רַאֲשֹׁת
a pillow (being for the head)
Definition
The Hebrew noun רַאֲשֹׁת (raʼăshôth) refers specifically to a 'headrest' or 'pillow,' an object designed to support the head during sleep. It is derived from the word for 'head' (רֹאשׁ, ro'sh), directly indicating its function. This term appears only once in the Old Testament, in 1 Samuel 26:12, where it describes the object at King Saul's head as he slept in his camp. While often translated as 'bolster' (KJV) or 'headrest,' its singular biblical usage points to a tangible item for physical comfort, not a metaphorical concept.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only one time in the entire Old Testament, in the historical narrative of 1 Samuel 26:12. In this context, David and Abishai sneak into Saul's camp at night and find the king asleep with his spear stuck in the ground beside his headrest. The usage is purely descriptive, detailing a physical object in a scene of high tension and potential conflict, highlighting Saul's vulnerability.
Etymology
רַאֲשֹׁת is a feminine noun directly derived from the common Hebrew root רֹאשׁ (H7218, ro'sh), meaning 'head.' The formation indicates 'something pertaining to the head.' This straightforward derivation underscores the object's primary function as a head support. Cognates in other Semitic languages also show words for 'head' forming the basis for terms related to pillows or cushions.
Semantic Range
In the ancient Near East, a headrest was a common item for sleep, often made of stone, wood, or bundled cloth. Unlike modern soft pillows, these could be quite firm. The scene in 1 Samuel 26:12 portrays Saul using a military camp version, likely a simple bundle. Its presence next to his spear—a symbol of his kingly authority and power—creates a stark contrast between his regal station and his defenseless state, a detail significant for the narrative's theme of divine protection and David's restraint.
כֶּסֶת (keseth, H3703) — a covering or pillow, as in Genesis 31:34 (hidden in a camel's saddle). מְרַאֲשׁוֹת (mera'ashoth, H4763) — literally 'at the head,' the place where something is laid, as in Genesis 28:11 (where Jacob lays his head).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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