מִשְׁכַּב (mish.kav)
mish.kav
bed
A:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:N-M
Word Overview
The Aramaic noun mishkav refers to a couch or bed, serving as the equivalent of the Hebrew mishkab (H4904). In the biblical text, it appears exclusively in the Book of Daniel, reflecting the language of the Babylonian court and exile. Its usage is straightforward, denoting the physical place of rest or reclining.
Although the word itself carries no complex theological nuance beyond its literal meaning, its limited occurrence highlights the linguistic shift within Daniel’s narrative. The text moves between Hebrew and Aramaic sections, with mishkav anchoring the Aramaic portions where foreign kings and their courts are described. This single term marks a specific cultural and linguistic setting within the prophetic vision.
Translators consistently render it as "bed" or "couch," maintaining clarity without adding interpretive layers. The word’s presence in Daniel underscores the reality of Israel’s experience among nations, where even the language of rest changes to reflect the surrounding empire’s tongue.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mishkav simply means a bed or place of rest. In the book of Daniel, it appears in Aramaic sections that describe the Babylonian court. This linguistic shift highlights how God’s people lived among foreign empires, adapting to their surroundings while keeping their faith intact.
For your daily life, this reminds us that God is present even in unfamiliar or stressful environments. Whether you are resting at home or facing challenges in a foreign culture, He remains the one who reveals truth and guides your steps. Your place of rest is never outside His care.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- bed/ your2×
- bed/ his1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מִשְׁכְּבָ֣/ךְ1×
- מִשְׁכְּבָ֖/ךְ1×
- מִשְׁכְּבֵ֑/הּ1×
Key Verses
-
Daniel 2:28
but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head on your bed are these:
This verse connects the king’s dream on his bed directly to God’s power to reveal hidden secrets, showing that divine insight transcends human sleep or political power.
-
Daniel 7:1
In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he wrote the dream and told the sum of the matters.
Here Daniel receives a vision while on his bed, indicating that even in ordinary moments of rest, God can initiate profound prophetic encounters for His servants.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does mishkav mean in the Bible?
Why does mishkav appear in Aramaic sections of Daniel?
What is the difference between mishkav (H4903) and mishkab (H4904)?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 3 verses
but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the…
Daniel 2:29“As for you, O king, your thoughts came on your bed, what should happen hereafter; and he who reveals secrets has made…
Daniel 7:1In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head while on his bed. Then he…