The Hebrew verb yashen (יָשֵׁן) means to sleep or be asleep, and in an extended sense to be old, worn out, or stale. Sleep in Hebrew thought is both natural rest and a metaphor for death, inattention, or spiritual lethargy.
God causes deep sleep to fall on Adam before creating Eve (Genesis 2:21). The Psalmist trusts God so completely that he lies down and sleeps (Psalm 3:5). Most powerfully, God Himself neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4). Human sleep is surrender to God's sovereign care — an act of faith. Paul urges believers to wake from spiritual sleep (Romans 13:11), for the dawn is near.