Footstool

A small piece of furniture used to rest one’s feet.

King seated with his feet on a footstool (Lachish relief)
King seated with his feet on a footstool (Lachish relief) (© Zunkir, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons) Footstool

About Footstool

A low stool used to support one’s feet.

Part of King Solomon’s large amount of gold was used to make a footstool for his ivory throne (2 Chronicles 9:18). The word is often used as a symbol. Both the ark of the covenant and the temple are referred to as "God’s footstool" (1 Chronicles 28:2; Psalms 99:5; 132:7; Lamentations 2:1; compare Isaiah 60:13). These were special places where God's presence lived and where he showed his power as king. Just as a king might rest his feet on a footstool while sitting on his throne, these holy places were seen as places where God's glory was present.

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The object itself Article

Form, use in ancient daily life, and how translators render the term.

Key References

1 Chronicles 28:2

Then King David rose to his feet and said, “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. It was in my heart to build a house as a resting place for the ark of the covenant of the LORD and as a footstool for our God. I had made preparations to build it,

Isaiah 66:1

This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be?

Matthew 5:35

or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

All Scripture References (7)

Matthew (1)
Matthew 5:35

or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

Luke (1)
Luke 20:43

until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’

Acts (2)
Acts 2:35

until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”’

Acts 7:49

‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be?

Hebrews (2)
Hebrews 1:13

Yet to which of the angels did God ever say: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”?

Hebrews 10:13

Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet,

James (1)
James 2:3

If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,”