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Bible Dictionaries
Couch
Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament
or COUCH.—The word ‘couch’ is found in Luke 5:19; Luke 5:24 (as translation of κλινίδιον), where Matthew 9:2; Matthew 9:6 and Mark 2:4; Mark 2:11 have ‘bed’ (κλίνη and κράβαττος respectively; κλίνη also in Luke 5:18). It is found also in (Revised Version margin) of Mark 7:4 as translation of κλίνη. In Acts 5:15, where the Authorized Version and Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 have ‘beds and couches,’ the correct text is ἐπὶ κλιναρίων καὶ κραβάττων, ‘small beds and couches,’ or, as some render, ‘small couches and beds.’ The fact is, the terms used for ‘couch’ and ‘bed’ are not always sharply distinguished—certainly not by translators. The distinction made by Bengel and Kuinoel between κλινῶν (TR [Note: R Textus Receptus.] of Acts 5:15) and κραβάττων, that the former denotes ‘soft and costly,’ and the latter ‘poor and humble,’ beds is quite arbitrary (Meyer). In English usage the distinction between ‘bed’ and ‘couch’ is clear enough; a couch is a piece of furniture on which it is customary to repose or recline when dressed. A like distinction was made by the Romans, and in a measure by the Jews in the time of Christ, when ‘couches’ were often used for the purpose of reclining at meals. They were known among the Romans as triclinia, because they ran round three sides of a table. Such ‘couches’ were undoubtedly in common use among the Jews of Christ’s day, though they are not mentioned in the Gospels in express terms, unless, against the best authorities, we accept καὶ κλινῶν in Mark 7:4. They were provided with cushions, such as are now in vogue, on which the left elbow could rest, so as to leave the right arm free; and were often arranged around three sides of a table in the form of a parallelogram, the fourth side of which was left open for the convenience of those waiting on the guests.
This practice of reclining at table first appears in the Bible in the prophecy of Amos (Amos 6:4, cf. Ezekiel 23:41), and is denounced by the prophet as of foreign origin and as savouring of sinful luxury. The ‘couches’ there coming into view were of costly cedar-wood inlaid with ivory (Amos 6:4); the feet were plated with silver, and the backs covered with gold-leaf (cf. Song of Solomon 3:10). They were usually furnished with pillows and bolsters, often of fine Egyptian linen or silk, and richly embroidered coverings, costly rugs, etc. (cf. Proverbs 7:16). The Tel el-Amarna tablets show how early such luxury prevailed in Palestine, and state that even in those ancient times couches of rare and costly wood inlaid with gold were sent as presents from Palestine to Egypt.
Keeping this in mind will throw light on some otherwise obscure passages in the Gospels, e.g. where the woman is spoken of (Luke 7:36-38) as washing and anointing the feet of Jesus while He was ‘sitting (reclining) at meat in the Pharisee’s house’; where our Lord washed the feet of His disciples while they were at supper (John 13:5); and where it is said of the beloved disciple at the supper that he, ‘leaning back, as lie was, on Jesus’ breast,’ spoke to Him of His betrayer (John 13:25).
There is reason to believe, however, that among the Jewish people in general, in the most ancient times and later, the ‘bed,’ so far as use went, was ‘bed’ and ‘couch’ in one—a plain wooden frame with feet and a slightly raised end for the head (Genesis 47:31), differing very little, indeed, from the bed of the Egyptians represented on the monuments (Wilkinson, Anc. Eg. i. 416, fig. 191). In the daytime and at meals people sat on it, in the most ancient times, perhaps, with crossed legs; and then at night they placed it here or there, as the season or need suggested, and slept on it. In the East to-day the beds are often made by laying bolsters on the raised part of the floor, or on the low divans which run along the walls, and the sitting-room of the day becomes a bedroom at night. (See Bed, Closet).
Geo. B. Eager.
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Hastings, James. Entry for 'Couch'. Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hdn/c/couch.html. 1906-1918.
