In biblical literature, the term "sleeper" is often used both literally and metaphorically to describe a state of physical rest or spiritual lethargy. The concept of sleep is prevalent throughout the Scriptures, serving as a symbol for death, spiritual unawareness, or moral indifference.

Literal Sleepers

In the literal sense, sleep is a natural part of human life, as seen in various biblical narratives. For instance, in the Old Testament, God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam before creating Eve from his rib (Genesis 2:21). This divine-induced sleep signifies God's sovereignty and the beginning of human companionship.

The account of Jonah also features a literal sleeper. During a violent storm, Jonah is found sleeping in the hold of the ship, oblivious to the chaos around him (Jonah 1:5-6). His sleep represents a physical escape from his divine mission and a temporary reprieve from his spiritual responsibilities.

Metaphorical Sleepers

Metaphorically, sleep often represents spiritual apathy or moral indifference. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul admonishes believers to awaken from their spiritual slumber: "And do this, understanding the occasion. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed" (Romans 13:11). Here, Paul uses the metaphor of sleep to urge Christians to live in readiness and anticipation of Christ's return.

Similarly, in Ephesians 5:14, Paul writes, "Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you" . This call to awaken is an exhortation to live a life of righteousness and to be vigilant against the darkness of sin.

Sleep as a Symbol of Death

Sleep is also used as a euphemism for death in the Bible. Jesus refers to the deceased daughter of Jairus as merely sleeping, indicating that her death is temporary and that He has the power to restore life (Mark 5:39). Likewise, when speaking of Lazarus, Jesus tells His disciples, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up" (John 11:11). In these instances, sleep underscores the Christian hope in the resurrection and eternal life through Christ.

Spiritual Vigilance

The Bible frequently contrasts sleep with the call to spiritual vigilance. Jesus warns His disciples to stay awake and pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, emphasizing the importance of spiritual alertness in times of trial (Matthew 26:40-41). The parable of the ten virgins further illustrates this theme, where the wise virgins remain prepared for the bridegroom's arrival, while the foolish ones are caught unprepared (Matthew 25:1-13).

In summary, the concept of the sleeper in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol. It encompasses the natural human need for rest, the spiritual danger of complacency, and the hope of resurrection. Believers are encouraged to remain spiritually awake, living in anticipation of Christ's return and the fulfillment of God's promises.1. (n.) One who sleeps; a slumberer; hence, a drone, or lazy person.

2. (n.) That which lies dormant, as a law.

3. (n.) A sleeping car.

4. (n.) An animal that hibernates, as the bear.

5. (n.) A large fresh-water gobioid fish (Eleotris dormatrix).

6. (n.) A nurse shark. See under Nurse.

7. (n.) Something lying in a reclining posture or position.

8. (n.) One of the pieces of timber, stone, or iron, on or near the level of the ground, for the support of some superstructure, to steady framework, to keep in place the rails of a railway, etc.; a string piece.

9. (n.) One of the joists, or roughly shaped timbers, laid directly upon the ground, to receive the flooring of the ground story.

10. (n.) One of the knees which connect the transoms to the after timbers on the ship's quarter.

11. (n.) The lowest, or bottom, tier of casks.

2518. katheudo -- to sleep
... and heudo (to sleep) Definition to sleep NASB Word Usage asleep (8), do their sleeping
(1), goes to bed (1), sleep (3), sleep do (1), sleeper (1), sleeping (8 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2518.htm - 7k7290. radam -- to be in or fall into heavy sleep
... Phonetic Spelling: (raw-dam') Short Definition: asleep. be be in a deep, cast
into a dead, that sleeper, A primitive root; to stun, ie ...
/hebrew/7290.htm - 5k

The Sleeper.
... VI. THE SLEEPER. "Our friend Lazarus sleepeth.""The hopes and fears which
alternately rose and fell in the bosoms of the sisters ...
//christianbookshelf.org/macduff/memories of bethany/vi the sleeper.htm

