Sleep: A Symbol of Death
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In biblical literature, sleep is frequently used as a metaphor for death, illustrating the temporary nature of death for believers and the hope of resurrection. This symbolism is rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, where sleep serves as a gentle and peaceful image of death, contrasting with the finality and fear often associated with it.

Old Testament References

The metaphor of sleep for death is evident in the Old Testament. In Deuteronomy 31:16, God tells Moses, "You are about to rest with your fathers," using the concept of rest as a euphemism for death. Similarly, in 2 Samuel 7:12, God promises David, "When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you." Here, the idea of resting with one's ancestors conveys the notion of death as a peaceful sleep.

The Psalms also reflect this imagery. Psalm 13:3 pleads, "Give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death." The psalmist equates death with sleep, emphasizing the hope for divine intervention to prevent this state. The use of sleep as a metaphor for death underscores the belief in God's power to awaken and restore life.

New Testament References

The New Testament continues this symbolic use of sleep to describe death, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of Paul. In the account of Jairus's daughter, Jesus states, "The child is not dead but asleep" (Mark 5:39). This declaration highlights Jesus' authority over death and His ability to awaken the dead as if from sleep.

In John 11:11, Jesus speaks of Lazarus, saying, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going there to wake him up." This statement precedes the miraculous raising of Lazarus, reinforcing the concept of death as a temporary state from which one can be awakened by divine power.

The Apostle Paul frequently employs the metaphor of sleep to describe the death of believers. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14, he writes, "Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him." Here, Paul comforts the Thessalonians by affirming the hope of resurrection for those who have "fallen asleep" in Christ.

In 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Paul further elaborates on this theme: "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet." The use of sleep signifies the temporary nature of death, with the promise of transformation and eternal life at the resurrection.

Theological Implications

The metaphor of sleep for death carries significant theological implications. It reflects the Christian belief in the resurrection and the assurance that death is not the end but a transition to eternal life. This imagery provides comfort and hope, emphasizing the power of Christ's resurrection and the promise of awakening to a new, glorified existence.

The consistent use of sleep as a symbol for death throughout Scripture underscores the continuity of God's redemptive plan and the assurance of life beyond the grave for those who trust in Him.
Nave's Topical Index
Job 14:12
So man lies down, and rises not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.
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Matthew 9:24
He said to them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleeps. And they laughed him to scorn.
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Mark 5:39
And when he was come in, he said to them, Why make you this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleeps.
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Luke 8:52
And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleeps.
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John 11:11,12
These things said he: and after that he said to them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
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1 Thessalonians 4:14
For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
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Library

The Resurrection of Lazarus.
... The term sleep is used as a symbol of death in 2:Chron.14:1; Psalm 13:8;
Jer.51:57; Job 14:12; Dan.12:2; Matt.27:52; Acts 7:60; 1:Cor.7:39; 1:Thes.4:13. ...
/.../the new testament commentary vol iii john/the resurrection of lazarus.htm

The Death of Lazarus; Christ's Conversation with the Disciples in ...
... The Death of Lazarus; Christ's Conversation with the Disciples ... was, perhaps, in allusion
to this symbol that he ... by Christ; they knew, also, that "sleep" was a ...
/.../section 231 the death of.htm

Notes
... Homer), tum consanguineus Leti Sopor, and Tennyson's "Sleep, Death's twin-brother ...
or vase containing spices, of which myrrh (a symbol of death, according to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/notes.htm

The Sleeper.
... friendship and love stronger than death, and surviving death. ... spoken of taking of
rest in sleep." They understood ... He uses the pleasing symbol of quiet slumber ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/vi the sleeper.htm

Remaining and Falling Asleep
... who have used the word, death has been a sleep that knew no waking, whereas the
very pith and centre of the Christian reason for employing the symbol are that ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/remaining and falling asleep.htm

The Grave Stone.
... though these lie slumbering in the deep sleep of the ... fevered wound, but to gaze on
the appointed symbol of cure ... heard in the "dull, cold ear of death," but at ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/xiii the grave stone.htm

