Bolster

Bolster - (Easton's Bible Dictionary)

The Hebrew word kebir, rendered "pillow" in 1 Sam. 19:13, 16, but in Revised Version marg. "quilt" or "network," probably means some counterpane or veil intended to protect the head of the sleeper. A different Hebrew word (meraashoth') is used for "bolster" (1 Sam. 26:7, 11, 16). It is rightly rendered in Revised Version "at his head." In Gen. 28:11, 18 the Authorized Version renders it "for his pillows," and the Revised Version "under his head." In Ezek. 13:18, 20 another Hebrew word (kesathoth) is used, properly denoting "cushions" or "pillows," as so rendered both in the Authorized and the Revised Version.

Bolster - (Webster's 1828 Dictionary)

BOLSTER, n.

1. A long pillow or cushion,used to support the head of persons lying on a bed; generally laid under the pillows.

2. A pad, or quilt,used to hinder pressure,support any part of the body, or make a bandage sit easy upon a wounded part a compress.

3. In sadlery, a part of a saddle raised upon the bows or hinder part, to hold the rider's thigh.

4. In ships, a cushion or bag, filled with tarred canvas,used to preserve the stays from being worn or chafed by the masts.

BOLSTER, v.t. To support with a bolster, pillow or any soft pad or quilt.

1. To support; to hold up; to maintain.

2. To afford a bed to.

bol'-ster: Found in the King James Version only in 1Sa 19:13,16, "Behold, the teraphim was in the bed, with the pillow of goat's hair at the head thereof" (the King James Version "for his bolster"), and 1Sa 26:7,11,12,16, "Saul lay sleeping .... with his spear stuck in the ground at his head." "Bolster" in these passages in the King James Version was used to translate a Hebrew word whose true significance is "the place of the head," or "the head-place." It will be noted that it has disappeared from the Revised Version (British and American), which rightly has throughout "head," instead of "bolster."

See CUSHION.