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

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In the biblical context, the human body is often used metaphorically to convey spiritual truths, and the feet, including the toes, are no exception. Toes, as part of the feet, are mentioned in various passages throughout Scripture, often symbolizing strength, stability, and completeness.

Symbolism and Significance

Toes, though seemingly minor, play a crucial role in balance and movement, symbolizing the importance of even the smallest parts in the body of Christ. This is reflective of the Apostle Paul's teaching in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, where he emphasizes the significance of every member of the body of Christ, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.

Biblical References

1. Daniel's Vision of the Statue: In the book of Daniel, toes are mentioned in the context of Nebuchadnezzar's dream of a great statue. The statue's feet, composed partly of iron and partly of clay, have ten toes. Daniel interprets this as a divided kingdom, partly strong and partly brittle. "As the toes of the feet were partly iron and partly clay, so this kingdom will be partly strong and partly brittle" (Daniel 2:42). The toes here symbolize the fragmentation and instability of earthly kingdoms, contrasting with the eternal kingdom of God.

2. The Defeat of Adoni-Bezek: In Judges 1:6-7, the toes are mentioned in the account of Adoni-Bezek, a Canaanite king captured by the Israelites. "Adoni-Bezek fled, but they pursued him, seized him, and cut off his thumbs and big toes. Then Adoni-Bezek said, 'Seventy kings with their thumbs and big toes cut off used to pick up scraps under my table. As I have done, so God has repaid me.'" (Judges 1:6-7). The cutting off of toes was a practice to incapacitate and humiliate, rendering a person unable to stand firm or fight effectively, symbolizing the consequences of pride and cruelty.

3. The Vision of the Beast: In Revelation, the number ten, often associated with completeness, is symbolically linked to toes in the vision of the beast with ten horns. While not directly mentioning toes, the imagery of ten is reminiscent of the ten toes of Daniel's statue, representing completeness in opposition to God's kingdom. "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but will receive authority as kings along with the beast for one hour" (Revelation 17:12).

Theological Implications

The mention of toes in Scripture, though sparse, carries significant theological implications. They serve as a reminder of the importance of every part of the body, both physically and spiritually. In the body of Christ, each member, regardless of perceived importance, contributes to the overall function and health of the church. The imagery of toes also underscores the transient nature of earthly power and the ultimate sovereignty of God's eternal kingdom.

In summary, while toes may seem a minor detail in the grand narrative of Scripture, their mention serves to illustrate profound truths about human nature, divine justice, and the structure of God's kingdom.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Exodus 29:20
Then shall you kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood on the altar round about.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 21:20
And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes, four and twenty in number; and he also was born to the giant.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Daniel 2:41
And whereas you saw the feet and toes, part of potters' clay, and part of iron, the kingdom shall be divided; but there shall be in it of the strength of the iron, for as much as you saw the iron mixed with miry clay.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Daniel. Ii. The Interpretation by Hippolytus, (Bishop) of Rome ...
... Having mentioned therefore seventy weeks, and having divided them into two parts,
in order ... also these words: "And his arms and his feet like polished ...
/.../on daniel ii the interpretation.htm

The Life of Anne Catherine Emmerich
... that a painful journey would cause: her feet were wounded ... in the subject, and the
friend above-mentioned heard the ... and growing large, and in some parts the red ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/the life of anne catherine.htm

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
... Sanh.93 b). Lastly, the genealogical parts of the ... The various passage are also mentioned
in which the Biblical ... living beings): two hands, and two feet, and two ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix v rabbinic theology and.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

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
... God, I could have lain down at their feet, and have ... it, for I doubted not but it
was in holy Scripture. ... were all that God would save in those parts; and that I ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/grace abounding to the chief.htm

The Sixth vision "On Earth"
... in Daniel 2.is clearly marked as consisting of five parts:". ... Here, the five are not
only mentioned separately, as to ... "And whereas thou sawest the feet and toes ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the sixth vision on earth.htm

Antichrist.
... to antichrist again those people, nations, or parts of nations ... in them, they are
like to those now mentioned. ... have made kings bow at their feet, and emperors ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xxiii antichrist.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their ... 20:25,26); yea, they
look as parts of things ... employ: but since they are but mentioned, and are ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

Another Wonderful Record of 25.
... the cornice, overhanging a precipice of several thousand feet"rushed onward. ... "I never
mentioned the matter ... His toes were sticking out of his old ones, and he ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/another wonderful record of 25 00.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... manner in which the chief fell at her feet, and then ... verse into harmony with history
and other parts of Scripture. ... 2 Samuel 1:6). The horsemen mentioned in the ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm