In biblical literature, the term "sickbed" refers to the place where an individual lies due to illness or infirmity. The concept of the sickbed is significant in Scripture, as it often serves as a setting for divine intervention, healing, and spiritual reflection.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament provides several instances where the sickbed is a focal point for God's interaction with His people. In Psalm 41:3 , the psalmist expresses confidence in God's care for the sick: "The LORD will sustain him on his bed of illness and restore him from his bed of sickness." This verse highlights the belief in God's power to heal and His compassion for those who are suffering.

The account of King Hezekiah in 2 Kings 20:1-6 is another notable example. Hezekiah becomes ill and is near death, but after fervent prayer and repentance, God extends his life by fifteen years. This narrative underscores the importance of faith and prayer in times of illness and the possibility of divine healing.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the sickbed is often associated with the miraculous healings performed by Jesus Christ. In John 5:8-9 , Jesus heals a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years, saying, "Get up, pick up your mat, and walk." Immediately, the man is healed, demonstrating Jesus' authority over sickness and His compassion for the afflicted.

The sickbed also serves as a setting for the apostles' healing ministry. In Acts 9:33-34 , Peter heals Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years: "Peter said to him, 'Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and put away your mat.' Immediately Aeneas got up." This account illustrates the continuation of Jesus' healing work through His disciples and the power of faith in His name.

Theological Implications

The sickbed in Scripture is not merely a place of physical suffering but also a space for spiritual growth and divine encounter. It is often in moments of illness that individuals turn to God, seeking His mercy and intervention. The Bible encourages believers to pray for the sick, as seen in James 5:14-15 : "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick."

The sickbed serves as a reminder of human frailty and the need for reliance on God's strength and healing power. It is a place where faith is tested and refined, and where the presence of God can bring comfort and restoration.1741. devay -- illness
... Definition: loathsome. Word Origin from davah Definition illness NASB Word Usage
loathsome (1), sickbed* (1). languishing, sorrowful. From ...
/hebrew/1741.htm - 6k

6210. eres -- a couch, divan
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a couch, divan NASB Word Usage bed (1),
bed* (1), bedstead (2), couch (4), couches (1), sickbed* (1). ...
/hebrew/6210.htm - 6k

Chastisements.
... He passes thence to his own case, and, after humble confession of his sin,"almost
in the words of the fifty-first psalm,"he tells how his sickbed had been ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/xiv chastisements.htm

The Hymnwriter
... the Rationalists he published the first of his really great hymns, a song of comfort
to the daughters of Zion, sitting disconsolately at the sickbed of their ...
/.../aaberg/hymns and hymnwriters of denmark/chapter fourteen the hymnwriter.htm

In Bethnal Green Hamlet
... One poor man was just creeping out of his sickbed to his ragged wife and three little
children, who were more than half naked and the very picture of famine. ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/in bethnal green hamlet.htm

Special Practices of Uniformity.
... When we find ourselves confined to our sickbed, let us utter this one prayer: "Thy
will be done." Let us repeat it time and time again and it will please God ...
/.../de liguori/uniformity with gods will/5 special practices of uniformity.htm

"The Least of These My Brethren"
... We shall find His footprints beside the sickbed, in the hovels of poverty, in the
crowded alleys of the great city, and in every place where there are human ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 70 the least of.htm

Application of these Motives
... I am even confounded to think what a difference there is between my sickbed
apprehensions, and my pulpit apprehensions, of the life to come; that ever that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/baxter/the reformed pastor/article 4.htm

The Fall of the House of Ahab
... of well-qualified physicians. The mother, watching by the sickbed of her
child, exclaims, "I can do no more. Is there no physician ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 16 the fall of.htm

God's Promises Tests
... If thou wouldst believe thou shouldst see the glory of God.' Was not Lazarus dearer,
restored from the grave, than he would have been, raised from his sickbed? ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/gods promises tests.htm

The Hindrances to Mourning
... drown in hell. It is a great question whether the sickbed penitent does
not mourn because he can keep his sins no longer. All which ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/9 the hindrances to mourning.htm

The Second Sign in Galilee.
... of display is remarkable. He did not go to Capernaum, to stand by the sickbed,
and be acknowledged as the healer. He made no bargain ...
/.../dods/the expositors bible the gospel of st john vol i/xi the second sign in.htm

Sickbed (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sickbed (2 Occurrences). ... (See RSV). Psalms 41:3 Yahweh
will sustain him on his sickbed, and restore him from his bed of illness. ...
/s/sickbed.htm - 6k

Illness (15 Occurrences)
... physicians. (See NIV). Psalms 41:3 Yahweh will sustain him on his sickbed, and
restore him from his bed of illness. (WEB JPS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/i/illness.htm - 11k

Infirmities (17 Occurrences)
... hate thee. (DBY). Psalms 41:3 Yahweh will sustain him on his sickbed, and
restore him from his bed of illness. (See RSV). Isaiah 53 ...
/i/infirmities.htm - 11k

Sustains (11 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Psalms 41:3 Yahweh will sustain him on his sickbed, and restore him from
his bed of illness. (See RSV). Psalms 54:4 Behold, God is my helper. ...
/s/sustains.htm - 9k

Sickening (2 Occurrences)

/s/sickening.htm - 7k

Sustain (28 Occurrences)
... strength? (WEB NIV). Psalms 41:3 Yahweh will sustain him on his sickbed, and
restore him from his bed of illness. (WEB DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/sustain.htm - 15k

Sick (117 Occurrences)

/s/sick.htm - 44k

Restore (122 Occurrences)
... (Root in WEB JPS ASV NAS NIV). Psalms 41:3 Yahweh will sustain him on his sickbed,
and restore him from his bed of illness. (WEB NAS NIV). ...
/r/restore.htm - 39k

Healest (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Healest (1 Occurrence). Psalms 41:3 Yahweh will sustain
him on his sickbed, and restore him from his bed of illness. (See RSV). ...
/h/healest.htm - 6k

Health (49 Occurrences)
... multiplied. (See JPS). Psalms 41:3 Yahweh will sustain him on his sickbed,
and restore him from his bed of illness. (See NAS). Psalms ...
/h/health.htm - 22k

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