A gift from God providing necessary rest, usually at night, for the restoration of mind and body. It is sometimes denied, sometimes used by God for his purposes and sometimes abused by people.
Sleep is a gift from God
It is pleasant and refreshing
Ecclesiastes 5:12 See also 1 Kings 19:5; Jeremiah 31:26; John 11:12–13
The sleep of the worker is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of the rich man permits him no sleep.
It is God's gift to his faithful people
Psalm 127:2 See also Proverbs 3:21–24
In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for bread to eat — for He gives sleep to His beloved.
It is often denied to the wicked
Sleep as a nocturnal activity
It is associated with night-time
1 Thessalonians 5:7 See also Luke 17:34; John 9:4; Romans 13:11–12
For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.
It is associated with dreams
Genesis 28:11–12, Genesis 41:1, Genesis 41:5; Isaiah 29:7–8; Daniel 2:1, Daniel 4:5, Daniel 7:1
It is associated with sexual activity
Genesis 30:15–16; 2 Samuel 11:4 Genesis 16:2, Genesis 16:4; Genesis 26:10, Genesis 30:3–5, Genesis 35:22, Genesis 38:18, Genesis 39:14; Exodus 22:16; Deuteronomy 22:22; 2 Samuel 3:7; Hebrews 13:4
But Leah replied, “Is it not enough that you have taken away my husband? Now you want to take my son’s mandrakes as well?” “Very well,” said Rachel, “he may sleep with you tonight in exchange for your son’s mandrakes.” When Jacob came in from the field that evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come with me, for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” So he slept with her that night.
Then David sent messengers to get her, and when she came to him, he slept with her. (Now she had just purified herself from her uncleanness.) Then she returned home.
Blessings in sleep
Peace
Psalm 4:8 See also Matthew 8:24 parallels Mark 4:38, Luke 8:23; Acts 12:6
I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.
Protection
Psalm 121:3–4 See also Psalm 3:5–6, Psalm 68:13; Ezekiel 34:25
He will not allow your foot to slip; your Protector will not slumber. Behold, the Protector of Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Deep and light sleep
Deep sleep for the creation of Eve
So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep, and while he slept, He took one of the man’s ribs and closed up the area with flesh.
Deep sleep for revelation
See also Genesis 15:12; Job 4:12–13, Job 33:14–18; Daniel 7:2, Daniel 7:13; Acts 16:9
Deep sleep as a judgment
1 Samuel 26:12; Isaiah 29:10 The sleep in this instance is symbolic.
Light sleep
Sleeping at the wrong time
While on duty
Proverbs 19:15; Matthew 28:13; Mark 13:36
During harvest
Instead of praying
Jonah 1:5–6; Matthew 26:40 parallels Mark 14:37, Luke 22:45–46
During a sermon
At the transfiguration
Amidst danger
Judges 16:13–14, Judges 16:19; Proverbs 6:1–5, Proverbs 23:34; Matthew 13:25
Excessive sleep
Proverbs 6:9–11 See also Proverbs 20:13, Proverbs 23:21; Isaiah 56:10
How long will you lie there, O slacker? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, and poverty will come upon you like a robber, and need like a bandit.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.