Bible Dictionary
Bed
A bed in biblical times was often a mat, quilt, outer garment, or platform rather than a separate modern frame. Beds were used for sleep, illness, reclining, and carrying the sick.
Definition
A bed in biblical times could be a mat, one or more quilts, an outer garment, a divan, a platform, a light frame, or a more elaborate canopied couch. Beds were used for sleeping, sickness, reclining, and carrying the sick.
Biblical Usage
Scripture presents beds as places of night rest, illness, and reclining. The New Testament also uses the term for a litter or covered couch on which the sick were carried.
Historical Background
A typical bed consisted of bedding spread on a divan or bench along the room’s side or end. The outer garment could serve as a covering, and sleeping in the open air was not uncommon.
Scripture References
Exodus 8:3
1 Samuel 19:13
1 Samuel 19:15
1 Samuel 19:16
Genesis 47:31
Genesis 48:2
Genesis 49:33
1 Samuel 28:23
Amos 3:12
Deuteronomy 3:11
Psalms 132:3
Psalms 6:6
Psalms 41:3
Matthew 9:2
Matthew 9:6
Luke 5:18
Acts 5:15
Exodus 22:26
Exodus 22:27
Deuteronomy 24:12
Deuteronomy 24:13
Amos 6:4
Jdt 13:9
Esther 1:6
2 Kings 4:10
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Heb. mittah), for rest at night (Ex. 8:3; 1 Sam. 19:13, 15, 16, etc.); during sickness (Gen. 47:31; 48:2; 49:33, etc.); as a sofa for rest (1 Sam. 28:23; Amos 3:12). Another Hebrew word (er’es) so rendered denotes a canopied bed, or a bed with curtains (Deut. 3:11; Ps. 132:3), for sickness (Ps. 6:6; 41:3). In the New Testament it denotes sometimes a litter with a coverlet (Matt. 9:2, 6; Luke 5:18; Acts 5:15). The Jewish bedstead was frequently merely the divan or platform along the sides of the house, sometimes a very slight portable frame, sometimes only a mat or one or more quilts. The only material for bed-clothes is mentioned in 1 Sam. 19:13. Sleeping in the open air was not uncommon, the sleeper wrapping himself in his outer garment (Ex. 22:26, 27; Deut. 24:12, 13).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
The Jewish bed consisted of the mattress, a mere mat, or one or more quilts; the covering, a finer quilt, or sometimes the outer garment worn by day, (1 Samuel 19:13) which the law provided should not be kept in pledge after sunset, that the poor man might not lack his needful covering, (24:13) the pillow, (1 Samuel 19:13) probably formed of sheep’s fleece or goat’s skin with a stuffing of cotton, etc.; the bedstead, a divan or bench along the side or end of the room, sufficing at a support for the bedding. Besides we have bedsteads made of ivory, wood, etc. referred to in (3:11; Amos 6:4) The ornamental portions were pillars and a canopy, Judith 13:9, ivory carvings, gold and silver, and probably mosaic work, purple and fine linen. (Esther 1:6; Song of Solomon 3:9,10) The ordinary furniture of a bedchamber in private life is given in (2 Kings 4:10)