Couch
A place to recline. The bed mentioned in (2Kgs 4:10) and (2Chr 16:14) was probably composed of rope strung on a wooden frame. Most people, however, slept on the floor or a mud-brick bench (1Sam 28:23; Mark 4:21) using garments for mattress and blankets (Exod 22:27). The well-to-do often had a separate bedchamber (2Sam 4:7; 2Kgs 11:2) with elaborate furnishings (Esth 1:6). The bed functions in a number of ways in the Bible: it is a place to sleep or relax (Ps 132:3; Luke 17:34); a sign of wealth (Song 3:7-10); the location of dreams and visions (Job 7:13; Dan 2:28) and good or evil meditation (Ps 63:6; Mic 2:1); a pallet for the sick or disabled (2Sam 3:31; Matt 9:2); the deathbed for the aged (Gen 49:33) or one who has been murdered (2Sam 4:11); a metaphor for death (Job 17:13; Isa 57:2), life (Exod 21:18), apostasy (Ezek 23:17), and marital fidelity (Heb 13:4); the site of lovemaking (Song 3:1), adultery (Gen 49:4), and sexual participation in a foreign cult (Isa 57:7-9); and an area that can receive or transmit contamination (Lev 15:4; Lev 15:5; Lev 21:1-26:5).
