προσκεφᾰλ-αιον G4344
cushion, pillow, something to rest the head on
A term for any cushion or pillow, particularly for resting the head. Classical usage included pillows for sleep and cushions for reclining. Mark 4:38 describes Jesus asleep in the boat during the storm, his head resting on the cushion (probably the wooden seat or leather cushion used by the helmsman). The detail emphasizes both Jesus' genuine humanity (exhausted enough to sleep through a storm) and his supernatural peace (resting securely while disciples panic). The cushion is the place where incarnate divinity rests in human vulnerability.
Senses
1. sense 1 — The translations uniformly give 'cushion' or 'pillow' ('cushion,' 'cabezal,' 'oreiller,' 'Kopfkissen'). Mark's vivid detail serves multiple purposes: it confirms Jesus was genuinely asleep (head on pillow, not just dozing), it highlights the contrast between his rest and the disciples' terror, and it prepares for the dramatic awakening when they rouse him. The cushion becomes the symbol of trust—while creation rages, the Creator rests. 1×
AR["وِسادَةِ"]·ben["বালিশে"]·DE["Kopfkissen"]·EN["cushion"]·FR["oreiller"]·heb["כַּר"]·HI["के"]·ID["bantal"]·IT["proskephalaion"]·jav["bantal"]·KO["베개를"]·PT["travesseiro"]·RU["изголовье"]·ES["cabezal"]·SW["mto"]·TR["yastığın"]·urd["تکیے"]
Related Senses
H0935 1. come, arrive (Qal) (2413×)G1473 1. first person singular pronoun (2084×)H3318 1. Qal: go out, depart, come forth (891×)H7725 1. to return, come/go back (Qal) (874×)H5927 1. go up, ascend (Qal) (779×)H7971 1. to send, dispatch (Qal) (701×)G2064 1. come / arrive (physical movement toward) (588×)H5307 1. Qal: fall down physically (339×)H5375 1. Qal: to lift up, raise (330×)H5975 1. to stand, stand up (310×)H5674a 1. Qal: pass by, pass through (256×)H3381 1. Qal: to go down, descend (physical movement) (242×)G1831 1. go/come out physically (193×)H5337 1. deliver, rescue, save (Hifil) (188×)H7901 1. lie down, rest, sleep (183×)G1525 1. enter a place physically (179×)H7812 1. prostrate oneself, bow down, worship (173×)H3318 2. Hifil: bring out, lead out, take out (persons) (172×)H7725 2. to bring back, restore (Hifil) (151×)H5674a 2. Qal: cross over (134×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
προσκεφᾰλ-αιον, τό, cushion for the head, pillow, Refs 5th c.BC+: generally, any cushion, NT+5th c.BC+: Doric dialect ποτικεφάλαιον Refs 1st c.BC+; also ποικεφ-, Refs; προσκεφᾰλ-ίς, ίδος, ἡ,, Refs __II name for a treasure-chamber of the Persian kings, Refs 4th c.BC+