### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek noun κοίτη (koítē, `{{G2845}}`) originates from the verb κεῖμαι (keimai), meaning "to lie down" or "to be laid." Its most foundational and literal meaning is "a bed," "couch," or "a place for lying down." From this concrete sense, its semantic range expands significantly. By extension, κοίτη can refer to "cohabitation" or "sexual intercourse," particularly when describing activity outside of God's design for marriage. Furthermore, by implication, it can denote "conception" or even "male sperm," as it pertains to the act that initiates new life. This rich semantic spectrum demonstrates how a term for a physical object can evolve to encompass profound relational, ethical, and biological realities within the biblical narrative.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
κοίτη appears five times in the New Testament, each instance providing unique insight into its diverse applications:
* **Literal Bed/Sleeping Place:** In [[Luke 11:7]], κοίτη refers to a physical bed within a household: "My children are with me in bed." This usage reflects the most straightforward and common understanding of the word as a place of rest and sleep.
* **Conception/Procreation:** [[Romans 9:10]] employs κοίτη in the context of biological conception: "when Rebecca had conceived children by one man, our ancestor Isaac." Here, the word points to the act of procreation, specifically the moment of conception, highlighting God's sovereign involvement in the formation of life.
* **Sexual Immorality/Licentiousness:** A more negative connotation is found in [[Romans 13:13]], where κοίτη is translated as "chambering" or "licentiousness": "Let us walk properly, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy." In this context, κοίτη denotes illicit sexual activity, often associated with revelry and moral excess, serving as a warning against ungodly behavior.
* **The Marriage Bed:** Perhaps its most theologically significant use is in [[Hebrews 13:4]]: "Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous." Here, "marriage bed" (κοίτη) represents the intimate sexual relationship within the covenant of marriage. The imperative to keep it "undefiled" underscores the sanctity, purity, and exclusivity of marital intimacy as divinely ordained.
* **Place of Rest/Seat (Figurative):** In [[James 2:3]], while often rendered as "footstool" or "place to sit," the underlying sense of κοίτη ("under my footstool/bed") still relates to a place for resting the body, aligning with its core meaning of a couch or bed.
### Related Words & Concepts
The etymological root of κοίτη is the verb κεῖμαι (keimai, `{{G2749}}`), meaning "to lie" or "to be laid," which naturally connects to the concept of a bed or resting place. Other Greek terms for "bed" or "couch" include κλίνη (klinē, `{{G2825}}`) and κράββατος (krabbatos, `{{G2895}}`). However, κοίτη uniquely carries the extended semantic range encompassing sexual activity and conception.
Conceptually, κοίτη is intimately linked to core biblical teachings on:
* **Marriage and Covenant:** Particularly the sacredness and honor due to the marital union as established by God.
* **Sexual Purity and Immorality:** The sharp contrast between the "undefiled marriage bed" and "chambering" highlights the biblical distinction between God-honoring intimacy and sinful indulgence.
* **Procreation and the Gift of Life:** Its association with conception underscores the miraculous and divine aspect of new life.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of κοίτη is profound, encapsulating both the divinely blessed and the morally corrupt aspects of human sexuality. The phrase "let the marriage bed be undefiled" in [[Hebrews 13:4]] serves as a powerful affirmation of the sanctity, purity, and honor of sexual intimacy exclusively within the covenant of marriage. This verse elevates marital union to a sacred status, reflecting God's original design for human relationship and procreation. It stands as a timeless truth, calling believers to uphold the integrity of marriage against any form of defilement, whether through promiscuity, adultery, or other sexual sin.
Conversely, the use of κοίτη to describe "chambering" or "licentiousness" in [[Romans 13:13]] provides a stark warning against sexual immorality outside of God's boundaries. This usage underscores the destructive nature of such behavior, which is antithetical to the life of holiness to which believers are called. The juxtaposition within the New Testament's usage of κοίτη thus presents a clear ethical framework: sexual expression is either a beautiful, God-honoring act within the confines of marriage or a defiling, sinful act that incurs divine judgment. The word therefore serves as a potent reminder of God's concern for human sexuality and the moral responsibility placed upon individuals to honor His design.
### Summary
κοίτη (koítē, `{{G2845}}`) is a Greek noun with a rich semantic range, extending from its literal meaning of "bed" or "couch" to encompass "sexual cohabitation" and "conception." Its occurrences in the New Testament critically illuminate biblical ethics regarding human sexuality. While simply denoting a physical bed in [[Luke 11:7]], its more profound uses lie in its application to human relationships. In [[Hebrews 13:4]], the "marriage bed" is commanded to be "undefiled," emphasizing the sacredness and purity of marital intimacy as divinely ordained. Conversely, κοίτη in [[Romans 13:13]] condemns "chambering" or illicit sexual activity, underscoring the gravity of sexual sin. Furthermore, in [[Romans 9:10]], it refers to the act of conception, highlighting God's sovereign hand in the formation of life. Thus, κοίτη serves as a pivotal term for understanding the biblical emphasis on the sanctity of marriage, the imperative of sexual purity, and the divine nature of procreation.
TRV