Lexical Summary pous: foot Original Word: πούς Strong's Exhaustive Concordance foot, footstool. A primary word; a "foot" (figuratively or literally) -- foot(-stool). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition a foot NASB Translation feet (83), foot (9), under* (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4228: πούςπούς (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, ὁ (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 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. 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 poúsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 4:6 N-AMSGRK: 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 Matthew 7:6 N-DMP Matthew 10:14 N-GMP Matthew 15:30 N-AMP Matthew 18:8 N-NMS Matthew 18:8 N-AMP Matthew 22:13 N-AMP Matthew 22:44 N-GMP Matthew 28:9 N-AMP Mark 5:22 N-AMP Mark 6:11 N-GMP Mark 7:25 N-AMP Mark 9:45 N-NMS Mark 9:45 N-AMP Mark 12:36 N-GMP Luke 1:79 N-AMP Luke 4:11 N-AMS Luke 7:38 N-AMP Luke 7:38 N-AMP Luke 7:38 N-AMP Luke 7:44 N-AMP Luke 7:44 N-AMP Luke 7:45 N-AMP Luke 7:46 N-AMP Strong's Greek 4228 |
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