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Sleep(insomnia)

/SLEEP/

Summary

Natural bodily rest that Scripture uses as a profound symbol for spiritual torpor and death, with the Christian hope transforming death-sleep into anticipation of glorious awakening.

☩Physical Sleep

Sleep refers to the natural periodic rest of the body, as when Jesus fell asleep in the boat during a storm, resting 'on the pillow' even while severe winds raged around Him. The manner of sleeping in Eastern climates differed greatly from Western customs—beds of feathers were unknown, with the poor sleeping on mats or wrapped in their outer garment, which by law could not be retained as pledge overnight. The wealthy used mattresses stuffed with wool or cotton, and bolsters often more valuable than the mattresses themselves.

Key verses:Matthew 8:24Mark 4:38Exodus 22:26-27

☩Sleep as a Symbol of Death

Scripture frequently uses sleep as a euphemism for death, as when Jesus said of Jairus' daughter, 'The maid is not dead, but sleepeth,' and of Lazarus, 'Our friend Lazarus sleepeth.' Stephen is described as having 'fallen asleep' when he died. Early Christians embraced this imagery—the Greek word 'cemetery' means 'sleeping place.' In the Roman catacombs, inscriptions read 'Victorina Sleeps' and 'Gemella sleeps in Peace,' expressing sure hope of resurrection.

Key verses:Matthew 9:24John 11:11Acts 7:601 Thessalonians 4:13-14

☩Spiritual Sleep

Sleep also symbolizes spiritual torpor and the stupor of sin. Paul warns believers to 'awake out of sleep' since 'the night is far spent, the day is at hand.' Christ uses this imagery in His parables to warn against lack of watchfulness: 'While men slept his enemy came.' The parable of the ten virgins shows both wise and foolish 'slumbered and slept' while awaiting the bridegroom—representing the natural forgetfulness of eternal things that creeps over all humanity.

Key verses:Romans 13:11-12Ephesians 5:14Matthew 13:25Matthew 25:5

Related Verses84 mentions

Psalms· 10 verses

4:813:344:2376:576:6

Proverbs· 10 verses

3:244:166:46:96:10

Mark· 5 verses

4:274:385:3914:3714:41

Genesis· 5 verses

2:2115:1228:1128:1631:40

See Also

Livre de la Vigne nostre Seigneur, fol. 46v
Death
Saint Joseph's dream, 1643-1646
Dream

References

  1. 1.James Hastings (ed.), "Sleep," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  2. 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sleep," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  3. 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sleep," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  4. 4.James Hastings (ed.), "Sleep," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  5. 5.James Hastings (ed.), "Sleep," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
  6. 6.John McClintock and James Strong, "Sleep," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  7. 7.James Hastings (ed.), "Sleep," in Dictionary of the Apostolic Church, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1915–1918).
  8. 8.James Hastings (ed.), "Sleep," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
  9. 9.James Hastings (ed.), "Sleep," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. II (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).