In biblical times, the concept of a pillow was quite different from the modern understanding of a soft, cushioned item used for sleeping. The term "pillow" in the Bible often refers to various objects used for resting the head, which could range from stones to more elaborate cushions.

Old Testament References

One of the earliest mentions of a pillow is found in the account of Jacob. In Genesis 28:11 , it is recorded, "When Jacob reached a certain place, he spent the night there because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones from that place, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep." Here, the "pillow" is a stone, indicating the simplicity and ruggedness of life during the patriarchal period.

In Ezekiel 13:18 , pillows are mentioned in a different context: "This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the women who sew magic bands on all their wrists and make veils of every size to ensnare souls! Will you ensnare the souls of My people but preserve your own?" The term "pillows" in this passage is often interpreted as referring to cushions or amulets used in false prophetic practices, highlighting the misuse of everyday items for deceptive purposes.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, the use of a pillow is mentioned in the account of Jesus calming the storm. Mark 4:38 states, "But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. So they woke Him and said, 'Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?'" Here, the "cushion" or "pillow" signifies a more developed form of bedding, indicating a level of comfort even in the midst of a storm.

Cultural and Historical Context

Pillows in biblical times were not the plush items we are familiar with today. They were often made from materials readily available, such as stones, wood, or even bundled cloth. The use of a pillow was a sign of rest and repose, but it also carried symbolic meanings in certain contexts, such as in Ezekiel's prophecy.

Symbolism and Interpretation

In a spiritual sense, pillows can symbolize rest and peace, as seen in the account of Jesus sleeping during the storm. This image serves as a powerful reminder of the peace that comes from faith and trust in God, even amidst life's tempests. Conversely, the misuse of pillows in Ezekiel's prophecy serves as a warning against the perversion of ordinary objects for ungodly purposes.

Overall, the biblical references to pillows, though few, provide insight into the daily life and spiritual lessons of the times. They remind believers of the simplicity of ancient life and the deeper spiritual truths that can be drawn from everyday objects.Pillows

Placed on the divans around an eastern reception room. The luxurious appliances mentioned in Ezekiel 13:18-19, were temptations to ease and voluptuousness; and emblems of similar soporifics for the conscience.

Ezekiel xiii. 22
... thou have consumed them." In the same way, it is imagined that the false prophetesses
spoken of in the text were in the habit of wearing pillows, or cushions ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/lecture xx ezekiel xiii 22.htm

"They are not Strangers, Mama"
... themselves eagerly aloft; lifted themselves with such straining effort, that they
lifted the wasted little body from its reclining position among the pillows. ...
/.../they are not strangers mama.htm

The Heavenly Pathway and the Earthly Heart
... upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and
he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the heavenly pathway and the.htm

That the Ruler Should not Set his Heart on Pleasing Men, and yet ...
... Hence it is well said through the prophet, Woe unto them that sew cushions under
every elbow, and make pillows under the head of every stature to catch souls ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter viii that the ruler.htm

The Paschal Supper - the Institution of the Lord's Supper.
... We also know, that, as the Jewish Law directed, they reclined on pillows around
a low table, each resting on his left hand, so as to leave the right free. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter x the paschal supper.htm

A Prince's Bride
... A woman servant hastening after a line of men bearing a great divan, picking up
the draperies and pillows that had dropped, stopped and salaamed to her master. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/miller/the city of delight/chapter i a princes bride.htm

Brother Hugh
... water, and festivals mitigated by fish. Goodbye to pillows and bolsters
and linen shirts. Welcome horse-hair vests, sacking sheets ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter ii brother hugh.htm

The Service Common to the Festivals of the Holy virgin.
... upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and
he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter ii the service common.htm

Lights and Shadows.
... This trial, whatever it be, has this grand motto written upon it in characters of
living light;"we can read it on anguished pillows"aching hearts"ay, on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/vii lights and shadows.htm

Mr. Evil-Questioning Tried and Executed
... questions about matters too high for them; asking, in fact, questions which were
only meant to be some excuse for continuing in their sins, pillows for their ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/mr evil-questioning tried and executed.htm

Pillows (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pillows (6 Occurrences). Genesis 28:11 And he
lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night ...
/p/pillows.htm - 8k

Pillow (8 Occurrences)
... upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and
he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down ...
/p/pillow.htm - 9k

Ensnare (15 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:18 and say, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Woe to the women who sew pillows
on all elbows, and make kerchiefs for the head of persons of every stature ...
/e/ensnare.htm - 10k

Mattress (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 19:13 and Michal taketh the teraphim, and layeth on the bed, and the mattress
of goats' 'hair' she hath put 'for' his pillows, and covereth with a ...
/m/mattress.htm - 7k

Bolster (7 Occurrences)
... It is rightly rendered in Revised Version "at his head." In Genesis 28:11, 18 the
Authorized Version renders it "for his pillows," and the Revised Version ...
/b/bolster.htm - 12k

Cushions (5 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:18 and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe to the women that sew pillows
upon all elbows, and make kerchiefs for the head of persons of every ...
/c/cushions.htm - 8k

Charms (10 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:18 and say, Thus says the Lord Yahweh: Woe to the women who sew pillows
on all elbows, and make kerchiefs for the head of persons of every stature ...
/c/charms.htm - 9k

Maketh (399 Occurrences)
... toucheth at a 'certain' place, and lodgeth there, for the sun hath gone in, and
he taketh of the stones of the place, and maketh 'them' his pillows, and lieth ...
/m/maketh.htm - 34k

Catch (46 Occurrences)
... Ezekiel 13:18 and say, Thus saith the Lord Jehovah: Woe unto the women that sew
pillows for all wrists, and that make veils for the head of persons of every ...
/c/catch.htm - 22k

Taketh (398 Occurrences)
... toucheth at a 'certain' place, and lodgeth there, for the sun hath gone in, and
he taketh of the stones of the place, and maketh 'them' his pillows, and lieth ...
/t/taketh.htm - 35k

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