from נָטָה; a bed (as extended) forsleeping or eating; by analogy, a sofa, litter or bier; bed(-chamber), bier.
Transliteration:miṭṭâh
Pronunciation:mit-taw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun miṭṭâh (מִטָּה, `{{H4296}}`) is derived from the verbal root nāṭâh (נָטָה, `{{H5186}}`), which fundamentally means "to stretch out," "to extend," or "to incline." This etymological connection is crucial, as miṭṭâh refers to something that is stretched out or extended for rest. Its primary meaning is "bed" or "couch," a piece of furniture designed for lying down.
The semantic range of miṭṭâh is quite broad, encompassing several specific applications:
1. **Sleeping Bed:** The most common usage, denoting a place for nightly rest.
2. **Dining Couch/Sofa:** In ancient Near Eastern cultures, it was customary to recline on couches while eating, particularly at banquets. miṭṭâh can refer to such a piece of furniture.
3. **Litter/Stretcher:** A portable bed or couch used for carrying a person, often one who is ill or infirm.
4. **Bier:** Specifically, a frame or stand on which a corpse is carried to the grave, or on which it rests before burial.
Thus, miṭṭâh signifies a horizontal surface for resting, whether for sleep, dining, transport, or in death.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term miṭṭâh appears approximately 34 times in the Hebrew Bible, revealing its diverse applications and symbolic weight across various narratives and poetic expressions.
One prominent context for miṭṭâh is the **deathbed**, particularly in the patriarchal narratives. Jacob, at the end of his life, strengthens himself and sits up on his bed to bless his sons, and ultimately breathes his last while lying on his bed ([[Genesis 47:31]], [[Genesis 48:2]], [[Genesis 49:33]]). Here, the miṭṭâh is a locus of final words, blessings, and the transition from life to death, underscoring human mortality and the passing of generations.
The miṭṭâh is also frequently associated with **sickness and vulnerability**. In [[Psalm 41:3]], the psalmist expresses confidence that the Lord will sustain the one who is ill upon their miṭṭâh, turning their bed of suffering into a place of comfort. Conversely, the miṭṭâh can become a place of profound sorrow and lament, as David cries out in [[Psalm 6:6]], "Every night I flood my bed with weeping; I drench my couch with my tears." This vividly portrays the miṭṭâh as a private space for intense emotional expression before God.
Beyond personal use, miṭṭâh can signify **luxury and indulgence**. The prophet Amos condemns the complacent elite of Samaria, who "lie on beds of ivory and stretch themselves out on their couches" ([[Amos 6:4]]). In this context, the miṭṭâh becomes a symbol of excessive comfort and moral decay, highlighting a stark contrast between the opulent lifestyles of the wealthy and the widespread injustice and suffering. Similarly, in prophetic condemnations of idolatry and spiritual infidelity, the miṭṭâh can be associated with illicit sexual practices or pagan rituals, as seen in [[Isaiah 57:7]] and [[Ezekiel 23:41]], where it signifies a place of spiritual prostitution.
Finally, the miṭṭâh can function as a **bier** for the deceased. In [[2 Samuel 3:31]], David commands his people to mourn for Abner, and they walk before his miṭṭâh, indicating its use as a funeral stretcher. This usage underscores the miṭṭâh's role in the final rites and journey of the deceased.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of miṭṭâh is enriched by examining its relationship to other Hebrew terms and broader conceptual themes:
1. **Root Word nāṭâh (נָטָה, `{{H5186}}`):** As noted, the derivation from "to stretch out" is fundamental. This root is used for stretching out hands in prayer or battle, stretching out a tent, or inclining the ear. The miṭṭâh is literally a "stretched-out thing" for rest.
2. **'eres (עֶרֶשׂ, `{{H6210}}`):** Another Hebrew word for "bed" or "couch." While often interchangeable with miṭṭâh, 'eres sometimes carries a stronger connotation of a marital bed or a bed specifically for sexual intimacy, as seen in [[Proverbs 7:16]] or [[Song of Solomon 3:7]].
3. **mishkav (מִשְׁכָּב, `{{H4904}}`):** A more general term for "lying place" or "bed." It can refer to a place of sleep, rest, or sexual intercourse, and is often used in contexts of ritual purity related to bodily discharges or sexual activity. While miṭṭâh emphasizes the object itself, mishkav emphasizes the act of lying down.
4. **Concepts of Rest and Sleep:** miṭṭâh is inherently linked to the human need for rest, restoration, and the nightly cycle of sleep.
5. **Concepts of Vulnerability and Frailty:** The miṭṭâh as a sickbed or deathbed highlights human weakness, dependency, and mortality.
6. **Concepts of Comfort and Luxury:** In contexts like Amos, miṭṭâh becomes a symbol of societal stratification, privilege, and the dangers of excessive indulgence.
### Theological Significance
The miṭṭâh holds several layers of theological significance within the biblical narrative:
1. **Divine Sustenance and Care:** Even in the vulnerability of sickness, the miṭṭâh can be a place where God's sustaining grace is experienced. [[Psalm 41:3]] assures the righteous that "The Lord sustains him on his sickbed; in his illness you restore him to health." This transforms the bed of suffering into a testimony of divine faithfulness and compassion.
2. **A Locus of Lament and Intimate Prayer:** The privacy of the miṭṭâh allows for uninhibited expression of sorrow and direct communion with God. David's weeping on his bed ([[Psalm 6:6]]) exemplifies how this private space becomes an altar for raw, honest prayer, where human frailty meets divine mercy.
3. **Warning Against Complacency and Injustice:** The prophetic critique of luxurious miṭṭâh in Amos ([[Amos 6:4]]) serves as a powerful theological indictment. It underscores that material comfort, when pursued at the expense of justice and righteousness, leads to spiritual blindness and divine judgment. The miṭṭâh here symbolizes a dangerous self-indulgence that distances one from God's covenant demands.
4. **The Reality of Human Mortality:** From Jacob's deathbed ([[Genesis 49:33]]) to Abner's bier ([[2 Samuel 3:31]]), the miṭṭâh consistently reminds humanity of its finite nature. It is the final earthly resting place before the grave, prompting reflection on life's brevity and the ultimate destiny of all.
5. **A Place of Spiritual Purity or Defilement:** In certain contexts, the miṭṭâh can be associated with moral and spiritual purity (e.g., the marital bed) or defilement (e.g., beds used for idolatrous or illicit sexual practices, [[Isaiah 57:7]]). This highlights the biblical emphasis on the sanctity of human relationships and the consequences of spiritual infidelity.
### Summary
The Hebrew word miṭṭâh (מִטָּה, `{{H4296}}`), derived from the root nāṭâh (נָטָה, `{{H5186}}`) meaning "to stretch out," denotes a bed or couch. Its semantic range extends from a place of sleep and rest to a dining couch, a portable litter, and even a bier for the deceased. Biblically, miṭṭâh appears in diverse contexts, serving as a significant element in narratives of death (Jacob's deathbed, [[Genesis 49:33]]), personal lament and divine sustenance (David's weeping, [[Psalm 6:6]]; God's care for the sick, [[Psalm 41:3]]), and prophetic condemnations of luxury and moral decay ([[Amos 6:4]]). Theologically, miṭṭâh underscores human vulnerability, the reality of mortality, the comforting presence of God in suffering, and the dangers of spiritual complacency. Its multifaceted usage provides profound insights into the human condition, divine interaction, and societal ethics within the ancient Israelite worldview.
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