Canopy, mosquito net

The mosquito net was a fine fabric, thin enough to allow air to pass through, but heavy enough to prevent insects from going through its mesh. It was usually suspended from posts that projected above the bed on its four corners (see Bedpost).

For the Greek word kōnōpion, some older English translations have “canopy” (RSV, KJV). This, however, can be misleading. The purpose of this covering was not decoration but rather to keep the insects, especially the mosquitoes, away. Many languages will have a special word for such a net, perhaps even, like the Greek, one based on the word for “mosquito” (though this is not a necessary part of the meaning).