Topical Encyclopedia In biblical times, the concept of a pillow as a support for the head is notably different from the modern understanding of a soft, cushioned object. The use of stones as pillows is a practice mentioned in the Scriptures, reflecting the simplicity and resourcefulness of the patriarchal lifestyle.One of the most significant references to a stone used as a pillow is found in the account of Jacob's dream at Bethel. In Genesis 28:11 , it is recorded: "When Jacob reached a certain place, he spent the night there because the sun had set. Taking one of the stones from that place, he put it under his head and lay down to sleep." This passage highlights the use of a stone as a makeshift pillow during Jacob's journey. The stone, while serving a practical purpose, also becomes a pivotal element in the narrative, as it is later set up as a pillar to commemorate the divine encounter Jacob experiences in his dream. The use of a stone as a pillow in this context underscores the transient and humble conditions of the patriarchs, who often traveled and lived in tents. It reflects a lifestyle that was deeply connected to the land and reliant on the natural resources available. The stone, though hard and uncomfortable by modern standards, served as a necessary support for the head during rest. Furthermore, the stone pillow in Jacob's account carries symbolic significance. After his dream, in which he sees a ladder reaching to heaven with angels ascending and descending, Jacob recognizes the place as the house of God and the gate of heaven. He anoints the stone with oil and names the place Bethel, meaning "House of God" (Genesis 28:18-19). This act of anointing the stone transforms it from a simple support for the head into a sacred monument, marking the site of divine revelation and covenant. The use of stones as pillows is not widely documented elsewhere in Scripture, suggesting that it was not a common practice but rather a situational necessity. However, the account of Jacob at Bethel provides a profound example of how ordinary objects in the biblical narrative can take on extraordinary meaning through divine interaction and human response. In summary, the use of stones as pillows in the Bible serves as a testament to the resourcefulness and faith of the patriarchs. It illustrates the intersection of the mundane and the sacred, where even a simple stone can become a symbol of God's presence and promise. Nave's Topical Index Genesis 28:11,18And he lighted on a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. Nave's Topical Index Library Chapter xxviii Under Verus, Polycarp with Others Suffered Martyrdom at Smyrna. The Death of the Blessed virgin Mary at Ephesus The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem Concerning Persecution Book ii. Jerome Answers the Second, Third, and Fourth Propositions ... Dialogue ii. --The Unconfounded. Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers. Memoir of John Bunyan The Greatness of the Soul, Resources Is it wrong to kill spiders or step on bugs? | GotQuestions.orgWhat 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 Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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