4228. pous
Lexical Summary
pous: foot

Original Word: πούς
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: pous
Pronunciation: poos
Phonetic Spelling: (pooce)
KJV: foot(-stool)
NASB: feet, foot
Word Origin: [a primary word]

1. a foot
{figuratively or literally}

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
foot, footstool.

A primary word; a "foot" (figuratively or literally) -- foot(-stool).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
a foot
NASB Translation
feet (83), foot (9), under* (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 4228: πούς

πούς (not πούς, see Lob. ad Phryn., p. 765; Göttling, Accentl., p. 244; (Chandler, Greek Accentuation, § 566); Winers Grammar, § 6, 1 d.; Lipsius, Gram. Untersuch., p. 48), ποδός, (allied with πέδον, πέζα, Latinpes, etc.; Curtius, § 291; Vanicek, p. 473), dative plural ποσίν, from Homer down, Hebrew רֶגֶל; a foot, both of men and of beasts: Matthew 4:6; Matthew 7:6; Matthew 22:13; Mark 9:45; Luke 1:79; John 11:44; Acts 7:5; 1 Corinthians 12:15; Revelation 10:2, and often. From the oriental practice of placing the foot upon the vanquished (Joshua 10:24), come the follow expressions: ὑπό τούς πόδας συντρίβειν ((which see) τινα, Romans 16:20; ὑποτάσσειν τινα, 1 Corinthians 15:27; Ephesians 1:22; Hebrews 2:8; τιθέναι, 1 Corinthians 15:25; τιθέναι τινα ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν, Matthew 22:44 L T Tr WH; ὑποπόδιον τῶν ποδῶν, Matthew 22:44 R G; Mark 12:36 (here WH ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν); Luke 20:43; Acts 2:35; Hebrews 1:13; Hebrews 10:13; disciples listening to their teacher's instruction are said παρά (or πρός) τούς πόδας τίνος καθῆσθαι or παρακαθισαι, Luke 10:39; Acts 22:3, cf. Luke 8:35; to lay a thing παρά (or πρός) τούς πόδας τίνος is used of those who consign it to his power and care, Matthew 15:30; Acts 4:35, 37; Acts 5:2; Acts 7:58. In saluting, paying homage, supplicating, etc., persons are said πρός τούς πόδας τίνος πίπτειν or προσπίπτειν: Mark 5:22; Mark 7:25; Luke 8:41; Luke 17:16 παρά); Revelation 1:17; εἰς τούς πόδας τίνος, Matthew 18:29 (Rec.); John 11:32 (here T Tr WH πρός); πίπτειν ἔμπροσθεν τῶν ποδῶν τίνος, Revelation 19:10; προσκυνεῖν ἔμπροσθεν (or ἐνώπιον) τῶν ποδῶν τίνος, Revelation 3:9; Revelation 22:8; πεσών ἐπί τούς πόδας, Acts 10:25. By a poetic usage that member of the body which is the chief organ or instrument in any given action is put for the man himself (see γλῶσσα, 1); thus οἱ πόδες τίνος is used for the man in motion: Luke 1:79 (Psalm 118:101 (); Acts 5:9; Romans 3:15; Romans 10:15; Hebrews 12:13.

Topical Lexicon
Physical Presence and Everyday Life

“Feet” appear constantly in narrative passages where the inspired writers describe ordinary movement, posture, and orientation. Jesus “set His right foot on the sea and His left foot on the land” (Revelation 10:2), Peter and John walked to the temple courts, and Paul stood on the steps addressing the crowd (Acts 21:11; Acts 22:3). The term therefore anchors events in concrete history, reminding readers that the gospel account takes place in real space and time.

Gesture of Humility and Worship

Drawing near to Jesus’ feet signals repentance, reverence, and love. The sinful woman “stood behind Him at His feet weeping, and began to wash His feet with her tears” (Luke 7:38). Mary “was seated at the Lord’s feet listening to His word” (Luke 10:39). The Samaritan leper “fell facedown at Jesus’ feet in thanksgiving” (Luke 17:16). Such accounts encourage believers to adopt a posture of humble adoration before the Lord who welcomes contrite hearts.

Symbol of Authority and Subjection

To place something under another’s feet signifies complete dominion. Psalm 110:1, echoed in Matthew 22:44; Acts 2:35; 1 Corinthians 15:25–27; Ephesians 1:22 and Hebrews 1:13, declares that the Father will make Christ’s enemies “a footstool for Your feet.” Believers draw confidence from the promise that the risen Christ reigns until every opposing power is subdued. Romans 16:20 applies this truth pastorally: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.”

