Pillow: A Support for the Head: Made of Goats' Hair
Jump to: Nave'sLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical times, the pillow served as a practical support for the head during rest or sleep. The materials used for making pillows varied, but one notable mention in the Scriptures is the use of goats' hair. This material was likely chosen for its availability and durability, as goats were common in the agrarian societies of the ancient Near East.

The use of goats' hair in the construction of pillows is indirectly referenced in the Bible, particularly in the context of everyday life and domestic settings. Goats' hair was a versatile material, also used in the making of tents and garments, as seen in Exodus 35:26, where the women who were skilled spun goats' hair for the tabernacle. This indicates the material's significance and utility in various aspects of life, including the creation of household items such as pillows.

In 1 Samuel 19:13, we find a narrative involving a household item that may have been similar to a pillow. Michal, David's wife, uses an image and a pillow of goats' hair to create the illusion of David lying in bed to protect him from Saul's men. The Berean Standard Bible translates this passage as follows: "Then Michal took a household idol and laid it in the bed, placed some goats' hair on its head, and covered it with a garment." This account highlights the use of goats' hair in domestic settings and its role in the daily life of biblical characters.

The choice of goats' hair for pillows and other items reflects the resourcefulness of the people in biblical times, utilizing the materials readily available to them. The texture and properties of goats' hair would have provided a certain level of comfort and support, making it a practical choice for a pillow.

While the Bible does not provide extensive details on the construction or use of pillows, the mention of goats' hair in various contexts allows us to infer its significance in the daily lives of the people. The use of such materials underscores the simplicity and functionality that characterized the domestic life of ancient Israel and surrounding cultures.
Nave's Topical Index
1 Samuel 19:13,16
And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem
... piece of her coverlet was rolled up to make a pillow behind her back as a support;
now, at ... She supported His head with one hand and held Him with the other ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiii the journey of the.htm

Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ...
... laid upon the ground served for a pillow, and they ... we fast, [4824] bids us anoint
our head and wash our ... with a perverse ingenuity, twists to the support of his ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/book ii jerome answers the.htm

A Canticle of Love
... He is pleased, quite pleased," and, taking my head between her ... and that is why I
shall be made so welcome ... in my soul"else I could never support the ecstasies ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/martin/the story of a soul/chapter xi a canticle of.htm

Resources
Is it wrong to kill spiders or step on bugs? | GotQuestions.org

What is a prayer cloth? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian view the concept of death with dignity? | GotQuestions.org

Pillow: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Pillow: A Support for the Head: Jesus Sleeps Upon
Top of Page
Top of Page