The Absurdity and Impiety of the Heathen Mysteries and Fables ...
... lumps of salt, and a serpent the symbol of Dionysus ... Cyprian poems says Castor was
mortal, and death was decreed ... to love, or beget children, or sleep, if they ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter ii the absurdity and impiety.htm

Christ to Jairus
... of it modified the whole conception of death in the ... restless in feverish tossings,
is but a symbol of the ... God and laps the blessed spirits who 'sleep in Jesus ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/christ to jairus.htm

section ii.
... Sleep is a death; O make me try, By sleeping, what it is to die ... eyes in security,
content to take my leave of the Sun, and sleep unto the ... [180] A symbol of vast ...
//christianbookshelf.org/browne/religio medici/section ii 2.htm

Of the Miracles which God Has Condescended to Adhibit through the ...
... the tormented people healed, but a symbol of the ... set before them in this destruction
of death by death? ... miraculous, because it was an appearance seen in sleep. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 8 of the miracles which.htm

Resources
Why is sleep/sleeping necessary? | GotQuestions.org

Is sleep paralysis the result of spiritual attack? | GotQuestions.org

Will we sleep in heaven? | GotQuestions.org

Sleep: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Sleep

Sleep of Jesus

Sleep of the Sluggard (Very Lazy Person)

Sleep: A Symbol of Death

Sleep: from God

Related Terms

Slumber (14 Occurrences)

Awaking (24 Occurrences)

Wake (34 Occurrences)

Awoke (20 Occurrences)

Awakened (12 Occurrences)

Asleep (50 Occurrences)

Awaked (9 Occurrences)

Folding (14 Occurrences)

Sank (19 Occurrences)

Awake (83 Occurrences)

Dreamer (4 Occurrences)

Bedstead (1 Occurrence)

Drunken (38 Occurrences)

Bedchamber (6 Occurrences)

Trance (7 Occurrences)

Rouse (25 Occurrences)

Eutychus (1 Occurrence)

Awaken (10 Occurrences)

Awaketh (11 Occurrences)

Sleepy (1 Occurrence)

Sleeps (20 Occurrences)

Overcome (300 Occurrences)

Roused (24 Occurrences)

Picked (43 Occurrences)

Sleeping (69 Occurrences)

Locks (29 Occurrences)

Perpetual (57 Occurrences)

Jael (6 Occurrences)

Deep (237 Occurrences)

Slept (74 Occurrences)

Drunk (84 Occurrences)

Lain (57 Occurrences)

Third (192 Occurrences)

Rest (831 Occurrences)

Dream (82 Occurrences)

Dead (580 Occurrences)

Quietly (30 Occurrences)

Vigil (2 Occurrences)

Nap (1 Occurrence)

Unusual (4 Occurrences)

Overpowered (12 Occurrences)

Jubilant (13 Occurrences)

Laboring (8 Occurrences)

Lad (66 Occurrences)

Loft (2 Occurrences)

Laborer (7 Occurrences)

Labouring (18 Occurrences)

Labourer (8 Occurrences)

Length (135 Occurrences)

Gradually (2 Occurrences)

Wakened (3 Occurrences)

Waked (13 Occurrences)

Window (24 Occurrences)

Watches (23 Occurrences)

Inflamed (8 Occurrences)

Idea (64 Occurrences)

Floor (69 Occurrences)

Thick (129 Occurrences)

Twists (12 Occurrences)

Repose (8 Occurrences)

Roost (4 Occurrences)

Eu'tychus (1 Occurrence)

Eyelids (12 Occurrences)

Delilah (7 Occurrences)

Discoursed (4 Occurrences)

Deputies (14 Occurrences)

Discoursing (3 Occurrences)

Pillow (8 Occurrences)

Perpetuity (5 Occurrences)

Permits (6 Occurrences)

Perpetually (10 Occurrences)

Betrayed (31 Occurrences)

Convulsed (7 Occurrences)

Cows (33 Occurrences)

Corruption (37 Occurrences)

Closeth (5 Occurrences)

Awakening (2 Occurrences)

Aroused (29 Occurrences)

Bottom (33 Occurrences)

Sleep/Death
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