Definition and Usage:
The term "sleepest" is an archaic form of the verb "sleep," found in older English translations of the Bible. It is the second person singular present tense form, used when addressing someone directly. In the context of the Bible, sleep is often used both literally and metaphorically, symbolizing physical rest, spiritual lethargy, or death.

Biblical References:

1. Literal Sleep:
Sleep is a natural and necessary part of human life, as seen in various passages. In the context of rest, sleep is portrayed as a gift from God, providing rejuvenation and peace. For example, Psalm 4:8 states, "I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." This verse highlights the trust and security found in God's protection, allowing for restful sleep.

2. Spiritual Lethargy:
The Bible also uses sleep metaphorically to describe spiritual slumber or inattentiveness. In Romans 13:11 , Paul exhorts believers, "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." Here, "slumber" refers to a state of spiritual complacency, urging Christians to be vigilant and active in their faith.

3. Death:
Sleep is sometimes used as a euphemism for death, emphasizing the temporary nature of death for believers. In John 11:11 , Jesus refers to Lazarus's death by saying, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up." This metaphor underscores the Christian hope in the resurrection, where death is not the end but a transition to eternal life.

Theological Implications:

· Rest and Trust in God:
Sleep, as a form of rest, is a reminder of human limitations and the need to trust in God's sovereignty. It reflects the biblical principle that while humans rest, God continues to work, as seen in Psalm 121:4 , "Indeed, the Protector of Israel does not slumber or sleep."

· Call to Spiritual Vigilance:
The metaphorical use of sleep as spiritual lethargy serves as a warning to believers to remain alert and engaged in their faith. This theme is echoed in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 , "So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober."

· Hope in Resurrection:
The depiction of death as sleep offers comfort and hope, affirming the belief in life after death. This is central to Christian eschatology, where the resurrection of the dead is a foundational doctrine, as articulated in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 , "Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet."

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to view sleep as a time of rest and renewal, trusting in God's care and provision. Spiritually, they are called to remain vigilant, avoiding complacency in their walk with Christ. The metaphor of sleep as death serves as a reminder of the hope and assurance found in the promise of resurrection and eternal life with God.

Awake, Thou that Sleepest
... First Series Sermon 3 Awake, Thou That Sleepest. "Awake, thou that sleepest, and
arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." Eph.5:14. ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 3 awake thou that.htm

Third Sunday in Lent. Awake, Thou that Sleepest, and Arise from ...
... Third Sunday in Lent. Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead,
and Christ shall give thee light.". Awake, thou that ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/third sunday in lent awake.htm

The Sleeping Apostle
... THE SLEEPING APOSTLE. 'Simon, sleepest thou!'"Mark 14:37 It is a very old Christian
tradition that this Gospel is in some sense the Apostle Peter's. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the sleeping apostle.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke vii. 2, Etc. ; on the Three Dead ...
... For if the Lord had not come to raise the dead, the Apostle would not have said,
"Rise, thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xlviii on the words.htm

Sleepers at Noonday
... EPHESIANS SLEEPERS AT NOONDAY. 'Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and
arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light,'"Ephesians 5:14. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/sleepers at noonday.htm

Augustine 354-430 -- the Recovery of Sight by the Blind
... of the same house lying dead; so in a sound body do many carry a dead soul within;
and these the apostle arouses thus, "Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/augustine 354-430 the recovery.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xx. 30, About the Two Blind Men ...
... of the same house lying dead; so in a sound body do many carry a dead soul within;
and these the Apostle arouses thus, "Awake, thou that sleepest, and arise ...
/.../sermon xxxviii on the words.htm

Ephesians v. 5, 6
... them. Ver.14. "Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise
from the dead, and Christ shall shine upon thee.". By the ...
/.../homily xviii ephesians v 5.htm

An Appeal to Children of Godly Parents
... neck. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall
keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/an appeal to children of.htm

Psalm XLIV.
... [1357]. 18. "Awake; why sleepest Thou, O Lord?" (ver.23). ... "Arise Thou" then to
them also! "Why sleepest Thou," though not to us, yet to them? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xliv.htm

Sleepest (5 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Sleepest (5 Occurrences). Mark 14:37 And he cometh, and
findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? ...
/s/sleepest.htm - 7k

Sleeper (3 Occurrences)

/s/sleeper.htm - 8k

Sleepeth (13 Occurrences)

/s/sleepeth.htm - 9k

Liest (13 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 6:22 When thou walkest, it shall lead thee; When thou sleepest, it shall
watch over thee; And when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. (See JPS). ...
/l/liest.htm - 10k

Walkest (11 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 6:22 When thou walkest, it shall lead thee; When thou sleepest, it shall
watch over thee; And when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. ...
/w/walkest.htm - 10k

Findeth (66 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Mark 14:37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter,
Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? (KJV ASV WBS YLT). ...
/f/findeth.htm - 26k

Rouse (25 Occurrences)
... Lord. (See JPS). Psalms 44:23 Awake, why sleepest Thou, O Lord? Arouse
Thyself, cast not off for ever. (Root in JPS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/r/rouse.htm - 14k

Couldest (5 Occurrences)
... Couldest (5 Occurrences). Mark 14:37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and
saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? ...
/c/couldest.htm - 7k

Couldst (7 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Mark 14:37 And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith to Peter,
Simon, sleepest thou? couldst not thou watch one hour? (WBS). ...
/c/couldst.htm - 8k

Awakest (2 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Proverbs 6:22 When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest,
it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee. ...
/a/awakest.htm - 6k

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