Couchingplace
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The term "couchingplace" is not commonly found in modern translations of the Bible, but it refers to a place where one might lie down or rest, often used in the context of animals or people finding a spot for repose. In biblical times, the imagery of a couching place would evoke thoughts of safety, rest, and sometimes vulnerability, as it is a place where one is settled and at ease.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 49:9 : "Judah is a young lion—my son, you return from the prey. Like a lion, he crouches and lies down; like a lioness, who dares to rouse him?" In this verse, Jacob blesses his son Judah, comparing him to a lion that finds a couching place after a successful hunt. The imagery suggests strength, dominance, and a secure resting place where the lion is unchallenged.

2. Numbers 24:9 : "He crouches, he lies down like a lion, and like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? Blessed is everyone who blesses you, and cursed is everyone who curses you." Here, Balaam speaks of Israel, using the metaphor of a lion in its couching place to describe the nation's power and the divine protection over it. The couching place signifies a position of strength and invulnerability.

3. Job 38:40 : "When they crouch in their dens and lie in wait in the thicket?" This verse is part of God's response to Job, highlighting the natural behavior of lions as they find their couching places in dens or thickets. It underscores the instinctual need for rest and the strategic positioning for future action.

Theological Significance:

In the biblical context, a couching place is more than just a physical location; it symbolizes a state of rest and security provided by God. For the Israelites, the idea of a couching place would resonate with the promise of peace and safety in the Promised Land, a place where they could dwell securely under God's protection.

The imagery of a lion in its couching place also serves as a powerful metaphor for the strength and majesty of God's chosen people or leaders. It conveys the idea that, like a lion, they are formidable and protected, and their resting place is one of confidence and assurance.

Cultural Context:

In ancient Near Eastern culture, the lion was a symbol of power and royalty. A lion's couching place, therefore, would be seen as a place of honor and authority. This cultural understanding enriches the biblical metaphor, emphasizing the dignity and strength associated with those who find their rest in God.

Practical Application:

For believers today, the concept of a couching place can be a reminder of the spiritual rest and security found in a relationship with God. Just as a lion finds peace and safety in its couching place, Christians are invited to find their rest in the promises and presence of God, trusting in His protection and provision.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
COUCHING-PLACE

kouch'-ing-plas (marbets; once in English Versions of the Bible, Ezekiel 25:5): The same Hebrew word, however, which means simply "place of lying down" of animals in repose, is used also in Ze 2:15 where the translation is "a place. to lie down in." The figure, a common one in Scripture (see besides, Isaiah 17:2; Isaiah 27:10), suggests desolation.

Thesaurus
Couchingplace

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Couching (4 Occurrences)

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Couching-place (3 Occurrences)
Couching-place. Couchingplace, Couching-place. Coughed-up . Int. ... (DBY).
Couchingplace, Couching-place. Coughed-up . Reference Bible.
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