Topical Bible: The Feet: Parts of, Mentioned in Scripture: Heel

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The heel, as a part of the human foot, holds significant symbolic and literal importance in the biblical narrative. In Scripture, the heel is often associated with themes of vulnerability, conflict, and prophecy. The Hebrew word for heel is "עָקֵב" (aqeb), which appears in various contexts throughout the Bible.

Genesis 3:15
The first and perhaps most pivotal mention of the heel is found in Genesis 3:15, often referred to as the Protoevangelium, or the first gospel. In this passage, God pronounces a curse upon the serpent following the fall of man: "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He will crush your head, and you will strike his heel" . This verse is widely interpreted as a messianic prophecy, foretelling the ultimate victory of Christ over Satan. The striking of the heel symbolizes the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus, while the crushing of the serpent's head signifies His triumph over sin and death.

Genesis 25:26
The heel is also mentioned in the account of Jacob and Esau. Genesis 25:26 states, "After this, his brother came out grasping Esau’s heel; so he was named Jacob" . The name Jacob, meaning "he grasps the heel" or "supplanter," foreshadows Jacob's future actions in supplanting his brother Esau's birthright and blessing. This narrative highlights the themes of struggle and destiny, as Jacob's grasp on Esau's heel at birth symbolizes his later efforts to overtake his brother.

Psalm 41:9
In the Psalms, the heel is used metaphorically to express betrayal. Psalm 41:9 laments, "Even my close friend, whom I trusted, he who shared my bread, has lifted up his heel against me" . This verse is often seen as a prophetic reference to Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus, as it is quoted in the New Testament (John 13:18) to describe Judas's actions. The lifting of the heel against a friend conveys a deep sense of treachery and personal injury.

Hosea 12:3
The prophet Hosea also references the heel in Hosea 12:3: "In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel, and in his vigor he wrestled with God" . This verse recalls Jacob's birth and his later encounter with God at Peniel, where he wrestled with the angel. The mention of the heel here underscores Jacob's tenacity and the transformative nature of his relationship with God.

Throughout Scripture, the heel serves as a powerful symbol of human frailty, divine prophecy, and the complex interplay of relationships. Its appearances in biblical texts invite reflection on the nature of conflict, redemption, and the fulfillment of God's promises.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 41:9
Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, has lifted up his heel against me.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 49:5
Why should I fear in the days of evil, when the iniquity of my heels shall compass me about?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hosea 12:3
He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and by his strength he had power with God:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Protevangelium.
... such been in operation, it ought to have been mentioned. ... the licking up the dust
of the feet is likewise ... the noble and less noble parts,"those parts of which ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the protevangelium.htm

An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality.
... in doing so I shall quote from all parts indiscriminately, regarding ... bearing on this
question, it may be mentioned that in passages of Scripture where Abel ...
/.../an essay on the scriptural.htm

The Ascension of Christ
... mounts aloft, he breaks the dragon's head beneath his feet. ... Christ descended into
the lowest parts of the earth ... few of eminence, who could be mentioned in the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the ascension of christ.htm

Chapter iii
... wekhi" "and that"), to make the separate parts of the ... of India which has leaves several
feet in length. ... the intellect, whereas the one just mentioned had its ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter iii.htm

Chapter xxxii
... there is any poetical meter in these parts of Genesis. ... inasmuch as the Jabbok is
perhaps thirty feet wide and ... of the Jabbok near Jordan and is mentioned Jud 8 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxii.htm

Treatise on Christ and Antichrist.
... serpent but Antichrist, that deceiver who is mentioned in Genesis ... And by the "moon
under her feet" he referred to ... one week being divided into two parts, and the ...
/.../treatise on christ and antichrist.htm

Seasonable Counsel: Or, Advice to Sufferers.
... "Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? ... for, although all these things that have
been mentioned before may ... 17 we should lay down our souls at the feet of God ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/seasonable counsel or advice to.htm

Appendix ix. List of Old Testament Passages Messianically Applied ...
... generation after another blaspheming, expect the feet of the ... is also among the future
things mentioned in the ... sufferings are divided into three parts; one part ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix ix list of old.htm

Selections from the Work against Heresies by Irenaeus, Bishop of ...
... Libya, nor those established in the middle parts of the ... no more Gospels than have
been mentioned before, nor ... shall put all enemies under his feet; death will ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/selections from the work against 2.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... What word, then, of the inspired Scripture has taught ... the other elements which I
have mentioned; and what ... which is seen into its component parts, and, having ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm