The concept of sleeplessness, or the inability to sleep, is addressed in various contexts throughout the Bible. While the term "sleepless" itself may not appear frequently, the experiences and implications of sleeplessness are evident in the lives of several biblical figures and in the teachings of Scripture.

Biblical Instances of Sleeplessness

1. David's Restlessness: King David, a man after God's own heart, often experienced sleepless nights, which he expressed in the Psalms. In Psalm 6:6 , David laments, "I am weary from groaning; all night I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears." This verse highlights the emotional turmoil and spiritual struggles that can lead to sleeplessness.

2. Daniel's Vigilance: The prophet Daniel experienced a form of sleeplessness due to his commitment to prayer and fasting. In Daniel 6:18 , after Daniel was thrown into the lions' den, King Darius spent a sleepless night: "Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no entertainment was brought before him, and sleep fled from him." This account illustrates how concern for others and spiritual vigilance can lead to sleeplessness.

3. Paul's Labors: The Apostle Paul frequently endured sleepless nights as part of his ministry. In 2 Corinthians 11:27 , he recounts his hardships: "in labor and toil and often without sleep, in hunger and thirst and often without food, in cold and exposure." Paul's sleeplessness was a result of his dedication to spreading the Gospel and caring for the early church.

Spiritual Implications of Sleeplessness

1. Watchfulness and Prayer: Sleeplessness can be seen as an opportunity for spiritual watchfulness and prayer. Jesus Himself encouraged His disciples to remain awake and pray, especially in times of trial. In Matthew 26:41 , He admonishes them, "Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak." Sleeplessness, therefore, can be a time to seek God's presence and strength.

2. Divine Comfort and Peace: The Bible assures believers of God's comfort and peace, even in times of sleeplessness. Psalm 4:8 declares, "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." This verse emphasizes the trust and security found in God's protection, which can alleviate the anxiety that often accompanies sleeplessness.

3. God's Unfailing Vigilance: Unlike humans, God does not sleep or slumber. Psalm 121:3-4 states, "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 constant vigilance provides comfort to those who are sleepless, knowing that God is always watching over them.

Practical Considerations

While the Bible provides spiritual insights into sleeplessness, it also acknowledges the importance of rest. God designed the Sabbath as a day of rest, emphasizing the need for physical and spiritual rejuvenation. Believers are encouraged to find a balance between spiritual vigilance and the physical rest necessary for health and well-being.

In summary, sleeplessness in the Bible is often associated with spiritual vigilance, emotional distress, and dedication to God's work. It serves as a reminder of the importance of prayer, trust in God's protection, and the assurance of His constant presence.1. (a.) Having no sleep; wakeful.

2. (a.) Having no rest; perpetually agitated.

69. agrupneo -- to be sleepless, wakeful
... to be sleepless, wakeful. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: agrupneo Phonetic
Spelling: (ag-roop-neh'-o) Short Definition: I am awake Definition: I am not ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/69.htm - 7k

70. agrupnia -- sleeplessness, watching
... See 69 (). Word Origin from agrupneo Definition sleeplessness, watching NASB Word
Usage sleepless nights (1), sleeplessness (1). sleeplessness. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/70.htm - 6k

8245. shaqad -- to watch, wake
... A primitive root; to be alert, ie Sleepless; hence to be on the lookout (whether
for good or ill) -- hasten, remain, wake, watch (for). 8244, 8245. ...
/hebrew/8245.htm - 6k

Commendation and Exhortation.
... [1065] Implore additional understanding to what thou already hast. Be watchful,
possessing a sleepless spirit. ... Be watchful, possessing a sleepless spirit. ...
/.../chapter i commendation and exhortation.htm

Terror by Night
... for men, in which the beasts of the forest seek their meat from God, while all things
are springing and growing, man knows not how, under the sleepless eye of ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon xvi terror by night.htm

Pardon and Peace
... better. We know, in the same way, that the strange anxiety which comes over
us in sleepless nights, comes from bodily causes. That ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxix pardon and peace.htm

The Apocalypse of the Holy Mother of God Concerning the ...
... She proceeded and saw [3965] them lying in the fire and the sleepless worm gnawed
them: and the all holy one said: Who are these, and what is their sin? ...
/.../unknown/the apocalypse of the virgin/the apocalypse of the holy.htm

"Their Eyes were Opened, and they Knew Him. "
... The disciples began the morning with a sad heart. I fancy very possibly they
spent a sleepless night. Oh! the terrible disappointment! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/jesus himself/i their eyes were opened.htm

Vesalius the Anatomist {9}
... Don Garcia de Toledo, the prince's faithful governor, is sitting by him, worn out
with sleepless nights, and trying to supply to the poor boy that mother's ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/vesalius the anatomist 9.htm

The New Orphan Houses, Ashley Down.
... The Lord meant to speak to His servant first about this matter, during a sleepless
night, and to lead him fully to decide, before I had seen him.". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/muller/answers to prayer/chapter ii the new orphan.htm

How to Speak in Public
... Once committed to the undertaking, he spends anxious days and sleepless nights in
mental agony, much as a criminal is said to do just prior to his execution. ...
/.../kleiser/successful methods of public speaking/how to speak in public.htm

Money for Postage.
... It was pretty hard"I did not rest well. So, one sleepless night, I said aloud,
'I will just ask the Lord to send me a set of springs.' I kept on day by day. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the wonders of prayer/money for postage.htm

Moreover, it is a Good Thing to Use the Tongue Sparingly...
... be a slave, and unable to fill his belly plentifully, enjoys at least the kind
refreshment of sleep; but the lust of riches is attended by sleepless nights and ...
/.../a metaphrase of the book of ecclesiastes/chapter v moreover it is.htm

Sleepless (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Having no sleep; wakeful. 2. (a.) Having no rest;
perpetually agitated. Multi-Version Concordance Sleepless (2 Occurrences). ...
/s/sleepless.htm - 7k

Toil (66 Occurrences)
... (WEY DBY NAS). 2 Corinthians 6:5 by floggings, by imprisonments; by facing riots,
by toil, by sleepless watching, by hunger and thirst; (WEY). ...
/t/toil.htm - 25k

Sleeplessness (1 Occurrence)
... Sleeplessness (1 Occurrence). 2 Corinthians 6:5 by floggings, by imprisonments;
by facing riots, by toil, by sleepless watching, by hunger and thirst; (See NAS) ...
/s/sleeplessness.htm - 6k

Nights (27 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:27 with labour and toil, with many a sleepless night, in hunger
and thirst, in frequent fastings, in cold, and with insufficient clothing. ...
/n/nights.htm - 14k

Labour (119 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:27 with labour and toil, with many a sleepless night, in hunger
and thirst, in frequent fastings, in cold, and with insufficient clothing. ...
/l/labour.htm - 35k

Insufficient (3 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:27 with labour and toil, with many a sleepless night, in hunger
and thirst, in frequent fastings, in cold, and with insufficient clothing. ...
/i/insufficient.htm - 7k

Facing (79 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS NIV). 2 Corinthians 6:5 by floggings, by imprisonments; by facing riots,
by toil, by sleepless watching, by hunger and thirst; (WEY). ...
/f/facing.htm - 31k

Frequent (10 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:27 with labour and toil, with many a sleepless night, in hunger
and thirst, in frequent fastings, in cold, and with insufficient clothing. ...
/f/frequent.htm - 11k

Floggings (2 Occurrences)
... Floggings (2 Occurrences). 2 Corinthians 6:5 by floggings, by imprisonments; by
facing riots, by toil, by sleepless watching, by hunger and thirst; (WEY). ...
/f/floggings.htm - 6k

Toiled (13 Occurrences)
... 2 Corinthians 11:27 with labour and toil, with many a sleepless night, in hunger
and thirst, in frequent fastings, in cold, and with insufficient clothing. ...
/t/toiled.htm - 10k

What does the Bible say about restlessness? | GotQuestions.org

Sleepless: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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