Topical Bible: The Feet of Enemies often Maimed and Cut off

Bible > Topical > The Feet of Enemies often Maimed and Cut off

◄ The Feet of Enemies often Maimed and Cut off ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the maiming and cutting off of the feet of enemies is a practice that reflects the ancient Near Eastern customs of warfare and the symbolic representation of total victory over one's adversaries. This act is often depicted as a means of incapacitating the enemy, ensuring they cannot rise again to pose a threat, and serving as a public demonstration of dominance and subjugation.

Biblical Instances and Symbolism

1. Joshua's Conquest: One of the most notable instances of this practice is found in the Book of Joshua. After the Israelites, led by Joshua, defeated the coalition of five Amorite kings, Joshua commanded his commanders to place their feet on the necks of these kings. This act symbolized complete victory and subjugation. While the text does not explicitly mention the cutting off of feet, the act of placing feet on the necks is a related symbolic gesture of dominance (Joshua 10:24).

2. Judges and Kings: The practice of maiming enemies is also seen in the broader context of Israel's judges and kings. For example, in Judges, Adoni-Bezek, a Canaanite king, was captured by the Israelites, and they cut off his thumbs and big toes. Adoni-Bezek himself acknowledged this as a customary practice, having done the same to seventy kings (Judges 1:6-7). Although this passage specifically mentions thumbs and toes, it reflects the broader practice of disabling enemies to prevent future threats.

3. David's Warfare: King David's military campaigns also reflect the harsh realities of ancient warfare. In 2 Samuel 8:2, David defeated the Moabites and measured them with a line, putting to death two-thirds and sparing one-third. While the text does not specify the cutting off of feet, it illustrates the severe measures taken against enemies to ensure they could not regroup or retaliate.

Theological Implications

The maiming and cutting off of enemies' feet can be understood as a physical manifestation of divine judgment and the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel. In the Old Testament, God often commanded the Israelites to utterly destroy their enemies as a means of purging the land of idolatry and wickedness. The physical incapacitation of enemies served as a tangible sign of God's deliverance and the establishment of His chosen people in the Promised Land.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the ancient Near East, the mutilation of enemies was not unique to Israel but was a common practice among various cultures. It served both practical and psychological purposes, ensuring that defeated foes could not easily regroup and instilling fear in potential adversaries. The cutting off of feet, in particular, rendered an enemy unable to flee or fight, symbolizing total defeat.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

From a modern perspective, the practice of maiming enemies raises moral and ethical questions. However, within the biblical narrative, these actions are often portrayed as part of God's divine plan and judgment. The harsh realities of ancient warfare are depicted as necessary measures for the survival and establishment of Israel as a nation set apart for God's purposes.

Conclusion

The biblical accounts of maiming and cutting off the feet of enemies reflect the historical and cultural context of ancient warfare. These actions symbolize total victory and divine judgment, serving as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises to His people.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 1:6,7
But Adonibezek fled; and they pursued after him, and caught him, and cut off his thumbs and his great toes.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 4:12
And David commanded his young men, and they slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in the sepulcher of Abner in Hebron.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Compel them to Come In
... the God who preaches Christ to you to-day, enemies to him ... on the cross with hands
extended, and with feet nailed fast ... How often do we hear of men falling in our ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/compel them to come in.htm

Who is the Greatest?
... Now His enemies saw an opportunity of casting discredit upon Him ... life halt, rather
than having thy two feet to be ... Often the truth must be plainly spoken to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 48 who is the.htm

Matt. xviii. 7
... For if when we have enemies, and when so many ... rather than having two hands or feet
to be ... For what things compulsion cannot, friendship can often effect, both ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lix matt xviii 7.htm

1 Cor. xv. 11
... practice the reductio ad absurdum which also Paul often doeth ... the Son, and He having
them cast under His feet be at ... For the enemies of the Lord in the moment of ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxxix 1 cor xv.htm

A Gluttonous Man and a Winebibber
... suppress, but abstinence and suppression are often essential to ... Now, secondly, notice
the enemies' witness that Christ is ... in and wept over the feet of Gamaliel ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/a gluttonous man and a.htm

1 Thessalonians v. 1, 2
... on that side nothing; we are often plundered from a ... out and widening ourselves, and
shuffling out our feet. ... devil has disposed us to be enemies and adversaries ...
/.../homily ix 1 thessalonians v.htm

Matt. xv. 21, 22
... the Scribes and Pharisees that I am?" often as these ... no part with me, unless I wash
thy feet;" [2115] even ... doing good not to kinsmen only, but even to enemies. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lii matt xv 21.htm

The Power of Christ Illustrated by the Resurrection
... the glory to be revealed, for even his enemies as they ... Often the spirit truly is
willing, but the flesh is weak ... and hath put all things under his feet, and gave ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the power of christ illustrated.htm

The Hope of Future Bliss
... Had it not been for David's enemies, he would not ... for that fame which comes late
is often most enduring ... his pierced side, his bleeding hands and feet, and all ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the hope of future bliss.htm

Increasing Progression of Enthusiasm and of Exaltation.
... rather than having two hands or two feet to be ... fire."[5] The cessation of generation
was often considered as ... times thought him mad.[2] His enemies declared him ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xix increasing progression of.htm