In biblical literature, the term "footstool" is used both literally and metaphorically, often symbolizing subjugation, humility, and divine authority. The concept of a footstool appears in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, reflecting its cultural and theological significance.

Old Testament Usage

The Hebrew word for footstool is "hadom," and it is frequently associated with the presence and majesty of God. In 1 Chronicles 28:2, King David refers to the Ark of the Covenant as God's footstool: "Then King David rose to his feet and said, 'Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I had it in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD, for the footstool of our God, and I made preparations to build it.'" Here, the footstool signifies the earthly dwelling place of God's presence, emphasizing His sovereignty and the reverence due to Him.

Psalm 99:5 and Psalm 132:7 also highlight the footstool in the context of worship: "Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His footstool; He is holy!" (Psalm 99:5). These passages call the faithful to recognize God's holiness and to approach Him with humility and adoration.

New Testament Usage

In the New Testament, the concept of the footstool is further developed, particularly in relation to the authority of Christ. Hebrews 1:13 quotes Psalm 110:1, applying it to Jesus: "To which of the angels did God ever say: 'Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet'?" . This verse underscores the supremacy of Christ over all creation and His ultimate victory over His enemies.

Similarly, in Acts 2:34-35, Peter cites the same Psalm to affirm Jesus' exaltation: "For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says: 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet."'"

Theological Implications

The imagery of the footstool conveys several theological truths. It represents God's dominion over the earth and His enemies, as seen in Isaiah 66:1: "This is what the LORD says: 'Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool. Where then is the house you will build for Me? Where is the place of My rest?'" . This passage emphasizes God's transcendence and the futility of human attempts to contain His glory within physical structures.

Moreover, the footstool serves as a reminder of the believer's posture before God. It calls for humility, submission, and worship, recognizing that all creation is under His feet. The footstool, therefore, becomes a symbol of the believer's relationship with God, marked by reverence and awe.

In summary, the biblical concept of the footstool is rich with meaning, illustrating God's authority, the exaltation of Christ, and the appropriate response of worship and humility from His people.Connected with a throne (2 Chronicles 9:18). Jehovah symbolically dwelt in the holy place between the cherubim above the ark of the covenant. The ark was his footstool (1 Chronicles 28:2; Psalm 99:5; 132:7). And as heaven is God's throne, so the earth is his footstool (Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 66:1; Matthew 5:35). (n.) A low stool to support the feet of one when sitting.FOOTSTOOL

foot'-stool (kebhes; hupopodion, "trodden on"): The 15 Scripture references to this term may be classified as literal or figurative. Of the former are the two passages: 2 Chronicles 9:18 and James 2:3. In these the footstool was a sort of step or support for the feet placed before the throne or any pretentious seat.

Of figurative uses, there are the following groups:

(1) Of the earth: Isaiah 66:1 Matthew 5:35 Acts 7:49.

(2) Of the ark: 1 Chronicles 28:2.

(3) Of the Temple: Psalm 99:5; Psalm 132:7 Lamentations 2:1; compare Isaiah 60:13.

(4) Of heathen enemies subdued by the Messianic King: Psalm 110:1 Matthew 22:44 the King James Version; Mark 12:36 Luke 20:43 Acts 2:35 Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 10:13.

Thus the uses of this term are mainly metaphorical and symbolic of subjection, either to God as universal Lord or to God's Son as King by redemptive right. Compare 1 Corinthians 15:25-27, in which all things, including death, are represented as subject to Christ and placed beneath His feet.

Leonard W. Doolan

5286. hupopodion -- a footstool
... a footstool. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: hupopodion Phonetic Spelling:
(hoop-op-od'-ee-on) Short Definition: a footstool Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5286.htm - 7k

4228. pous -- a foot
... word Definition a foot NASB Word Usage feet (83), foot (9), under* (1). foot, footstool.
A primary word; a "foot" (figuratively or literally) -- foot(-stool). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4228.htm - 6k

3534. kebesh -- footstool
... 3533, 3534. kebesh. 3535 . footstool. Transliteration: kebesh Phonetic
Spelling: (keh'-besh) Short Definition: footstool. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/3534.htm - 6k

1916. hadom -- a stool, footstool
... 1915, 1916. hadom. 1917 . a stool, footstool. Transliteration: hadom
Phonetic Spelling: (had-ome') Short Definition: footstool. ...
/hebrew/1916.htm - 5k