Service Expressed in Footwashing

John 13:1-17 records the Lord girding Himself with a towel and washing the disciples’ feet. By cleansing the very members that carry grime, Jesus provides an enacted parable of continual sanctification and models servant leadership: “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet” (John 13:14). Early believers adopted literal footwashing (1 Timothy 5:10) while the abiding mandate calls every generation to sacrificial, hands-on ministry.

Healing Mercy Reached to the Feet

Physical restoration often targets disabled feet, underscoring Christ’s power to reverse the curse. The lame man in Lystra “leaped up and began to walk” (Acts 14:10). The man healed at the Beautiful Gate clung to Peter and John, “walking and leaping and praising God” (Acts 3:8, implied by Acts 5:9–11). These miracles anticipate the eschatological promise that the lame will “leap like a deer” (Isaiah 35:6) and invite the church to proclaim both spiritual and bodily redemption.

Readiness to Proclaim the Gospel

Paul cites Isaiah 52:7 when he writes, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace” (Romans 10:15). The image moves from physical feet to the missional lifestyle of believers shod “with the readiness of the gospel of peace” (Ephesians 6:15). Evangelistic zeal is portrayed not only as mouth and voice but as swift, purposeful movement toward the unreached.

Purity, Separation, and Judgment

Shaking dust from one’s feet symbolizes dissociation from unbelief (Matthew 10:14; Acts 13:51). Conversely, trampling holy truths underfoot pictures contempt (Matthew 7:6; Hebrews 10:29, implied). At the final judgment, the Son of Man’s “feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace” (Revelation 1:15), a vision combining purity, strength, and the impending treading of wrath (Revelation 19:15).

Eschatological Imagery and Worship in Revelation

Revelation frequently highlights feet in scenes of glory. The twenty-four elders fall before the enthroned Lord (Revelation 4:10). John collapses “at his feet to worship him” when confronted by an angel (Revelation 19:10; 22:8) yet is corrected, emphasizing worship due to God alone. The woman clothed with the sun has “the moon under her feet” (Revelation 12:1), and the victorious saints stand upon a glassy sea (Revelation 15:2), attesting to ultimate triumph and secure footing in God’s presence.

Old Testament Foundations

The theme is deeply rooted in earlier revelation: Moses removed sandals on holy ground (Acts 7:33 recalling Exodus 3), Joshua encountered the Commander of the Lord’s army in like manner (Joshua 5:15). Isaiah, Ezekiel, and the Psalms repeatedly employ foot imagery for victory, worship, and pilgrimage, providing the conceptual backdrop for New Testament writers.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Hospitality: Providing clean water or literal footwashing to travelers echoes ancient kindness (Genesis 18:4) and informs present-day service.
2. Leadership: Pastors and parents imitate Christ by stooping to menial tasks, thereby earning moral authority.
3. Evangelism: Believers cultivate “beautiful feet” by active obedience to the Great Commission.
4. Spiritual Warfare: Standing firm (Ephesians 6) and resisting the devil until he is crushed under our feet (Romans 16) fuels perseverance.

Christological Center

Jesus Christ is both the One before whom all creation bows and the Servant who washes dusty feet. His humiliation and exaltation knit together the gospel narrative: the same feet pierced on the cross now rest on the universe as a footstool. Union with Him grants believers secure footing now and everlasting participation in His victory.

Summary

Strong’s 4228 illuminates a rich tapestry of biblical theology. Whether depicting literal locomotion, humble devotion, divine authority, or eschatological triumph, references to feet urge readers to walk worthy of their calling, serve one another in love, proclaim salvation to the nations, and await the day when every knee bows and every enemy lies beneath the feet of the reigning Christ.

Forms and Transliterations
ποδα πόδα ποδας πόδας ποδες πόδες ποδί ποδος ποδός ποδων ποδών ποδῶν ποσί ποσιν ποσίν ποσὶν πους πούς poda póda podas pódas podes pódes podon podôn podōn podō̂n podos podós posin posín posìn pous poús
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 4:6 N-AMS
GRK: λίθον τὸν πόδα σου
NAS: THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST
KJV: thou dash thy foot against a stone.
INT: a stone the foot of you

Matthew 5:35 N-GMP
GRK: ἐστιν τῶν ποδῶν αὐτοῦ μήτε
NAS: for it is the footstool of His feet, or
KJV: it is his footstool: neither by
INT: it is [for] the feet of him nor

Matthew 7:6 N-DMP
GRK: ἐν τοῖς ποσὶν αὐτῶν καὶ
NAS: they will trample them under their feet, and turn
KJV: under their feet, and turn again
INT: with the feet of them and

