Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJames Hastings Dictionary of the NT: Bed, Couch
Subjects in this Topic:
In the relevant section of the NT four different Greek words are translated ‘bed.’ In Heb_13:4, where the imperatives of the Revised Version should be noted, the marriage-bed ( êïßôç ) is referred to, and is synonymous with the state of marriage itself. In Rev_2:22 the clause âÜëëù áὐôὴí åἰò êëßíçí is to be taken metaphorically, representing the enforced recumbent position of the sick (cf. Mat_9:2, Mar_7:30, also Mat_8:6; Mat_8:14), paralleled in the same verse by åἰò èëῖøéí ìåãÜëçí , the portion of ôïὺò ìïé÷åýïíôáò ìåô ʼ áὐôῆò .
The remaining instances are concrete, involving êëéíáñßùí (‘beds’) and êñáâÜôôùí (‘couches’) in Act_5:15, and êñáâÜôôïõ (this time translated ‘bed,’ both in Authorized Version and Revised Version ) in Act_9:33. Regarding the former of these we find that êëéíáñßùí , the reading of the principal Manuscripts , has replaced an earlier êëéíῶí . êñáâÜôôùí (Vulgate grabatis) has equal manuscript authority with êëéíáñßùí , but êñáâÜêôïõ ( ùí ) and êñáââÜôïõ ( ùí ) are alternative spellings, particularly in Act_9:33. It is difficult to distinguish between the two kinds of beds. êëéíÜñéïí is a ‘small bed,’ with or without reference to structure. In Jewish usage êñÜâáôôïò appears to be descriptive, and to have some connexion with the bands of leather that were used to fill up the framework, by means of which a couch or seat by day could be converted into a bed by night. It is equated to óêßìðïõò , óêéìðüäéïí , which is defined as a mean bed for accommodating one person (Thayer Grimm’s Gr.-Eng. Lexicon of the NT, tr. Thayer ), but may with equal propriety be taken as akin to conch or sofa (see S. Krauss, Talmud. Archäologie, i. [Leipzig, 1910] p. 66). Each kind was portable, and to this end a framework of some sort would have been of service, but was not essential. Meyer justly refuses to accept a distinction which makes the one word mean a soft, costly bed, and the other a poor, humble one. The story of aeneas (Act_9:33-34) suggests the presence of soft materials, which could be smoothed out ( óôñῶóïí ; cf. Mar_14:15). The references to bed and couch are indicative of simplicity, not to say poverty (cf. the fœnum, bed of hay, characteristic of the Jews [Juvenal, Sat. iii. 14 and vi. 541]). The refined and luxurious modes that without doubt prevailed in the Graeco-Roman world are only matter of inference from Rev_18:12.
Although there is no mention of bed in Act_12:3, the passage may be cited as affording a vivid picture of one rising up from sleep, ungirt, with sandals put off, and the upper garment laid aside or perhaps having been used as a covering by night. The passage Heb_11:21 may reasonably be brought within the scope of this article, since it is likely that ‘staff’ should be rendered ‘bed’ (cf. Gen_47:31). See article Staff.
W. Cruickshank.