GospelMount
Search Topics Scripture Prayer Resources Ebooks About Support the mission Saved articles

עֶ֫רֶשׂ (e.re.s)

e.re.s

bed

H6210 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 7 verses

H:N-F

Quick Reference

Language
Biblical Hebrew
Testament
Old Testament
Occurrences
7 verses
Root
—
Part of speech
H:N-F

Definition

Definition

couch, divan, bed

Brown-Driver-Briggs

עֶ֫רֶשׂ n.f. couch, divan

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

couch, divan, bed

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Hebrew word for bed often points to more than just furniture; it represents a place of rest, intimacy, or even vulnerability. In daily life, this is where we lay our heads after long days, seeking relief from the day's labors. It can be a sanctuary of peace or a space where deep personal struggles surface in the quiet hours.

Sometimes Scripture uses this image to highlight human frailty. We might find ourselves lying awake, wrestling with worries or pain that no one else sees. Other times, it signifies comfort and closeness with loved ones. The text reminds us that our physical rest is part of God’s design, offering a moment to breathe and trust Him with our burdens.

Whether you are experiencing the joy of shared companionship or the solitude of a restless night, this word invites you to bring your whole self to God. He sees both your comfort and your complaints, offering grace that reaches into the most private corners of your life.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 7 verses where it appears, by frequency.

  • couch/ my2×
  • sarcophagus/ his1×
  • couches/ their1×
  • bed/ our1×
  • a couch1×
  • [was] a sarcophagus of1×
  • [the] couch of1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

  • עַרְשִׂ֑/י2×
  • עָֽרֶשׂ\׃1×
  • עַרְשׂוֹתָ֑/ם1×
  • עַרְשֵׂ֖/נוּ1×
  • עַרְשׂ/וֹ֙1×
  • עֶ֥רֶשׂ1×
  • עֶ֣רֶשׂ1×

Key Verses

  • Job 7:13
    When I say, ‘My bed will comfort me. My couch will ease my complaint,’

    This verse shows the bed as a place where personal suffering and complaint are voiced directly to God, highlighting its role in times of deep distress.

  • Psalms 132:3
    “Surely I will not come into the structure of my house, nor go up into my bed;

    Here the bed represents a vow of dedication, showing that rest can be set aside for the sake of serving the Lord with urgency.

  • Amos 6:4
    who lie on beds of ivory, and stretch themselves on their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the middle of the stall,

    The bed here symbolizes complacency and luxury, warning against a lifestyle that prioritizes comfort over justice and spiritual awareness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Hebrew word e.res mean?

It translates to 'bed' or 'couch' in English. In the Old Testament, it refers to the physical structure used for sleeping but also carries symbolic weight regarding rest, intimacy, and sometimes vulnerability or judgment.

How is e.res different from other words for bed?

While H4131 (mattress/couch) is a close synonym, e.res often appears in contexts involving kings, significant vows, or prophetic judgments. It is the standard term used in narratives like Og’s iron bedstead in Deuteronomy 3:11.

Why does Amos mention beds of ivory?

In Amos 6:4, the 'beds of ivory' represent extreme wealth and luxury. The prophet uses this image to criticize the elite of Israel for their complacency and indifference to the suffering of others while living in opulence.

Every Occurrence (7 verses across 6 books)

Deuteronomy 1 verse
Job 1 verse
Psalms 1 verse
Proverbs 1 verse
Song of Solomon 1 verse
Amos 2 verses