Whether Nocturnal Pollution is a Mortal Sin?
... xii, 15): "When the same image that comes into the mind of a speaker presents itself
to the mind of the sleeper, so that the latter is unable to distinguish ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether nocturnal pollution is a.htm

Sleepers at Noonday
... Mainly this, that the sleeper and the corpse are alike unconscious of an external
world, unable to receive impressions from it, or to put forth action on it ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/sleepers at noonday.htm

Awake, Thou that Sleepest
... 5. If this sleeper be not outwardly vicious, his sleep is usually the deepest of
all: whether he be of the Laodicean spirit, "neither cold nor hot," but a quiet ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 3 awake thou that.htm

Hymn Before Sleep
... future may disclose; More oft the truth is darkened, And lying fantasy Deceives
the affrighted sleeper With cunning treachery. To him ...
/.../prudentius/the hymns of prudentius/vi hymn before sleep.htm

Sin is Only from the Will. His Own Life and Will Best Known to ...
... should inquire of the human nature in these men, I should easily bring out the desired
answer, by asking in this manner: Suppose that the sleeper already knew ...
/.../chapter 10 name is only.htm

Whether Divination by Dreams is Unlawful?
... It is corporal in so far as the sleeper's imagination is affected either by the
surrounding air, or through an impression of a heavenly body, so that certain ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether divination by dreams is.htm

Awake! Awake!
... may be merriment in the house, but the sluggard shareth not in its gladness; there
may be death in the family but no tear bedeweth the cheek of the sleeper. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/awake awake.htm

Whether the Acts of the Sensitive Powers Remain in the Separated ...
... For it is clear that there is no comparison between the soul of a sleeper and the
separated soul: since the soul of the sleeper uses the organ of imagination ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether the acts of the 3.htm

The Sluggard's Garden
... This indolent sleeper asks only for a little: 'A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to sleep.' Do we not all know that mood of mind ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the sluggards garden.htm

Sleeper (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sleeper (3 Occurrences). ... Psalms 78:65 And the Lord waketh
as a sleeper, As a mighty one crying aloud from wine. (YLT). ...
/s/sleeper.htm - 8k

Sleepest (5 Occurrences)
... with thee. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). Jonah 1:6 So the shipmaster came to him, and
said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call ...
/s/sleepest.htm - 7k

Waketh (8 Occurrences)
... up all His fury. (YLT). Psalms 78:65 And the Lord waketh as a sleeper, As
a mighty one crying aloud from wine. (YLT). Song of Songs ...
/w/waketh.htm - 8k

Meanest (4 Occurrences)
... these? (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). Jonah 1:6 So the shipmaster came to him, and
said unto him, What meanest thou, O sleeper? arise, call ...
/m/meanest.htm - 7k

Maybe (5 Occurrences)
... Maybe he will save your life." (WEB). Jonah 1:6 So the shipmaster came to him, and
said to him, "What do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God! ...
/m/maybe.htm - 8k

Pledge (55 Occurrences)
... DRESS) not worn while doing manual labor) so taken must be restored at night (Exodus
22:26 Deuteronomy 24:12, 13), for it was the usual covering of the sleeper...
/p/pledge.htm - 28k

Bethink (4 Occurrences)
... ASV WBS). Jonah 1:6 And the chief of the company draweth near to him, and
saith to him, 'What -- to thee, O sleeper? rise, call unto ...
/b/bethink.htm - 8k

Bolster (7 Occurrences)
... Version marg. "quilt" or "network," probably means some counterpane or veil
intended to protect the head of the sleeper. A different ...
/b/bolster.htm - 12k

Bed (142 Occurrences)
... Sleeping in the open air was not uncommon, the sleeper wrapping himself in
his outer garment (Exodus 22:26, 27; Deuteronomy 24:12, 13). ...
/b/bed.htm - 52k

Shipmaster (2 Occurrences)
... NAS RSV). Jonah 1:6 So the shipmaster came to him, and said to him, "What
do you mean, sleeper? Arise, call on your God! Maybe your ...
/s/shipmaster.htm - 7k

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