The term "coucheth" is an archaic English word found in older translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version (KJV). It is derived from the verb "to couch," which means to lie down or recline. In the context of the Bible, "coucheth" is often used to describe the posture of animals or people when they are resting or lying down.

Biblical Usage:

1. Animal Imagery:
In the Bible, the imagery of animals couching is frequently used to convey peace, rest, or the natural order of creation. For example, in Genesis 49:9, Jacob blesses his son Judah, saying, "Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as a lioness; who shall rouse him?" . Here, the term "couched" is used to describe the lion's posture, symbolizing strength and majesty at rest.

2. Symbol of Peace:
The act of couching is also used metaphorically to describe a state of peace and security. In Isaiah 11:6-7, the prophet speaks of a future time of harmony: "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and young lion and fatling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will graze with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox" . Although the Berean Standard Bible does not use the word "coucheth," the imagery of animals lying down together conveys a similar sense of tranquility.

3. Human Rest:
The term is also applied to human beings in the context of rest or sleep. In Psalm 23:2, David writes, "He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters" . While the BSB uses "lie down" instead of "coucheth," the imagery remains consistent with the idea of divine provision and rest.

Theological Implications:

The use of "coucheth" in Scripture often carries deeper theological meanings. It can signify God's provision and protection, as seen in the pastoral imagery of Psalm 23. The peaceful coexistence of animals in prophetic literature, such as Isaiah 11, points to the eschatological hope of a restored creation where harmony prevails under God's reign.

In the broader biblical narrative, the concept of rest is significant. It reflects the Sabbath rest instituted by God at creation (Genesis 2:2-3) and serves as a foretaste of the ultimate rest believers anticipate in the eternal kingdom (Hebrews 4:9-11). The imagery of couching, therefore, not only depicts physical rest but also symbolizes spiritual peace and fulfillment found in God's presence.

Conclusion:

While the term "coucheth" itself may not appear in modern translations like the Berean Standard Bible, its underlying themes of rest, peace, and divine provision remain integral to the biblical message. Through the imagery of couching, Scripture invites believers to trust in God's care and look forward to the ultimate peace promised in His kingdom.

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... Ver.9. A lion's whelp is Judah; from the prey, my son, thou goest up; he stoopeth
down, he coucheth as a lion, and as a full-grown lion, who shall rouse him up ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

Songs of Deliverance
... He is, indeed, the great "deep that lieth under," the "deep that coucheth beneath,"
the secret spring and source from which the crystal streams of life flow ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 13 1867/songs of deliverance.htm

There I Saw Moses Blessing the Lord for the Precious Things of ...
... There I saw Moses blessing the Lord for the precious things of Heaven, for the dew
and for the deep that coucheth beneath: and for the precious fruits brought ...
/.../traherne/centuries of meditations/67 there i saw moses.htm

Come and Welcome
... It gusheth up from the depth which coucheth beneath, it cometh from that place which
the eagle's eye hath not seen, and which the lion's whelp hath not passed ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/come and welcome.htm

The Chaff Driven Away
... The precious things of the heavens, the dew, and the deep that coucheth beneath,
and the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and the precious things put ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the chaff driven away.htm

The Gospel Feast
... gifts; the Old Testament is full of the description of them; He gave them "the precious
things of heaven, and the dew, and the deep that coucheth beneath, and ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon xii the gospel feast.htm

A Divided Heart
... They fight for the surface albeit they have never discovered "the deep that coucheth
beneath." They know not the precious ores that lie in the rich mines of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/a divided heart.htm

Fragrant Spices from the Mountains of Myrrh. "Thou Art all Fair ...
... But we cannot kindle the like emotion in others, nor can we give, by word of mouth,
so much as a faint idea of the bliss which coucheth in that exclamation, "Oh ...
/.../spurgeon/till he come/fragrant spices from the mountains.htm

God.
... are sickness, losses, crosses, persecution, and affliction; and usually in these,
though they shock us whenever they come upon us, blessing coucheth and is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/i god.htm

Chapter xlix
... He bless thee". With blessings of the heavens above,. With blessings of the deep
that coucheth beneath,. With blessings of breasts and womb. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

Coucheth (3 Occurrences)
...Coucheth (3 Occurrences). ... and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door: and
unto thee shall be its desire, but do thou rule over it. (ASV JPS). ...
/c/coucheth.htm - 7k

Couches (15 Occurrences)
... father, who shall help thee, and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee, with blessings
of heaven above, blessings of the deep that coucheth beneath, blessings ...
/c/couches.htm - 10k

Couch (55 Occurrences)
... prey. "If thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door" (Genesis 4:7,
the King James Version "lieth"), waiting for it to open. ...
/c/couch.htm - 25k

Couching (4 Occurrences)
... up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door; and unto thee
is its desire, but thou mayest rule over it.' (See RSV). ...
/c/couching.htm - 7k

Beneath (73 Occurrences)
... father, who shall help thee, And by the Almighty, who shall bless thee, With blessings
of heaven above, Blessings of the deep that coucheth beneath, Blessings ...
/b/beneath.htm - 29k

Blesses (18 Occurrences)
... father, who shall help thee, and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee, with blessings
of heaven above, blessings of the deep that coucheth beneath, blessings ...
/b/blesses.htm - 11k

Helps (16 Occurrences)
... father, who shall help thee, and by the Almighty, who shall bless thee, with blessings
of heaven above, blessings of the deep that coucheth beneath, blessings ...
/h/helps.htm - 12k

Desires (151 Occurrences)
... up? and if thou doest not well, sin coucheth at the door; and unto thee
is its desire, but thou mayest rule over it.' (See NIV). ...
/d/desires.htm - 36k

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