In biblical times, the term "cushion" refers to a soft pad or pillow used for comfort or support, often found in domestic settings or during travel. Cushions were typically made from materials such as wool, leather, or other fabrics, and stuffed with feathers, wool, or other soft materials. They served both practical and decorative purposes in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including those of the Israelites.

Biblical References:

The most notable mention of a cushion in the Bible is found in the New Testament, in the account of Jesus calming the storm. In Mark 4:38 , it is written: "But Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on the cushion. So they woke Him and said, 'Teacher, don’t You care that we are perishing?'" This passage highlights the use of a cushion as a place of rest and comfort, even amidst a tumultuous situation. The presence of a cushion in the boat suggests a level of preparedness for long journeys, indicating the practical use of such items in daily life.

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient world, cushions were not only used for sleeping but also for seating, especially in the homes of the wealthy or during banquets. They provided comfort and were often seen as a sign of hospitality. The use of cushions in seating arrangements can be inferred from various archaeological findings and historical records, which depict scenes of reclining at meals, a common practice in the Greco-Roman world and among the Israelites.

Cushions could also be symbolic of rest and peace. In the context of Mark 4:38, Jesus' ability to sleep on a cushion during a storm can be seen as a demonstration of His divine peace and authority over nature, contrasting with the disciples' fear and anxiety.

Symbolic Significance:

From a theological perspective, the cushion in Mark 4:38 can be interpreted as a symbol of trust and faith. Jesus' calm demeanor while resting on the cushion serves as a powerful reminder of the peace that comes from faith in God's sovereignty. It challenges believers to find rest in God's promises, even when faced with life's storms.

Practical Application:

In a broader sense, the concept of a cushion can be applied to the Christian life as a metaphor for the comfort and support found in Christ. Just as a cushion provides physical rest, believers are encouraged to seek spiritual rest in Jesus, who invites the weary to find solace in Him (Matthew 11:28). This imagery reinforces the idea of Christ as a refuge and source of strength in times of trouble.

Overall, while the mention of a cushion in the Bible may seem minor, it carries with it layers of cultural, historical, and spiritual significance that enrich the understanding of biblical narratives and their application to the life of faith.1. (n.) A case or bag stuffed with some soft and elastic material, and used to sit or recline upon; a soft pillow or pad.

2. (n.) Anything resembling a cushion in properties or use

3. (n.) a pad on which gilders cut gold leaf

4. (n.) a mass of steam in the end of the cylinder of a steam engine to receive the impact of the piston

5. (n.) the elastic edge of a billiard table.

6. (n.) A riotous kind of dance, formerly common at weddings; -- called also cushion dance.

7. (v. t.) To seat or place on, or as on a cushion.

8. (v. t.) To furnish with cushions; as, to cushion a chaise.

9. (v. t.) To conceal or cover up, as under a cushion.

CUSHION

koosh'-un (proskephalaion): In New Testament, only in Mark 4:38 the Revised Version (British and American). The word means literally, a cushion for the head (the King James Version "pillow") but was also used of one for sitting or reclining upon, e.g. of a rower's cushion. The article used with it in this passage suggests that it was one of the customary furnishings of the boat, and it was probably similar to the cushion placed for the comfort of passengers in the stern of modern boats on the Sea of Galilee. "Silken cushions" of Amos 3:12 the Revised Version (British and American) is a rendering of the Hebrew demesheq from its supposed connection with damask. These cushions formed the divan, often the only article of furniture in an oriental reception room. "Cushions" occurs further in the somewhat doubtful the Revised Version, margin rendering of Proverbs 7:16; Proverbs 31:22.