Matthew 10:14 N-GMP
GRK: κονιορτὸν τῶν ποδῶν ὑμῶν
NAS: the dust off your feet.
KJV: the dust of your feet.
INT: dust of the feet of you

Matthew 15:30 N-AMP
GRK: παρὰ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ καὶ
NAS: and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed
KJV: at Jesus' feet; and he healed
INT: at the feet of him and

Matthew 18:8 N-NMS
GRK: ἢ ὁ πούς σου σκανδαλίζει
NAS: or your foot causes you to stumble,
KJV: or thy foot offend thee, cut
INT: or the foot of you cause to sin

Matthew 18:8 N-AMP
GRK: ἢ δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι
NAS: two feet and be cast
KJV: or two feet to be cast into
INT: or two feet having to be cast

Matthew 22:13 N-AMP
GRK: Δήσαντες αὐτοῦ πόδας καὶ χεῖρας
NAS: him hand and foot, and throw
KJV: hand and foot, and take him
INT: Having bound him feet and hands

Matthew 22:44 N-GMP
GRK: ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν σου
NAS: YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET'?
INT: [as] a footstool for the feet of you

Matthew 28:9 N-AMP
GRK: αὐτοῦ τοὺς πόδας καὶ προσεκύνησαν
NAS: up and took hold of His feet and worshiped
KJV: him by the feet, and
INT: his feet and worshipped

Mark 5:22 N-AMP
GRK: πρὸς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ
NAS: Him, fell at His feet
KJV: at his feet,
INT: at the feet of him

Mark 6:11 N-GMP
GRK: ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν ὑμῶν εἰς
NAS: the soles of your feet for a testimony
KJV: under your feet for a testimony
INT: under the feet of you for

Mark 7:25 N-AMP
GRK: πρὸς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ
NAS: came and fell at His feet.
KJV: at his feet:
INT: at the feet of him

Mark 9:45 N-NMS
GRK: ἐὰν ὁ πούς σου σκανδαλίζῃ
NAS: If your foot causes you to stumble,
KJV: if thy foot offend thee,
INT: if the foot of you should cause to stumble

Mark 9:45 N-AMP
GRK: τοὺς δύο πόδας ἔχοντα βληθῆναι
NAS: your two feet, to be cast
KJV: having two feet to be cast into
INT: the two feet having to be cast

Mark 12:36 N-GMP
GRK: ὑποκάτω τῶν ποδῶν σου
NAS: YOUR ENEMIES BENEATH YOUR FEET.'
INT: [as] a footstool of the feet of you

Luke 1:79 N-AMP
GRK: κατευθῦναι τοὺς πόδας ἡμῶν εἰς
NAS: To guide our feet into the way
KJV: to guide our feet into the way
INT: to direct the feet of us into

Luke 4:11 N-AMS
GRK: λίθον τὸν πόδα σου
NAS: THAT YOU WILL NOT STRIKE YOUR FOOT AGAINST
KJV: thou dash thy foot against a stone.
INT: a stone the foot of you

Luke 7:38 N-AMP
GRK: παρὰ τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ κλαίουσα
NAS: behind [Him] at His feet, weeping,
KJV: at his feet behind [him] weeping,
INT: at the feet of him weeping

Luke 7:38 N-AMP
GRK: βρέχειν τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ καὶ
NAS: to wet His feet with her tears,
KJV: to wash his feet with tears, and
INT: to wet with the feet of him and

Luke 7:38 N-AMP
GRK: κατεφίλει τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ καὶ
NAS: and kissing His feet and anointing
KJV: kissed his feet, and anointed
INT: was kissing the feet of him and

Luke 7:44 N-AMP
GRK: μοι ἐπὶ πόδας οὐκ ἔδωκας
NAS: water for My feet, but she has wet
KJV: for my feet: but she
INT: of me for feet not you gave

Luke 7:44 N-AMP
GRK: μου τοὺς πόδας καὶ ταῖς
NAS: but she has wet My feet with her tears
KJV: hath washed my feet with tears, and
INT: my feet and with

Luke 7:45 N-AMP
GRK: μου τοὺς πόδας
NAS: in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.
KJV: to kiss my feet.
INT: my feet

Luke 7:46 N-AMP
GRK: ἤλειψεν τοὺς πόδας μου
NAS: but she anointed My feet with perfume.
KJV: hath anointed my feet with ointment.
INT: anointed the feet of me

Strong's Greek 4228
93 Occurrences


πόδα — 3 Occ.
πόδας — 55 Occ.
πόδες — 7 Occ.
ποδῶν — 19 Occ.
ποδός — 1 Occ.
ποσὶν — 5 Occ.
πούς — 3 Occ.

4227
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