Footstool

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

Footstool ( ὑποπόδιον).—With the single exception of  James 2:3 the word is used figuratively in the NT, to express the idea of ‘subjection’ or ‘complete control.’ In this sense it occurs frequently in the Gospels: e.g.  Matthew 22:44,  Mark 12:36,  Luke 20:43, where the Synoptists record Christ’s quotation from Psalms 110—a psalm always regarded by the Jews as distinctly Messianic. In  Matthew 22:44 Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885, on the authority of some of the most ancient MSS [Note: SS Manuscripts.] and versions, accepts ὑποκάτω instead of ὑποπόδιον, and translates, ‘till I put thine enemies under thy feet.’ Similarly in  Mark 12:36 ὑποκάτω is read by many ancient authorities, and is adopted by WH [Note: H Westcott and Hort’s text.] . Here, however, Revised Version NT 1881, OT 1885 retains ὑποπόδιον (with marg. note); but (as also in  Luke 20:43 and  Matthew 5:35) translates more correctly ‘footstool of thy (or his) feet’ instead of Authorized Version ‘thy (or his) footstool.’

In its application to Christ the word shows Him in His Kingly office triumphing over His enemies, and bringing all men into captivity to His obedience; cf.  1 Corinthians 15:25 ‘For he must reign till he hath put all enemies under his feet.’

Dugald Clark.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Ὑποπόδιον (Strong'S #5286 — Noun Neuter — hupopodion — hoop-op-od'-ee-on )

from hupo, "under," and pous, "a foot," is used (a) literally in  James 2:3 , (b) metaphorically, of the earth as God's "footstool,"  Matthew 5:35; of the foes of the Lord,  Matthew 22:44 (in some mss.);   Mark 12:36 , "underneath" (in some mss.);  Luke 20:43;  Acts 2:35;  7:49;  Hebrews 1:13;  10:13 . The RV, adhering to the literal rendering, translates the phrase "the footstool of My (Thy, His) feet," for the AV, "My (etc.) footstool," but in  Matthew 22:44 , "(till I put Thine enemies) underneath thy feet."

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 1 Chronicles 28:2 (a) David compares the temple of GOD to a resting place for the Lord.

 Psalm 99:5 (b) This figure represents the attitude of one who comes into the presence of GOD to pray, to worship and to, commune. It is a picture of one kneeling at the foot of the king on the throne seeking some favor from him. (See  Psalm 132:7).

 Psalm 110:1 (a) By this type the Lord is informing us that He will subdue all His enemies and will put His feet on their necks in derision, in the day of judgment. (See  Matthew 22:44;  Mark 12:36;  Luke 20:43;  Acts 2:35;  Hebrews 1:13;  Hebrews 10:13).

 Isaiah 66:1 (a) This earth which seems so great to us is only as a small cushion in the sight of GOD on which His feet. (See also  Matthew 5:35;  Acts 7:49).

 Lamentations 2:1 (a) The land of Israel is thus compared. GOD cursed the land.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 2 Chronicles 9:18 James 2:3 Isaiah 66:1 Matthew 5:35 Psalm 99:5  Lamentations 2:1  Isaiah 60:13 Ezekiel 43:7 1 Chronicles 28:2

In  Psalm 110:1 God makes the messianic King triumph over His enemies, who are then made his footstool. This text is quoted six times in the New Testament. It served as the basis for Jesus' riddle about David's son who is also his lord (  Matthew 22:44;  Mark 12:36;  Luke 20:43 ). Elsewhere, the Scripture was applied to the ascension of Christ ( Acts 2:34-35 ), the exaltation of Christ ( Hebrews 1:13 ), and the future victory of Christ ( Hebrews 10:13 ).

Morrish Bible Dictionary

The usual accompaniment of a throne.  2 Chronicles 9:18 . The earth is the footstool of God's throne in the heavens.  Isaiah 66:1;  Matthew 5:35 . It is symbolical of 'the place of rest:' David had it on his heart to build a house of rest for the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and for the 'footstool' of God, wherein God could find rest among His people, and where He was to be worshipped.  1 Chronicles 28:2;  Psalm 99:5 . It is also symbolical of 'subjection to power:' the Lord Jesus must reign until all His enemies are made His footstool.  Psalm 110:1;  Matthew 22:44;  Acts 2:35;  Hebrews 1:13

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 2 Chronicles 9:18 1 Chronicles 28:2 Psalm 99:5 132:7 Psalm 110:1 Isaiah 66:1 Matthew 5:35

King James Dictionary

FOOT'STOOL, n. A stool for the feet that which supports the feet of one when sitting.

To make enemies a footstool, is to reduce them to entire subjection.  Psalms 110 .

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

FOOTSTOOL . See House, § 8 .

Webster's Dictionary

(n.) A low stool to support the feet of one when sitting.

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

foot´stool ( כּבשׂ , kebhes  ; ὑποπόδιον , hupopódion , "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.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

(spec. כֶּבֶשׁ , Ke'Besh, something trodden upon; Sept. Ὑποπόδιον v.r. Ἐνδεδυμένοι , Vulg. Scabellum,  2 Chronicles 9:18). Where sitting is referred to in Scripture, it is frequently spoken of as a posture of more than ordinary state, and means sitting on a throne, for which a footstool was necessary, both in order that the person might ascend to it, and for supporting the legs when he was placed in it ( 2 Chronicles 9:18). The divine glory which resided symbolically in the holy place, between the cherubim above the ark of the covenant, is supposed to use the ark as a foot-stool ( 1 Chronicles 28:2;  Psalms 99:5;  Psalms 132:7). So the earth is called God's foot-stool by the same expressive figure which represents heaven as his throne ( Psalms 110:1;  Isaiah 66:1;  Matthew 5:35). We find, on the paintings in the tombs of Egypt, as well as on the Assyrian monuments, frequent representations of their Akings sitting on a throne or chair of state, with a foot-stool. (See Throne). The common manner of sitting in the East is upon a mat or carpet spread upon the ground or floor, with the legs crossed. Many of the Turks, however, through European intercourse, attempt to sit upon chairs. (See Divan).