upon the ground without mat ormattress, then in a single...
Pillows (6 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 19:13 and Michal taketh the teraphim, and layeth on the bed, and themattress
of goats' 'hair' she hath put 'for' his pillows, and covereth with a...
Litter (1 Occurrence)
... lit'-er (tsabh): (1) Used upon backs of camels for easy riding, made of a wooden
frame with lightmattress and pillows, also a covering above, supported by...
Layeth (76 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 19:13 and Michal taketh the teraphim, and layeth on the bed, and themattress
of goats' 'hair' she hath put 'for' his pillows, and covereth with a...
Instantly (39 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Luke 5:25 Instantly he stood up in their presence, took up themattress on
which he had been lying, and went away to his home, giving glory to God. (WEY)...
Mattocks (3 Occurrences)
Mattresses (1 Occurrence)
Resources
What is the Acts of John? | GotQuestions.orgMattress: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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