In biblical times, mats were simple yet essential items used for various purposes, primarily as bedding or seating. They were typically made from woven materials such as reeds, rushes, or palm leaves, which were abundant in the regions of the ancient Near East. The use of mats is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, highlighting their practical role in daily life and their symbolic significance in certain narratives.

Old Testament References

While the Old Testament does not frequently mention mats explicitly, the use of woven materials for everyday purposes is implied in various contexts. For instance, in the construction of the Tabernacle, materials such as fine linen and woven fabrics were used (Exodus 26:1). This suggests a cultural familiarity with weaving techniques that would have been applied to making mats for domestic use.

New Testament References

The New Testament provides more direct references to mats, particularly in the context of healing miracles performed by Jesus. In the Gospel of Mark, we find the account of the paralytic man who was brought to Jesus on a mat. Mark 2:4 states, "Since they were unable to get to Jesus through the crowd, they uncovered the roof above Him, made an opening, and lowered the paralytic on his mat." This passage illustrates the mat's role as a portable bed, easily carried by the man's friends to facilitate his encounter with Jesus.

Similarly, in John 5:8-9 , Jesus heals a man at the Pool of Bethesda, instructing him, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk." The man immediately obeys, signifying not only his physical healing but also the transformative power of Jesus' command. The mat, in this instance, becomes a symbol of the man's previous condition and his newfound freedom.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance

Mats in biblical times were more than just functional items; they also held cultural and symbolic meanings. As objects associated with rest and healing, mats in the New Testament narratives often symbolize the transition from illness to health, from sin to forgiveness, and from despair to hope. The act of picking up one's mat and walking, as seen in the healing accounts, underscores the completeness of Jesus' healing power and the call to a renewed life.

In a broader cultural context, mats were indicative of hospitality and community life. They were used in homes for seating guests and for sleeping, reflecting the simplicity and humility of daily living in ancient Israel. The communal aspect of sharing space on mats during meals or gatherings also points to the values of fellowship and unity prevalent in biblical society.

Conclusion

While seemingly mundane, mats in the Bible carry rich layers of meaning, from their practical use in everyday life to their symbolic presence in the narratives of Jesus' miracles. They remind us of the simplicity of life in biblical times and the profound impact of Jesus' ministry on those He encountered.7061. qamats -- enclose with the hand, grasp
... 7060, 7061. qamats. 7062 . enclose with the hand, grasp. Transliteration: qamats
Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-mats') Short Definition: take. Word Origin a prim. ...
/hebrew/7061.htm - 6k

4695. matstsuth -- strife, contention
... 4694, 4695. matstsuth. 4696 . strife, contention. Transliteration: matstsuth
Phonetic Spelling: (mats-tsooth') Short Definition: quarrel. ...
/hebrew/4695.htm - 6k

4676. matstsebah -- a pillar, stump
... 4675, 4676. matstsebah. 4677 . a pillar, stump. Transliteration: matstsebah
Phonetic Spelling: (mats-tsay-baw') Short Definition: pillar. ...
/hebrew/4676.htm - 6k

4675. mitstsabah -- perhaps a guard, watch
... 4674, 4675. mitstsabah. 4676 . perhaps a guard, watch. Transliteration: mitstsabah
Phonetic Spelling: (mats-tsaw-baw') Short Definition: army. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/4675.htm - 6k

4684. mitshalah -- a neighing
... 4683, 4684. mitshalah. 4685 . a neighing. Transliteration: mitshalah Phonetic
Spelling: (mats-haw-law') Short Definition: neighing. ...
/hebrew/4684.htm - 6k

4682. matstsah -- unleavened bread or cake
... 4681, 4682. matstsah. 4683 . unleavened bread or cake. Transliteration: matstsah
Phonetic Spelling: (mats-tsaw') Short Definition: bread. ...
/hebrew/4682.htm - 6k

4673. matstsab -- standing place, station, garrison
... 4672, 4673. matstsab. 4674 . standing place, station, garrison. Transliteration:
matstsab Phonetic Spelling: (mats-tsawb') Short Definition: garrison. ...
/hebrew/4673.htm - 6k

4678. matstsebeth -- pillar, substance
... 4677, 4678. matstsebeth. 4679 . pillar, substance. Transliteration: matstsebeth
Phonetic Spelling: (mats-tseh'-beth) Short Definition: pillar. ...
/hebrew/4678.htm - 6k

