The part of the body associated with moving and with foundation, direction and chosen path. Feet may symbolise the response to God's direction. The feet of God and of Jesus Christ are mentioned symbolically to describe some divine characteristics.
Feet as part of the physical body
Human feet
Exodus 30:19–21; Leviticus 8:23; Deuteronomy 8:4; Joshua 14:9; 2 Samuel 4:4; 1 Kings 15:23; Song of Solomon 7:1; Ezekiel 6:11, Ezekiel 25:6; Luke 7:44; Acts 3:7
The feet of creatures and objects of worship
Genesis 8:9; Exodus 37:3; Ezekiel 1:7; Daniel 2:33
A whole person may be represented by the foot
Job 28:4; Psalm 36:11; Proverbs 6:18; Isaiah 59:7
Symbolic references to human feet
In relation to guidance, direction and following
Psalm 17:5 See also Psalm 37:31, Psalm 44:18, Psalm 56:13, Psalm 119:101, Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 3:6, Proverbs 4:26–27; Luke 1:79
My steps have held to Your paths; my feet have not slipped.
In relation to disobedience and waywardness
Psalm 1:1 See also 2 Kings 21:22; Job 31:5; Proverbs 1:15–16, Proverbs 4:14, Proverbs 6:18; Isaiah 59:7; Matthew 18:8 parallel Mark 9:45
Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.
In relation to a secure standing with God
Psalm 40:2 See also 1 Samuel 2:9; 2 Samuel 22:34 parallel Psalm 18:33; Psalm 31:8, Psalm 66:9; Proverbs 4:26; Habakkuk 3:19; 1 Corinthians 15:58; Ephesians 6:13
He lifted me up from the pit of despair, out of the miry clay; He set my feet upon a rock, and made my footsteps firm.
In relation to bringing the gospel
Isaiah 52:7 See also Nahum 1:15; Romans 10:15; Ephesians 6:15
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
In relation to expressing attitudes and emotions
Joshua 10:24 defeat and humiliation; Ruth 3:4–8 requesting marriage and redemption; 1 Samuel 25:24 supplication and homage; 1 Samuel 25:41; Luke 7:44; John 13:5; 2 Samuel 22:39–40 parallel Psalm 18:38–39; Ezekiel 24:17 mourning; Matthew 10:14 parallels Mark 6:11, Luke 9:5 scorn and a warning to those who reject God's message; Acts 4:35, Acts 10:25; Hebrews 10:29 rejection
``Jesus' feet'' symbolises the source and place of God's grace
Worshippers come to Jesus Christ's feet
Luke 8:35 See also Matthew 28:9
So the people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man whom the demons had left, sitting at Jesus’ feet, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid.
The sinful come to Jesus Christ's feet
Luke 7:37–38 See also John 12:3
When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume.
The suffering come to Jesus Christ's feet
Matthew 15:30 See also Mark 5:22–23 parallels Matthew 9:18, Luke 8:41; Mark 7:25 parallel Matthew 15:25; John 11:32
Large crowds came to Him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute, and many others, and laid them at His feet, and He healed them.
People sit at Jesus Christ's feet to learn
Luke 10:39 It was common practice for disciples to gather around their teacher in this way. See also John 8:2
She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to His message.
Ultimately all will come to Jesus Christ's feet in worship
Romans 14:11; Isaiah 45:23; Philippians 2:10
``Feet of God'' symbolises his majestic presence
Zechariah 14:4 See also Exodus 24:10; Isaiah 66:1; Nahum 1:3; Matthew 5:35; Acts 7:49; Revelation 10:2
On that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half the mountain moving to the north and half to the south.
God's feet are referred to in relation to worship
Psalm 99:5, Psalm 110:1, Psalm 132:7; Revelation 1:17
``Beneath/under the feet'' to denote the defeat and subservience of enemies
Joshua 10:24; 2 Samuel 22:39; 1 Kings 5:3; Psalm 8:6, Psalm 45:5, Psalm 47:3; Isaiah 49:23; Lamentations 3:34; Malachi 4:3; Matthew 22:42–45; Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:34–36; Romans 16:20; 1 Corinthians 15:25–28; Ephesians 1:22–23; Hebrews 10:13; Revelation 3:9
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.