A hammock, as understood in contemporary terms, is a sling made of fabric, rope, or netting, suspended between two points, used for swinging, sleeping, or resting. While the Bible does not explicitly mention hammocks, the concept of resting or reclining in a suspended or elevated position can be explored through various scriptural themes and historical contexts.

Rest and Repose in Scripture

The Bible frequently addresses the theme of rest, both physical and spiritual. In Genesis 2:2-3 , God Himself sets the precedent for rest: "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day He rested from all His work. Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because on that day He rested from all the work of creation that He had accomplished." This divine rest underscores the importance of taking time to cease from labor and rejuvenate.

In the New Testament, Jesus extends an invitation for spiritual rest in Matthew 11:28-30 : "Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." This passage highlights the deeper rest found in Christ, beyond mere physical relaxation.

Historical Context and Cultural Practices

While the Israelites and other ancient Near Eastern cultures may not have used hammocks as we know them today, they did have practices of reclining and resting. In the ancient world, people often reclined on couches or mats during meals and periods of rest. For example, during the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples reclined at the table, as was customary (Mark 14:18).

The nomadic lifestyle of the Israelites, particularly during their 40 years in the wilderness, required portable and adaptable means of rest. Tents were their primary shelters, and while there is no direct evidence of hammocks, the need for portable rest solutions was evident.

Symbolism of Suspension and Elevation

The concept of being suspended or elevated, as one is in a hammock, can also be seen symbolically in Scripture. Psalm 121:5-8 speaks of God's protective care: "The LORD is your keeper; the LORD is the shade on your right hand. The sun will not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will guard you from all evil; He will preserve your soul. The LORD will watch over your coming and going, both now and forevermore." This passage conveys the idea of being upheld and protected by God, much like the support a hammock provides.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not specifically mention hammocks, the themes of rest, protection, and divine care resonate throughout Scripture. These themes align with the purpose and experience of using a hammock, offering a place of rest and reflection, much like the spiritual rest found in God's presence.1. (n.) A swinging couch or bed, usually made of netting or canvas about six feet wide, suspended by clews or cords at the ends.

2. (n.) A piece of land thickly wooded, and usually covered with bushes and vines. Used also adjectively; as, hammock land.

4412. melunah -- a lodge, hut
... cottage, lodge. Feminine from luwn; a hut, a hammock -- cottage, lodge. see HEBREW
luwn. 4411, 4412. melunah. 4413 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4412.htm - 6k

The Legend of La Brea {331A}
... So he thought; and in his hammock Gnawed his junk of sugar-cane, Toasted plantains
at the fire-stick, Gnawed, and dozed, and gnawed again. ...
/.../kingsley/andromeda and other poems/the legend of la brea.htm

On Mr. Rudyard Kipling and Making the World Small
... Everywhere men have made the way for us with sweat and submission. We may fling
ourselves into a hammock in a fit of divine carelessness. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/iii on mr rudyard kipling.htm

To the Rev. J. Jowett
... I was on the forecastle, discoursing with two of the sailors, [and] one of them
who had just left his hammock told me that he had had a most disagreeable dream ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev j jowett 17.htm

Through-The-Week Activities for Boys' Organized Classes
... Coal Mines, etc. Arts and Crafts: Drawing Bent Iron Work Clay Modeling
Basket Making Hammock Weaving, etc. Stamp Collecting Coin ...
/.../the boy and the sunday school/x through-the-week activities for boys.htm

A Common Mistake and Lame Excuse
... their Saviour. It is their hammock that they put between the bullets and
themselves; and many a good sleep they get upon it! Now ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a common mistake and lame.htm

The Cocal
... camp, belonging to one of our party who was superintending the making of new roads
in that quarter, and there rested our weary limbs, some in hammock, some on ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xiii the cocal.htm

The Testament of Joseph Concerning Sobriety.
... For His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, which shall not be shaken; but my kingdom
among you shall come to an end as a watcher's [182] hammock, which after ...
/.../xi the testament of joseph concerning.htm

First Forgiveness, Then Healing
... If you could have looked into the face of that palsied man, whilst still palsied,
and lying there in that hammock, you would have seen a wonderful ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 41 1895/first forgiveness then healing.htm

Monos
... happens in the Tropics, was not altogether undisturbed; for, shortly after I had
become unconscious of the chorus of toads and cicadas, my hammock came down by ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter vi monos.htm

Acts vii. 54
... Ai& 240;ra "a swing, swinging bed, hammock," or, as here, "litter," or rather,
"a swinging in such a conveyance: after the swinging motion in his litter ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xviii acts vii 54.htm

Hammock (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) A piece of land thickly wooded, and usually covered with bushes and vines.
Used also adjectively; as, hammock land. ...Hammock (1 Occurrence). ...
/h/hammock.htm - 7k

Lodge (64 Occurrences)
... A shed for a watchman in a garden (Isaiah 1:8). The Hebrew name melunah is rendered
"cottage" (qv) in Isaiah 24:20. It also denotes a hammock or hanging-bed. ...
/l/lodge.htm - 29k

Reeleth (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 24:20 The earth shall stagger like a drunken man, and shall sway to and fro
like a hammock; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it, and it ...
/r/reeleth.htm - 6k

Drunken (38 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV). Isaiah 24:20 The earth will stagger like
a drunken man, and will sway back and forth like a hammock. ...
/d/drunken.htm - 18k

Cottage (2 Occurrences)
... It denotes a frail structure of boughs supported on a few poles, which is still
in use in the East, or a hammock suspended between trees, in which the watchman ...
/c/cottage.htm - 8k

Stagger (20 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Isaiah 24:20 The earth will stagger
like a drunken man, and will sway back and forth like a hammock. ...
/s/stagger.htm - 13k

Swayeth (1 Occurrence)
... Isaiah 24:20 The earth shall stagger like a drunken man, and shall sway to and fro
like a hammock; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it, and it ...
/s/swayeth.htm - 6k

Sway (7 Occurrences)
... field. (Root in WEB NIV). Isaiah 24:20 The earth will stagger like a drunken
man, and will sway back and forth like a hammock. Its ...
/s/sway.htm - 9k

Hammolecheth (1 Occurrence)

/h/hammolecheth.htm - 7k

Hammiphkad (1 Occurrence)

/h/hammiphkad.htm - 7k

Hammock: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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