7272. regel -- foot
... accompany* (1), after (1), attended* (1), feet (139), follow (2), followed (2),
following (1), foot (60), footstep* (1), footsteps (1), footstool* (6), four ...
/hebrew/7272.htm - 6k

The Objection Has Been Made, that the Words of St. ...
... be laid down as regards the Spirit. Why are we commanded to fall down before
His footstool? Because by this is signified the Lord's ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xi the objection has.htm

The Waiting Christ.
... is seen in the beginning of that Psalm seated at the right hand of God; this heavenly
place will be occupied by Him till His enemies are made His footstool. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gaebelein/the lord of glory/the waiting christ.htm

Psalm CX.
... 2. "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, until I make Thine enemies
Thy footstool" (ver.1). We ought, therefore, thoroughly to consider this ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cx.htm

Chapter xvii.
... Lord thine oath: [155] But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven,
for it is God's throne; nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; neither by ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xvii.htm

On the Trinity. Book i. When I was Seeking an Employment Adequate ...
... God, Who says, Who holdeth the heaven in His palm and the earth in His hand [509] ,
and again, The heaven is My throne and the earth is the footstool of My feet ...
/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/on the trinity book i.htm

Answer to the Cavils of the Gnostics we are not to Suppose that ...
... We are not to suppose that the true God can be changed, or come to an end because
the heavens, which are His throne and the earth, His footstool, shall pass ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter iii answer to the cavils.htm

To Sit at the Right Hand of the Father is a Mystery Belonging to ...
... God the Father;" of Whom also David thus speaks, "The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit
Thou on my right hand until I make Thine enemies Thy footstool." Referring to ...
/.../32 to sit at the.htm

Of the First Covenant.
... I say, is manifested in it, and chiefly the glory of his goodness and love, that
the Most High comes down so low as to article with his own footstool, that he ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xxii of the first.htm

On the World.
... saith the Lord;" [2071] and again, "The heaven is My throne, and the earth is My
footstool;" [2072] and by the Saviour's words, when He says that we are to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen de principiis/chapter i on the world.htm

Psalm XCIX.
... For of Christ it is said, "who justifieth the ungodly." [4520] ..."And fall down
before [4521] His footstool: for He is holy." What are we to fall down before? ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xcix.htm

Footstool (16 Occurrences)
... The ark was his footstool (1 Chronicles 28:2; Psalm 99:5; 132:7). And as heaven
is God's throne, so the earth is his footstool (Psalm 110:1; Isaiah 66:1 ...
/f/footstool.htm - 14k

Enemies (317 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:44 'The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, until I make your
enemies a footstool for your feet?' (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/e/enemies.htm - 40k

Stool (6 Occurrences)
... 7. (n.) A bishop's seat or see; a bishop-stool. 8. (n.) A bench or form for resting
the feet or the knees; a footstool; as, a kneeling stool. ...
/s/stool.htm - 9k

Foes (95 Occurrences)
... Mark 12:36 David himself said, taught by the Holy Spirit, "'The Lord said to my
Lord, Sit at My right hand, until I have made thy foes a footstool under thy ...
/f/foes.htm - 30k

Sit (216 Occurrences)
... Matthew 22:44 'The Lord said to my Lord, sit on my right hand, until I make your
enemies a footstool for your feet?' (WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/s/sit.htm - 39k

Till (774 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Matthew 22:44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till
I make thine enemies thy footstool? (KJV ASV BBE WBS YLT RSV). ...
/t/till.htm - 36k

Footsteps (30 Occurrences)

/f/footsteps.htm - 14k

Neck (97 Occurrences)
... in Romans 16:20 and Psalm 110:1. Paul praises the devotion of Aquila and Priscilla,
"who for my life laid down their own necks" (Romans 16:4). See FOOTSTOOL. ...
/n/neck.htm - 45k

Onward (25 Occurrences)
... Appearing. (WEY). Hebrews 10:13 waiting from that time onward until His
enemies be put as a footstool under His feet. (WEY NAS). 2 ...
/o/onward.htm - 13k

Gay (2 Occurrences)
... that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place;
and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: (KJV WBS ...
/g/gay.htm - 7k

What is the significance of a footstool in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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Footstool: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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