Psalm 99:5 calls for worship at God’s footstool; if this footstool is literal, why is there no archaeological record or clear location for it?

Definition and Scriptural Context

Psalm 99:5 declares, “Exalt the LORD our God; worship at His footstool; He is holy!” This directive highlights the imagery of a “footstool,” which appears in other passages such as 1 Chronicles 28:2 and Psalm 132:7. In biblical language, a footstool is often directly connected to God’s throne (Isaiah 66:1: “Heaven is My throne, and the earth is My footstool”). The concept expresses both reverence and the nearness of God’s presence in a designated place of worship.

The Nature of “Footstool” in Scripture

In the ancient Near East, a footstool signified royal authority and sovereignty. Kings would rest their feet upon an elevated or adorned platform that symbolized their ruled realm beneath them. Several biblical references use this imagery:

• 1 Chronicles 28:2 describes David calling the ark of the covenant “the footstool of our God.”

• Psalm 132:7 invites worshipers to go to God’s dwelling place and “worship at His footstool.”

These passages often refer closely to the ark of the covenant or the temple in Jerusalem. Some interpret the “footstool” to be the Holy of Holies or the Ark itself, since the Ark represented God’s throne presence among His people (Exodus 25:22). Others emphasize that the entire temple complex was God’s special dwelling place (1 Kings 8:10–11).

Literal vs. Symbolic Perspectives

1. Literal Interpretation Connected to the Ark and Temple

Those who see “God’s footstool” in a more literal sense typically point to the Ark of the Covenant housed in the temple. It was central to Israel’s worship, recognized as the place where the Lord chose to manifest His unique presence (Exodus 25:22). Since David labels the Ark “the footstool of our God” (1 Chronicles 28:2), some conservative scholars propose that the footstool is not an independent object but a poetic way of speaking about where God’s feet might rest in His earthly sanctuary.

2. Symbolic Interpretation of the Entire Earth

Another perspective is that “the earth is My footstool” (Isaiah 66:1), indicating God’s supreme reign over all creation. In this view, the footstool is not confined to a physical location but rather serves as a vivid metaphor for God’s authority.

Why No Archaeological Record or Exact Location?

1. Possible Destruction and Displacement

The Ark of the Covenant itself, and much of the original temple furnishings, disappeared from recorded history following events such as the Babylonian conquest (586 BC). The temple in Jerusalem was destroyed and later rebuilt, only to be destroyed again by the Romans in AD 70. These repeated upheavals account for the absence of direct artifacts like a dedicated “footstool.”

2. The Holy of Holies and Its Restricted Access

The Holiest Place within the temple was not an easily accessible structure. It was veiled behind curtains, visited strictly by the high priest once each year (Hebrews 9:7). The secrecy surrounding it reduces the likelihood of leftover relics or a publicly visible “footstool” artifact.

3. Metaphorical and Theological Emphasis

Even in passages where a literal piece of furniture might be implied, the prevailing theological theme is God’s majesty. Scripture consistently shifts focus to worship and devotion rather than preserving a specific measurement or location for a footstool as a physical relic. This primary emphasis on worshipful posture before the Creator supersedes the need to document or archaeologically preserve one particular object.

Cross-References and Scholarly Notes

• Psalm 132:7 says, “Let us go to His dwelling place; let us worship at His footstool.” Here again, God’s “dwelling place” is mentioned directly alongside “footstool,” reinforcing the temple association yet refraining from describing a separate artifact.

• Lamentations 2:1 laments the Lord’s renunciation of “His footstool” when Jerusalem fell, which many interpret as referring to either the destroyed temple or the Ark’s domain.

• Historic Jewish writings outside the Bible, such as the writings of Flavius Josephus (first century AD), mention the temple’s grandeur but do not detail a specialized “footstool” object within the Holy Place.

Archaeological and Historical Considerations

Archaeological excavations in Jerusalem (particularly the Temple Mount area) have revealed remnants of walls, foundation stones, and artifacts from various periods. However, access to the deeper strata beneath the Temple Mount is restricted due to religious and political sensitivities. Even if a discrete platform or item had ever been fashioned exactly as God’s footstool, the repeated destructions of the temple (2 Kings 25 and Josephus’s War of the Jews 6.4) would have made its survival unlikely.

From a broader standpoint, no first-century or earlier Jewish historian or outside source claims to have encountered a free-standing footstool object designated as God’s. The focal point of worship was always the Ark room, and the attention was on God’s covenant, not on a separate physical item.

Spiritual and Devotional Implications

Though the notion of a literal footstool resonates with the ancient regal context, Scripture repeatedly uses it to illustrate God’s holiness, sovereignty, and nearness to His people. Psalm 99:5 calls believers to exalt God and to worship with reverence. The absence of a specific physical artifact underscores the deeper truth: the essence of worship is not dependent on locating a singular object, but on recognizing God’s throne of grace and surrendering in humility.

Conclusion

Psalm 99:5’s reference to God’s footstool does not necessitate an archaeologically verifiable piece of furniture. Scriptural references merge both literal overtones—such as the Ark of the Covenant in the temple—and symbolic emphasis to convey God’s sovereign reign. The lack of any discovered “footstool” reflects both the violent historical upheavals around Jerusalem’s sacred spaces and the consistent biblical pattern of focusing on worship and covenant with God rather than preserving a specific relic.

Worshipers, then and now, are encouraged to bow in awe before the One whom heaven cannot contain and who calls the earth His footstool. The call is to exalt Him wherever He manifests His presence, recognizing that the true “footstool of God” testifies to His holiness and rightful place as King over all.