553. amets -- to be stout, strong, bold, alert
... 552, 553. amets. 554 . to be stout, strong, bold, alert. Transliteration: amets
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-mats') Short Definition: courageous. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/553.htm - 6k

4683. matstsah -- strife, contention
... 4682, 4683. matstsah. 4684 . strife, contention. Transliteration: matstsah
Phonetic Spelling: (mats-tsaw') Short Definition: strife. ...
/hebrew/4683.htm - 6k

Of the Wonderful ChapterHeld by St Francis at St Mary of the ...
... Many tents made of mats had been pitched in that field, divided in groups, according
to the different provinces from whence the friars came; so that this ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter xviii of the wonderful.htm

Death by Disuse
... The little school-children sat in rows in front on the mats with arms demurely folded,
and sparkling eyes fixed solemnly; the grown-up people sat on their mats ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xiii death by disuse.htm

"Pan, Pan is Dead"
... At last we reach a tree partly unoccupied, but it is leafless, alas! On one side
of it a family party is cheerfully feeding behind a shelter of mats. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xxiii pan pan is.htm

More and More
... used to be." "What is that change?" "I don't know, sir, but there is a change in
all things; but there is one thing, I always sweep under the mats now." Many a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/more and more.htm

Letter iv. Personal Habits.
... Wash-stand and bureau were in perfect order, with their white mats, clean
towels, and every accessory of a refined lady's toilet. ...
/.../letter iv personal habits.htm

The Boyhood of Jesus
... There are mats and carpets in the house, and a bright-coloured box with treasures
in it, and a painted wooden stool; and that is nearly all. ...
/.../anonymous/the good shepherd/chapter iii the boyhood of.htm

The Fallacy of the Young Nation
... It consists not of plain things like wine and fire, but of really peculiar, and
local, and exceptional, and ingenious things " things like door-mats, and door ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xviii the fallacy of the.htm

The Circumcision of Jesus
... what was necessary. All these things were put down on mats spread out at
the place where the ceremony was to take place. This was ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xii the circumcision of jesus.htm

I an African Free-Town Subject to Rome
... sky of a very tender blue; here and there, in the strip of deep shade which lies
along the thresholds, white figures crouched upon rush-mats"indolent outlines ...
/.../bertrand/saint augustin/i an african free-town subject.htm

Three Afternoons Off the Track
... A great white man!". And now that the spectacle was safe in the house, the
instincts of hospitality urged clean mats and betel. Betel ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter ii three afternoons off.htm

Mats (2 Occurrences)
...Mats (2 Occurrences). Mark 6:55 and ran around that whole region, and began to bring
those who were sick, on their mats, to where they heard he was. ...
/m/mats.htm - 6k

Tent (333 Occurrences)
... The sides (curtains) of the tent (Isaiah 54:2) are made of strips of goats hair
cloth or from mats woven from split cane or rushes (see Illustration, p. 2948). ...
/t/tent.htm - 48k

Oil (281 Occurrences)
... Usually the crushed fruit is spread in portions on mats of reeds or goats' hair,
the corners of which are folded over the mass, and the packets thus formed are ...
/o/oil.htm - 60k

Matrix (4 Occurrences)

/m/matrix.htm - 8k

Neighborhood (7 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Mark 6:55 and ran around that whole region, and began to bring those
who were sick, on their mats, to where they heard he was. (See RSV). ...
/n/neighborhood.htm - 8k

Wherever (107 Occurrences)
... Mark 6:55 Then they scoured the whole district, and began to bring Him the
sick on their mats wherever they heard He was. (WEY NIV). ...
/w/wherever.htm - 38k

Fox (2 Occurrences)
... See Shark. 4. (n.) A sly, cunning fellow. 5. (n.) Rope yarn twisted together,
and rubbed with tar; -- used for seizings or mats. ...
/f/fox.htm - 13k

Ran (100 Occurrences)
... Mark 6:55 and ran around that whole region, and began to bring those who
were sick, on their mats, to where they heard he was. (WEB ...
/r/ran.htm - 35k

Erech (2 Occurrences)
... The shrine dedicated to Ishtar is apparently now represented by the ruin known as
Buwariyya or "reed-mats," and so called on account of the layers of matting ...
/e/erech.htm - 13k

District (59 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Mark 6:55 Then they scoured the whole district, and began to bring Him
the sick on their mats wherever they heard He was. (WEY). ...
/d/district.htm - 24k

What was in the shadow of Peter that healed people (Acts 5:15-16)? | GotQuestions.org

Mats: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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