The term "couched" in the Bible often refers to a position of rest or lying down, typically associated with animals or people in a state of repose. This imagery is used in various contexts throughout Scripture to convey themes of peace, security, and sometimes readiness for action.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 49:9 : "Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion, he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?" In this verse, Jacob blesses his son Judah, comparing him to a lion that is "couched" or lying down. The imagery suggests strength, dominance, and a sense of regal authority. The lion's posture indicates both rest and the potential for sudden action, symbolizing Judah's future leadership and power among the tribes of Israel.

2. Numbers 24:9 : "He crouches, he lies down like a lion, and like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you." This passage is part of Balaam's prophecy concerning Israel. The "couched" lion imagery is used again to describe Israel's strength and invulnerability. It emphasizes the nation's divine protection and the blessings associated with supporting Israel.

3. Deuteronomy 33:13 : "About Joseph he said: 'May his land be blessed by the LORD with the precious dew from heaven above and the deep waters that lie beneath.'" While the term "couched" is not directly used in this verse, the blessings pronounced upon Joseph's land imply a state of abundance and restfulness, akin to the peaceful imagery associated with being "couched."

Theological Significance:

In the biblical context, the imagery of being "couched" often conveys a dual sense of peace and preparedness. It reflects a state of rest that is not passive but rather filled with potential energy and readiness to act when necessary. This duality is significant in understanding the nature of God's people as depicted in Scripture—called to rest in God's promises while being prepared to act according to His will.

The use of animal imagery, particularly lions, in these contexts underscores the themes of majesty, strength, and divine favor. The "couched" position of a lion or lioness serves as a powerful metaphor for the security and authority granted by God to His chosen people.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern culture, lions were symbols of power and kingship. The biblical use of "couched" in relation to lions would have resonated with contemporary audiences, who understood the lion's posture as indicative of both rest and latent power. This cultural understanding enriches the biblical text, providing deeper insight into the nature of God's promises and the expected posture of His people.

Overall, the concept of being "couched" in the Bible is rich with meaning, illustrating the balance between divine rest and readiness, strength and peace, as well as the assurance of God's protection and blessing.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Couch.

2. (a.) Same as Couch.

It is Also Plain that the Public Prayers are not to be Couched in ...
... Of Prayer. John Calvin Chapter 33 It is also plain that the public prayers
are not to be couched in Greek? It is also plain that ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 33 it is also.htm

Treatise on Christ and Antichrist.
... Judah is a lion's whelp: from the shoot, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down,
he couched as a lion, and as a lion's whelp; who shall rouse him up? ...
/.../treatise on christ and antichrist.htm

Discipline
... NUMBERS xxiv..9. He couched, he lay down as a lion; and as a great lion. ... 'He couched,
he lay down as a lion; and as a great lion. Who dare rouse him up?'. ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon i discipline.htm

On the Words, and Rose Again from the Dead on the Third Day, and ...
... There is also the prophecy of Jacob saying in the Scriptures, He lay down and couched
as a lion, and as a lion's whelp: who shall rouse Him up [1662] ? ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xiv on the words.htm

Against Foolish Talking and Jesting.
... Moral and political aphorisms are seldom couched in such terms that they should
be taken as they sound precisely, or according to the widest extent of ...
/.../against foolish talking and jesting.htm

The Barren Fig-Tree;
... them that read. First, The metaphors made use of. Second, The doctrine or
mysteries couched under such metaphors. The metaphors in ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the barren fig-tree.htm

Of Prayer--A Perpetual Exercise of Faith
... Chapter 33 It is also plain that the public prayers are not to be couched in Greek?
Chapter 34 We must now attend not only to a surer method? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/

Hooker -- the Activity of Faith; Or, Abraham's Imitators
... points may be here raised, but I shall hardly handle them both; therefore I will
pass over the first only with a touch, and that lieth closely couched in the ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/hooker the activity of.htm

Against Rash and Vain Swearing.
... James doth insert this about swearing, couched in expression denoting his
great earnestness, and apt to excite our special attention. ...
/.../sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/against rash and vain swearing.htm

Preface.
... the human heart. The book is a tissue of practical counsels, couched in
the clearest and most delicate terms. Hence, judging from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sainte-foi/serious hours of a young lady/preface.htm

Couched (4 Occurrences)
... & pp) of Couch. 2. (a.) Same as Couch. Multi-Version Concordance Couched (4 Occurrences).
Acts 23:25 having written a letter, couched in this form: (DBY). ...
/c/couched.htm - 7k

Couches (15 Occurrences)
... Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp; from the prey, my son, thou art gone up. He
stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as a lioness; who shall rouse him up? ...
/c/couches.htm - 10k

Lioness (13 Occurrences)
... NIV). Numbers 24:9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who
shall rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. ...
/l/lioness.htm - 10k

Naaman (19 Occurrences)
... prophet. Sent by his master with a letter couched in somewhat peremptory
terms to the king of Israel, he came to Samaria for healing. ...
/n/naaman.htm - 15k

Whelp (4 Occurrences)
... Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he
stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up ...
/w/whelp.htm - 10k

Rouse (25 Occurrences)
... NIV). Numbers 24:9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness; who
shall rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. ...
/r/rouse.htm - 14k

Rearing (2 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Ezekiel 19:2 and say: How was thy mother a lioness; among lions she
couched, in the midst of the young lions she reared her whelps! (See RSV). ...
/r/rearing.htm - 7k

Dares (6 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Numbers 24:9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness;
who shall rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. ...
/d/dares.htm - 7k

Blesses (18 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). Numbers 24:9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, as a lioness;
who shall rouse him up? Everyone who blesses you is blessed. ...
/b/blesses.htm - 11k

Cubs (11 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 19:2 and say, What was your mother? A lioness: she couched among lions,
in the midst of the young lions she nourished her cubs. (WEB NAS NIV). ...
/c/cubs.htm - 9k

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