from רֹאשׁ; a pillow (being for the head); bolster.
Transliteration:raʼăshôth
Pronunciation:rah-ash-oth'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term רַאֲשֹׁת (raʼăshôth), Strong's number `{{H7226}}`, is derived directly from the noun רֹאשׁ (roʼsh), `{{H7218}}`, meaning "head," "top," or "chief." This etymological connection is crucial for understanding its core meaning. Fundamentally, רַאֲשֹׁת refers to "that which is for the head" or "at the head." Its primary semantic range encompasses a "pillow" or "bolster," an object used for supporting the head during rest or sleep. However, its usage in biblical texts often extends to denote the immediate vicinity *at* or *by* the head, rather than exclusively a soft cushion. Thus, it can function adverbially to indicate a position.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
While not a frequently occurring word, רַאֲשֹׁת appears in pivotal narratives, lending significant weight to its presence.
1. **Jacob's Dream at Bethel:** The most renowned instance is found in the account of Jacob's flight from Esau.
* [[Genesis 28:11]]: "He took one of the stones of the place and put it under his head (מְרַאֲשֹׁתָיו) and lay down in that place to sleep." Here, the stone serves as Jacob's makeshift pillow. This seemingly mundane detail sets the stage for a profound divine encounter, where Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven. The "pillow" is a hard, natural object, emphasizing Jacob's humble circumstances and the unadorned nature of his encounter with God.
* [[Genesis 28:18]]: After his dream, Jacob sets up this very stone "as a pillar" (מַצֵּבָה) and anoints it with oil, transforming the object of his rest into a sacred monument commemorating God's promise.
2. **David and Saul in the Wilderness:** Another significant context is David's opportunity to kill Saul in the wilderness of Ziph.
* [[1 Samuel 26:7]]: David and Abishai find Saul asleep in his encampment, with "his spear stuck in the ground by his head (בְּרַאֲשֹׁתָיו), and Abner and the people sleeping around him."
* [[1 Samuel 26:11]]: David refuses to harm Saul, saying, "The Lord forbid that I should put out my hand against the Lord's anointed. But now please take the spear that is at his head (מֵרַאֲשֹׁתָיו) and the jar of water, and let us go."
* [[1 Samuel 26:12]]: "So David took the spear and the jar of water from Saul's head (מֵרַאֲשֹׁתָיו), and they went away."
* [[1 Samuel 26:16]]: David confronts Abner, "Why then have you not kept watch over your lord the king? For one of the people came in to destroy your lord the king. This thing is not good that you have done. As the Lord lives, you deserve to die, because you have not kept watch over your lord, the Lord's anointed. And now see where the king's spear is and the jar of water that was at his head (מֵרַאֲשֹׁתָיו)."
In these instances, רַאֲשֹׁת denotes the immediate vicinity of Saul's head, highlighting his vulnerability while sleeping. The spear, positioned "at his head," is a symbol of his authority and protection, which David easily bypasses.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary related word is רֹאשׁ (roʼsh), `{{H7218}}`, the root from which רַאֲשֹׁת is derived. This connection underscores the function of רַאֲשֹׁת as something pertaining directly to the head.
Other related concepts include:
* **Rest/Sleep:** The primary context for the use of a pillow or bolster.
* **Vulnerability:** As seen in Saul's encampment, the area "at the head" during sleep is a point of extreme exposure.
* **Divine Encounter/Presence:** The story of Jacob at Bethel transforms a simple act of resting into a moment of profound spiritual revelation.
* **Memorial/Sacred Space:** The transformation of Jacob's stone pillow into a *matzevah* (pillar) signifies the consecration of a place through divine encounter.
### Theological Significance
The occurrences of רַאֲשֹׁת, though few, carry profound theological weight:
1. **Divine Presence in Austerity:** Jacob's stone pillow ([[Genesis 28:11]]) powerfully illustrates that God's presence and revelation are not confined to grand temples or comfortable settings. Even in a desolate place, with only a hard stone for comfort, God condescends to meet humanity. This emphasizes God's accessibility and sovereignty, transcending human circumstances. The ordinary becomes extraordinary through divine encounter.
2. **Vulnerability and Divine Protection:** In the narrative of David and Saul ([[1 Samuel 26]]), the spear "at Saul's head" symbolizes not only his authority but also his extreme vulnerability in sleep. David's refusal to take Saul's life, despite the ease with which he could have done so by taking the spear from his "pillow" area, underscores his profound reverence for God's anointed and his trust in divine justice. This detail highlights the concept of divine protection over God's chosen, even when seemingly exposed.
3. **Transformation of the Mundane into the Sacred:** The stone that served as Jacob's pillow was not merely discarded; it was consecrated and set up as a pillar ([[Genesis 28:18]]). This act transforms a utilitarian object into a sacred monument, marking a place of covenant and worship. It teaches that God can take the most ordinary elements of human experience and imbue them with sacred significance, making them points of remembrance and encounter.
### Summary
The Hebrew term רַאֲשֹׁת (raʼăshôth), `{{H7226}}`, derived from the word for "head" (`{{H7218}}`), refers to a "pillow" or "bolster," but often denotes the area "at the head" of someone resting. Its most significant biblical occurrences are found in the accounts of Jacob's dream at Bethel ([[Genesis 28:11]]) and David's encounter with a sleeping Saul ([[1 Samuel 26:7]]). Theologically, רַאֲשֹׁת serves as a powerful symbol. In Jacob's story, it signifies God's presence in humble circumstances and the transformation of the mundane into the sacred through divine encounter. In the narrative of David and Saul, it highlights human vulnerability under divine protection and David's profound respect for God's anointed. The word, though simple in its literal meaning, points to profound truths about God's accessibility, sovereignty, and redemptive work in the midst of human life.
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