The term "sleepeth" is an archaic form of the word "sleeps," often used in older translations of the Bible to describe both physical sleep and metaphorically to describe death. In the Berean Standard Bible, the concept of sleep is used in various contexts, each carrying significant theological implications.

Physical Sleep:
Physical sleep is a natural and necessary part of human life, designed by God for rest and rejuvenation. In the Bible, sleep is often mentioned in the context of God's provision and care. For instance, Psalm 127:2 states, "In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat—for He gives sleep to His beloved." This verse highlights the idea that God provides rest to those He loves, emphasizing trust in His provision over human effort.

Metaphorical Sleep (Death):
In the New Testament, "sleep" is frequently used as a metaphor for death, particularly in the context of believers. This metaphor underscores the temporary nature of death for those who are in Christ, as they await the resurrection. In John 11:11 , Jesus refers to Lazarus's death by saying, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." Here, Jesus uses the term "sleep" to indicate that death is not the end but a state from which believers will awaken.

Similarly, in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 , Paul 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." This passage reassures believers of the hope of resurrection, affirming that those who have "fallen asleep" in Christ will be raised to eternal life.

Spiritual Sleep:
The Bible also warns against spiritual sleep, which refers to a state of spiritual apathy or unawareness. Believers are admonished to remain vigilant and spiritually awake. In Romans 13:11 , Paul exhorts, "And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed." This call to wakefulness serves as a reminder to live in readiness for the Lord's return, maintaining a vibrant and active faith.

Divine Watchfulness:
Contrasting human sleep, the Bible affirms that God does not sleep, highlighting His constant vigilance and care over His creation. Psalm 121:3-4 declares, "He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Behold, the Protector of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." This assurance of God's perpetual watchfulness provides comfort and security to believers, knowing that their lives are under His constant care.

In summary, the concept of "sleepeth" in the Bible encompasses physical rest, the metaphorical understanding of death, the caution against spiritual lethargy, and the assurance of God's unwavering watchfulness. Each aspect invites believers to trust in God's provision, hope in the resurrection, remain spiritually alert, and find peace in His eternal vigilance.

"He that Sleepeth in Harvest is a Son that Causeth Shame. " ...
... XXX. "HE THAT SLEEPETH IN HARVEST IS A SON THAT CAUSETH SHAME." PROVERBS
x. 5. We shall always be in debt to Solomon for these wise ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxx he that sleepeth in.htm

Psalm CXXI.
... God is never asleep: if thou dost wish to have a keeper who never sleepeth, choose
God for thy keeper. ... A mortal may slumber, he sleepeth in death. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxi.htm

The Sleeper.
... VI. THE SLEEPER. "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth.""The hopes ... Their season of aching
anxiety is at an end. Their worst fears are realised.""Lazarus sleepeth." ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/vi the sleeper.htm

Our Relations to the Departed
... OUR RELATIONS TO THE DEPARTED. "She is not dead, but sleepeth." Luke 8:52 A Great
peculiarity of the Christian religion is its transforming ...
/.../chapin/the crown of thorns/our relations to the departed.htm

John xi. 1, 2
... Ver.11, 12. "Our friend Lazarus," He saith, "sleepeth, but I go that I may awake
him out of sleep.". ... "Sayest Thou," asks one of them, "that he sleepeth? ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lxii john xi 1.htm

Matt. Ix. 18
... both they that came said, "Trouble not the Master, for the damsel is dead;" and
those in the house laughed Him to scorn, when He said, "She sleepeth;" and it ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxi matt ix 18.htm

The Resurrection of Lazarus
... Jesus, and after that, (to satisfy them that he was not going into Judea without
a proper call) he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth." Our friend. ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the resurrection of lazarus.htm

Luther's Second Preface.
... John, xi., "our friend Lazarus sleepeth;" Matthew 9. "the maid is not dead but
sleepeth.". In like manner also St. Paul, 1 Corinthians 15. ...
/.../bacon/the hymns of martin luther/luthers second preface.htm

Meditations for the Evening.
... that many go to bed, and never rise again till they be wakened and raised up by
the fearful sound of the last trumpet; but he that sleepeth and wakeneth with ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations for the evening.htm

The Second Part.
... Doth then he that sleepeth live, and he that riseth live not? Is not he that
sleepeth more like death? [1652] And who are they that sleep? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/the second part.htm

Sleepeth (13 Occurrences)
...Sleepeth (13 Occurrences). Matthew 9:24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid
is not dead, but sleepeth. ... the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. ...
/s/sleepeth.htm - 9k

Damsel (43 Occurrences)
... Damsel (43 Occurrences). Matthew 9:24 he said, Give place: for the damsel is not
dead, but sleepeth. ... the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. (KJV WBS). ...
/d/damsel.htm - 20k

Laughed (27 Occurrences)
... Laughed (27 Occurrences). Matthew 9:24 He said unto them, Give place: for the
maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. ...
/l/laughed.htm - 14k

Whiles (8 Occurrences)
... (KJV). Hosea 7:6 For they have made ready their heart like an oven, whiles they
lie in wait: their baker sleepeth all the night; in the morning it burneth as a ...
/w/whiles.htm - 9k

Wept (78 Occurrences)
... wept. (KJV DBY WBS). Luke 8:52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said,
Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. (KJV WBS). Luke ...
/w/wept.htm - 31k

Tumult (56 Occurrences)
... Mark 5:39 And when he was entered in, he saith unto them, Why make ye a tumult,
and weep? the child is not dead, but sleepeth. (ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/t/tumult.htm - 23k

Retem-tree (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 19:5 And he lieth down and sleepeth under a certain retem-tree, and lo,
a messenger cometh against him, and saith to him, 'Rise, eat;' (YLT). ...
/r/retem-tree.htm - 7k

Dreameth (6 Occurrences)
... Genesis 41:5 And he sleepeth, and dreameth a second time, and lo, seven ears
are coming up on one stalk, fat and good, (YLT). Deuteronomy ...
/d/dreameth.htm - 8k

Maid (57 Occurrences)
... Maid (57 Occurrences). Matthew 9:24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid
is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. (KJV WBS). ...
/m/maid.htm - 27k

Preserving (10 Occurrences)
... of God's preserving me? (YLT). Psalms 121:4 Lo, He slumbereth not, nor
sleepeth, He who is preserving Israel. (YLT). Psalms 146:9 ...
/p/preserving.htm - 9k

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