Benjamin Reno Downer

4344. proskephalaion -- a pillow
... Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: proskephalaion Phonetic Spelling:
(pros-kef-al'-ahee-on) Short Definition: a pillow or cushion Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4344.htm - 6k3704. keseth -- a band, fillet
... pillow. From kacah; a cushion or pillow (as covering a seat or bed) -- pillow. see
HEBREW kacah. 3703, 3704. keseth. 3705 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/3704.htm - 6k

Wesley Likes a Soft Cushion
... Chapter 11. "I do Indeed Live by Preaching"; Wesley's Advice to Travelers;
Wesley and the French Prisoners Wesley Likes a Soft Cushion. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley likes a soft cushion.htm

Vision Third. Concerning the Building of the Triumphant Church ...
... And I see an ivory seat ready placed, and on it a linen cushion, and above
the linen cushion was spread a covering of fine linen. ...
/.../the pastor books first second third/vision third concerning the building.htm

The Two Storms (Jesus Walking on the Water)
... And He Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion: and they awake Him,
and say unto Him, Master, carest Thou not that we perish? ...
/.../chadwick/the gospel of st mark/chapter 4 35-41 6 47-52 the two.htm

Jesus Stills the Storm.
... See McGarvey's "Lands of the Bible," page 519.] ^b 38 And { ^a but} ^b he himself
was in the stern, asleep on the cushion [The cushion was the seat-cover, which ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lv jesus stills the storm.htm

Letter iv. Personal Habits.
... A wicker rocking-chair had a cushion of bright-colored satine firmly tied in, and
matching the ribbons which were drawn through the bordering interstices of ...
/.../letter iv personal habits.htm

While Vergilius, Going Slowly, was Thinking of These Things...
... "I will not have the yellow cushions," she added, quickly. "Here, take these and
bring me two violet ones, and that cushion of gauze filled with rose leaves. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 7 while vergilius going.htm

Anointing the Feet of Jesus.
... to Jesus. But there He reclined, His left elbow resting on a cushion,
and His feet projecting beyond the edge of the couch. Now ...
/.../anonymous/mother stories from the new testament/anointing the feet of jesus.htm

A Heart-Breaking Verse.
... Here is one: He comes to His own, and His own"puts a chair outside the door on
the top-step. It's a large armchair with a cushion in, perhaps. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/a heart-breaking verse.htm

The Embalming of the Body of Jesus.
... on the ground, with her right knee, which was slightly raised, and her back resting
against some mantles, rolled together so as to from a species of cushion. ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter li the embalming of.htm

Outside the Eden Gate.
... He quickly slipped in an air cushion so the shutting might be softened and
delayed, and meanwhile His presence be appealing to the man. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/outside the eden gate.htm

Cushion (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Anything resembling a cushion in properties or use. ... 6. (n.) A riotous kind
of dance, formerly common at weddings; -- called also cushion dance. ...
/c/cushion.htm - 9k

Pad (1 Occurrence)
... 9. (n.) A soft, or small, cushion; a mass of anything soft; stuffing. 10. ... 11.
(n.) A cushion used as a saddle without a tree or frame. 12. ...
/p/pad.htm - 8k

Goat's (6 Occurrences)
... (DBY). 1 Samuel 19:13 Then Michal took the image and put it in the bed, with a cushion
of goat's hair at its head, and she put clothing over it. (BBE WBS). ...
/g/goat's.htm - 8k

English
... 6. (n.) A twist or spinning motion given to a ball in striking it that influences
the direction it will take after touching a cushion or another ball. ...
/e/english.htm - 38k

Cushim (8 Occurrences)

/c/cushim.htm - 8k

Waterfall
... 2. (n.) An arrangement of a woman's back hair over a cushion or frame in some
resemblance to a waterfall. 3. (n.) A certain kind of neck scarf. Int. ...
/w/waterfall.htm - 7k

Woke (10 Occurrences)
... Mark 4:38 He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion, and they woke him
up, and told him, "Teacher, don't you care that we are dying?" (WEB WEY NAS RSV ...
/w/woke.htm - 9k

Rabbi (51 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY ASV DBY YLT NAS NIV). Mark 4:38 But He Himself was in the stern
asleep, with His head on the cushion: so they woke Him. ...
/r/rabbi.htm - 22k

Easy (14 Occurrences)
... 7. (vt) Causing ease; giving freedom from care or labor; furnishing comfort;
commodious; as, easy circumstances; an easy chair or cushion. ...
/e/easy.htm - 11k

Drown (5 Occurrences)
... in WEY NIV). Mark 4:38 But He Himself was in the stern asleep, with His
head on the cushion: so they woke Him. "Rabbi," they cried ...
/d/drown.htm - 8k

What did Jesus mean when He said, “Peace, be still”? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Jesus calming the storm? | GotQuestions.org

Cushion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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