Bed. Among the ancient Egyptians, the bed was a kind of low sofa or divan, ornamented with ivory, and of such a length as to answer for a sofa by day and a bed by night. Psalms 41:3, Psalms 132:3, Amos 6:4, 2 Kings 1:4, 2 Kings 1:6, 2 Kings 1:16, Proverbs 7:16. The poorer people slept upon thick, coarse mattresses, or skins, which were thrown down at night upon the divan, or upon the floor. Sometimes they had but a simple cloak, or a blanket, which also answered to wrap themselves in by day. Exodus 1:22-27, Deuteronomy 1:24-13. Hence it was easy for the persons whom Jesus healed "to take up their beds and walk." Matthew 9:6, Mark 2:9, John 5:8. In the East, most people only take off the outer garment, and often use it for a covering on retiring to bed.