### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word κλίνη (klínē), Strong's `{{G2825}}`, derives from the verb κλίνω (klínō), `{{G2827}}`, meaning "to incline," "to bend," or "to recline." This etymological root directly informs its primary semantic range, which encompasses any piece of furniture designed for reclining. Its core meaning is a "couch" or "bed."
The semantic range of κλίνη extends to several specific applications:
1. **A bed for sleep:** The most common understanding, a place where one rests or sleeps.
2. **A sickbed:** Frequently used in the New Testament to refer to the bed upon which an ill or infirm person lies.
3. **A dining couch:** In the Greco-Roman world, it was customary to recline on couches while eating, rather than sitting on chairs at a table. Thus, κλίνη can refer to such a dining couch, which some translations might render as "table" in a functional sense (e.g., for eating upon).
4. **A stretcher or mat:** While distinct from κράββατος `{{G2895}}` (a more humble mat or pallet), κλίνη can also denote a portable bed or stretcher used to carry the sick.
The word therefore signifies a piece of furniture primarily associated with rest, repose, and the horizontal posture, whether for recuperation, sleep, or social dining.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term κλίνη appears approximately 16 times in the New Testament, predominantly in the Synoptic Gospels and Acts, with one significant occurrence in Revelation. Its usage is highly illustrative of its semantic range:
* **Healing Narratives:** The most prominent use of κλίνη is in accounts of miraculous healing, particularly concerning paralytics. In these contexts, the word consistently refers to the "bed" or "mat" upon which the afflicted person lies. Examples include the healing of the paralytic in Capernaum, where the man is brought on his κλίνη to Jesus ([[Matthew 9:2]], [[Matthew 9:6]]; [[Mark 2:4]], [[Mark 2:9]], [[Mark 2:11-12]]; [[Luke 5:18-19]], [[Luke 5:24]]). Similarly, the man at the pool of Bethesda is commanded by Jesus to "take up your bed" ([[John 5:8-11]]). This command is a powerful sign of complete restoration, demonstrating that the person is no longer dependent on the object that once confined them. Peter's healing of Aeneas in Lydda also features κλίνη, as Aeneas is told to "make your bed" ([[Acts 9:33]]). In these instances, κλίνη symbolizes the state of illness and the subsequent liberation from it through divine power.
* **Domestic and Everyday Life:** κλίνη also appears in more mundane contexts, referring to a common household item. For instance, Jesus speaks of a lamp not being placed "under a basket or under a bed" (κλίνη) but on a stand ([[Mark 4:21]]; [[Luke 8:16]]). This illustrates the κλίνη as an ordinary piece of furniture found in homes. In the eschatological discourse, Jesus mentions "two in one bed" (κλίνη) during the night, signifying the suddenness of His return ([[Luke 17:34]]).
* **Dining Couches:** In [[Mark 7:4]], when discussing the Pharisees' traditions, it is mentioned that they do not eat unless they "wash their hands ceremonially, and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups, pots, and bronze vessels, and of κλίνη." Here, κλίνη most likely refers to the dining couches used for reclining at meals, emphasizing the meticulousness of their ritual purity laws applied even to furniture.
* **Figurative Use in Judgment:** A starkly different and highly significant use of κλίνη occurs in [[Revelation 2:22]]. Here, God declares concerning "Jezebel," a false prophetess in Thyatira, "Behold, I will cast her into a bed of sickness (κλίνη), and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds." In this context, κλίνη is transformed from a place of rest or healing into a metaphorical "bed of suffering" or "sickbed of judgment." It signifies severe affliction, perhaps even a fatal illness, as divine punishment for spiritual fornication and idolatry.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of κλίνη is enriched by examining its relationship to other Greek terms and broader concepts:
* **Etymological Root:** The verb κλίνω `{{G2827}}` (to incline, bend, recline, lean) is the direct linguistic ancestor of κλίνη. Understanding the verb helps reinforce the primary function of the noun as a surface for reclining.
* **Synonyms and Related Furniture:**
* κράββατος `{{G2895}}`: Often translated as "mat" or "pallet," this word frequently appears alongside κλίνη in healing narratives, sometimes interchangeably. While κλίνη can denote a more substantial bed, κράββατος typically implies a simpler, often portable mat, particularly associated with the poor or infirm.
* κοίτη `{{G2845}}`: Means "bed" or "couch," but also carries a broader semantic range, including the act of lying down, a resting place, or even sexual intercourse (e.g., "marriage bed").
* στρωμνή `{{G4766}}`: Refers to a "mattress" or "bedding," something spread out to lie upon. It appears in [[Acts 9:33]] in parallel with κλίνη when Aeneas is told to "make your bed."
* **Concepts:** The occurrences of κλίνη are deeply intertwined with theological concepts such as:
* **Sickness and Healing:** The κλίνη is the literal stage for divine intervention in human suffering.
* **Rest and Repose:** Its primary function is a place of rest, whether for sleep or recuperation.
* **Domesticity and Everyday Life:** It grounds biblical narratives in the common experiences of people, showing God's engagement with the mundane.
* **Judgment and Suffering:** In Revelation, it becomes a symbol of divine retribution and affliction.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κλίνη is multifaceted, touching upon themes of divine power, human vulnerability, and eschatological judgment.
Firstly, its frequent appearance in healing miracles underscores the **sovereign power of Jesus and the apostles over sickness and death**. The command to "take up your bed" is not merely a physical act but a profound theological statement. It signifies complete healing, restoration to wholeness, and liberation from the bondage of infirmity. The κλίνη thus becomes a tangible witness to the transformative power of God, removing the physical evidence of sickness and enabling the healed individual to re-enter society as a full participant. This act often serves as a sign of the inbreaking of the Kingdom of God, where suffering is overcome.
Secondly, the κλίνη highlights **human vulnerability and dependence**, particularly in the context of illness. The sick are brought to Jesus on their beds, emphasizing their helplessness and their reliance on divine mercy. This portrays Christ as accessible to the suffering, willing to engage with human weakness and offer compassion.
Thirdly, the κλίνη illustrates that **God's redemptive work permeates everyday life**. It is not confined to temples or sacred rituals but touches the most common and intimate aspects of human existence—sleep, rest, and even suffering within one's own home. This emphasizes the immanence of God and the comprehensive nature of His salvation.
Finally, the unique usage in [[Revelation 2:22]] presents a powerful theological contrast. Here, the κλίνη shifts from a place of potential healing or rest to a **"bed of suffering" or "sickbed of judgment."** This metaphorical use signifies divine retribution for spiritual unfaithfulness and idolatry. It serves as a stark reminder that God's justice can transform even a place of comfort into a place of severe affliction for those who persist in sin. This dual portrayal of κλίνη—as a site of healing and a site of judgment—encapsulates the biblical truth of God's mercy and His unwavering righteousness.
### Summary
The Greek word κλίνη (`{{G2825}}`) refers primarily to a "couch" or "bed," encompassing its use for sleep, sickness, or reclining at meals. Derived from κλίνω (`{{G2827}}`) meaning "to recline," its core function is a surface for rest. In the New Testament, κλίνη prominently features in miraculous healing narratives, where the command to "take up your bed" symbolizes divine power over sickness and complete restoration. It also appears in contexts of everyday domestic life, illustrating God's engagement with the mundane. Most significantly, in [[Revelation 2:22]], κλίνη takes on a metaphorical meaning as a "bed of suffering" or judgment, serving as a powerful symbol of divine retribution. Thus, κλίνη encapsulates themes of human vulnerability, divine compassion, transformative healing, and the solemn reality of God's righteous judgment.
TRV