κλίνη

a couch, bed, mat, bier

Definition

The Greek word κλίνη refers to a portable sleeping or resting surface, primarily a 'bed' or 'couch.' In the New Testament, it most often denotes a simple bed or mat used by the sick, as seen when Jesus heals a paralytic who is carried on a κλίνη (Matthew 9:2, Luke 5:18). It can also refer to a domestic couch or bed used for ordinary sleep, as in the parable where a lamp is not put under a κλίνη (Mark 4:21, Luke 8:16). In some contexts, particularly in Mark 7:4, it may refer to a dining couch for reclining at meals, and by extension, it can imply a bier for carrying the dead, as suggested in Luke 7:14 (though the word itself is not used there, the related verb is).

Biblical Usage

Κλίνη is used 10 times in the New Testament, appearing in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke) but not in John, Paul, or other writings. Its usage consistently involves scenes of healing, domestic life, or teaching. In healing narratives (Matthew 9:2, 9:6; Mark 7:30; Luke 5:18), it denotes the portable bed or mat of an infirm person. In parables and teachings (Mark 4:21; Luke 8:16; Luke 17:34), it represents an ordinary household bed. The reference in Mark 7:4 relates to ceremonial washing of dining couches, highlighting Jewish purity customs.

Etymology

Derived from the verb κλίνω (klinō, G2827), meaning 'to lean, recline, or bend.' Thus, κλίνη fundamentally means 'something for reclining upon.' This root connection is evident in words like κλινίδιον (klinidion, G2826), a diminutive form meaning 'a small couch or bed.' The semantic range developed from a general reclining place to specific types like beds, couches, and biers.

Semantic Range

Κλίνη is significant in narratives demonstrating Jesus' authority and compassion. When Jesus forgives and heals the paralytic on his κλίνη (Matthew 9:2-6), the physical object becomes a tangible symbol of both human infirmity and divine power to restore. The word also appears in eschatological teaching (Luke 17:34), where 'one will be taken and the other left' from a shared κλίνη, underscoring the sudden, personal nature of Christ's return. Understanding κλίνη as a simple, portable mat enriches these passages by highlighting the humility of those Jesus healed and the ordinary settings of his profound teachings.

In the first-century Greco-Roman world, a κλίνη was often a simple, lightweight mat or pallet that could be easily carried, as seen when friends bring the paralytic to Jesus. For wealthier households, it could refer to a more permanent couch used for dining while reclining, a common practice at meals. This cultural practice informs passages like Mark 7:4, where Pharisees wash 'couches' (κλίνας) as part of ritual purity laws. The modern concept of a fixed, raised bed differs from this portable, multi-functional item.

κράββατος (krabbatos, G2895) — a poor man's pallet or mat, often used interchangeably with κλίνη in the Gospels (e.g., Mark 2:4, John 5:8). κοίτη (koitē, G2845) — a bed primarily for sleep or marital relations, with stronger connotations of rest or sexual activity (e.g., Romans 13:13, Hebrews 13:4).

Word Details

Scripture References