Bedpost

The flat sleeping surface of the raised bed was supported on its four corners by legs or posts. Sometimes these posts extended above the bed about the height of a person standing. A thin cloth could be spread over the top of the posts and hung down to the ground. This enclosed the bed, preventing insects from disturbing the sleeper (see Canopy, mosquito net).

Where beds with posts are not known, it is possible to translate the verses listed above without reference to the structure of the bed. So JDT 13:6 may be rendered “She went to the head of the bed and took down Holofernes’ sword from the place where it was hanging.” JDT 13:9 b may be translated “she pulled down the mosquito netting from the bed.”