from שָׁכַב; a bed (figuratively, a bier); abstractly, sleep; by euphemism, carnal intercourse; bed(-chamber), couch, lieth (lying) with.
Transliteration:mishkâb
Pronunciation:mish-kawb'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew noun מִשְׁכָּב (mishkâb, `{{H4904}}`) derives from the verbal root שָׁכַב (shâkab, `{{H7901}}`), meaning "to lie down." This etymological connection is crucial for understanding its core meaning and diverse semantic range. At its most basic, מִשְׁכָּב refers to the "place of lying," thus a "bed" or "couch." However, its usage extends beyond a mere piece of furniture, encompassing the *act* or *state* of lying down itself.
The semantic range includes:
1. **A physical bed or couch:** The literal place for rest, sleep, or reclining.
2. **Figurative "bier":** By extension, the bed upon which one lies in sickness or death, effectively a resting place for the deceased.
3. **Abstract "sleep" or "lying down":** Referring to the state or act of resting, rather than the object.
4. **Euphemism for sexual intercourse:** Most notably, מִשְׁכָּב frequently serves as a euphemism for carnal relations, encompassing both legitimate marital intimacy and illicit sexual acts, particularly those involving defilement or transgression. This usage highlights the profound significance of the "place of lying" in the context of human relationships and covenant fidelity.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term מִשְׁכָּב appears numerous times throughout the Hebrew Bible, revealing its multifaceted applications:
* **As a literal bed/couch:** This is the most common usage, denoting a place of rest or dwelling. Frogs invade Pharaoh's "bed-chambers" in [[Exodus 8:3]]. David flees from Saul, leaving an idol in his "bed" in [[1 Samuel 19:13]]. The Shunammite woman lays her deceased son on the "bed" of the man of God in [[2 Kings 4:21]]. These instances portray מִשְׁכָּב as an ordinary item of furniture, central to daily life.
* **As a place of sickness or death:** The מִשְׁכָּב becomes a site of vulnerability and mortality. Ahaziah falls through a lattice and is confined to his "bed" in [[2 Kings 1:4]], a bed from which he will not rise. This usage underscores human frailty and the inevitability of death.
* **As a euphemism for sexual relations:** This is perhaps the most theologically significant use, particularly in the Pentateuchal laws and prophetic condemnations.
* **Illicit relations:** The term is prominently used in prohibitions against various forms of sexual misconduct, emphasizing the defilement of the "bed." [[Leviticus 18:22]] and [[Leviticus 20:13]] strictly forbid "lying with a male as with a woman," using מִשְׁכְּבֵי אִשָּׁה (mishkĕvē ishshah, "the lyings of a woman"). Similarly, [[Leviticus 18:6-23]] uses מִשְׁכָּב repeatedly to denote forbidden sexual relationships (e.g., with a close relative, a menstruating woman, or an animal). Reuben's defilement of his father's "bed" in [[Genesis 49:4]] is a severe breach of family honor and covenant. In [[Numbers 31:17-18]], Moses commands the killing of Midianite women who have "known man by lying with him," highlighting the moral implications of sexual purity in the context of warfare and holiness.
* **Licit relations:** While often associated with transgression, מִשְׁכָּב can also refer to legitimate marital intimacy, as seen in Rachel's request for Jacob's "bed" from Leah in [[Genesis 30:15]]. This demonstrates that the term itself is neutral, gaining its moral valence from the context and the nature of the act.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is the verbal root שָׁכַב (shâkab, `{{H7901}}`), "to lie down." This root forms the basis for מִשְׁכָּב and is essential for understanding its core meaning. Other Hebrew words for "bed" or "couch" include מִטָּה (mittah, `{{H4296}}`) and עֶרֶשׂ (eres, `{{H6210}}`). While מִטָּה often refers to a bed as an item of furniture (e.g., [[Genesis 47:31]], Jacob bowing on the bed's head), and עֶרֶשׂ can denote a couch or divan, מִשְׁכָּב often carries a stronger emphasis on the *act* or *state* of lying down, particularly in its euphemistic sexual sense. It is the "place of lying" where significant actions occur.
Concepts related to מִשְׁכָּב include:
* **Purity and Defilement:** Central to Israelite law, particularly in the context of sexual ethics.
* **Holiness:** The sanctity of the covenant community, which is threatened by illicit sexual practices.
* **Intimacy:** Both legitimate within marriage and illicit outside its bounds.
* **Vulnerability and Rest:** The bed as a place of repose, sickness, and ultimately, death.
* **Covenant Fidelity:** Breaches of מִשְׁכָּב often signify a deeper spiritual infidelity.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of מִשְׁכָּב is profound, particularly in its euphemistic usage concerning sexual relations. It underscores the biblical emphasis on the sanctity of human sexuality and the profound implications of its use and misuse.
1. **Holiness and Purity:** The frequent use of מִשְׁכָּב in purity laws (e.g., Leviticus 18 and 20) highlights that sexual acts are not merely private matters but have communal and cosmic implications. Defiling the "bed" is an act of spiritual pollution that affects the individual, the family, and the entire covenant community, rendering it unclean before God. This reflects the deep connection between physical purity and spiritual holiness in the Israelite worldview.
2. **Covenant Fidelity:** Violations of מִשְׁכָּב often represent a breach of covenant with God and with one's neighbor. Adultery, incest, and other forbidden sexual acts are not just social transgressions but acts of rebellion against divine order and faithfulness. The מִשְׁכָּב thus becomes a symbol of faithfulness or betrayal within the covenant relationship.
3. **Human Vulnerability and Dependence:** As a place of rest, sickness, and death, מִשְׁכָּב also points to the inherent vulnerability and dependence of humanity. It is in the "bed" that one experiences the deep need for rest, the pain of illness, and the finality of death, all of which underscore the transient nature of life and the ultimate reliance on God.
4. **Divine Judgment and Blessing:** The "bed" can be a place where divine judgment is enacted (e.g., sickness unto death) or where divine blessing is experienced through legitimate intimacy and procreation within the covenant.
### Summary
The Hebrew word מִשְׁכָּב (mishkâb, `{{H4904}}`) is a rich and multifaceted term derived from the verb "to lie down." While primarily denoting a "bed" or "couch," its semantic range extends to encompass the abstract concept of "sleep" and, most significantly, serves as a powerful euphemism for "sexual intercourse." Its occurrences in the biblical text reveal its significance in daily life as a place of rest and vulnerability (sickness, death). Theologically, מִשְׁכָּב is central to understanding Israelite purity laws, particularly concerning sexual ethics. Its use in prohibitions against illicit sexual acts underscores the profound biblical emphasis on holiness, covenant fidelity, and the sanctity of human relationships. The "bed" thus transcends its physical form to become a potent symbol of moral choice, purity, and the sacredness of life itself.
TRV