Bed

Beds in ancient Israel ranged from simple reed mats on the floor to elevated couches with carved frames, depending on social status. The Hebrew mittah denotes the sleeping couch (Exodus 8:3), while the rich used beds of ivory inlaid with gold (Amos 6:4), condemned by Amos as a sign of decadent luxury. Saul's bed in 1 Samuel 19:13 was used by Michal to deceive his messengers with a household idol. Jesus's healings frequently involved commanding the healed person to take up their mat and walk (John 5:8; Mark 2:11), reversing the disability that had confined them to bed.