Topical Bible: The Feet of the Jews: Washed Frequently

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the cultural and historical context of the Bible, the practice of washing feet holds significant importance, particularly among the Jewish people. This practice is deeply rooted in the customs of hospitality, religious rituals, and daily life in ancient Israel and the surrounding regions.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern societies, including Israel, foot washing was a common practice due to the dusty and arid environment. People typically wore sandals, which left their feet exposed to dirt and grime. As a result, washing feet became a necessary and frequent activity to maintain cleanliness and comfort.

Hospitality and Social Customs

Foot washing was an essential aspect of hospitality in Jewish culture. Hosts would often provide water for guests to wash their feet upon entering a home. This act was a gesture of welcome and respect. In Genesis 18:4 , Abraham offers water to wash the feet of his divine visitors: "Let a little water be brought, and then you may all wash your feet and rest under this tree." Similarly, in Genesis 19:2 , Lot extends the same courtesy to the visiting angels in Sodom: "Please, my lords, turn aside into your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning."

Religious and Ritual Significance

Foot washing also held religious significance in Jewish tradition. The priests in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple were required to wash their hands and feet before performing their duties, as described in Exodus 30:19-21 : "Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it. Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister by presenting an offering made by fire to the LORD, they must wash with water, so that they will not die."

Symbolism and Spiritual Lessons

In the New Testament, foot washing takes on a profound symbolic meaning in the teachings of Jesus Christ. In John 13:5 , Jesus washes the feet of His disciples, demonstrating humility and servanthood: "After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to dry them with the towel that was wrapped around Him." This act serves as a powerful lesson in humility and love, encouraging believers to serve one another selflessly.

Daily Life and Personal Hygiene

Beyond its religious and social implications, foot washing was a practical aspect of daily life for the Jewish people. Frequent washing of the feet was necessary for personal hygiene and comfort, especially after long journeys or a day's work. This routine practice underscores the importance of cleanliness in both physical and spiritual aspects of life.

In summary, the frequent washing of feet among the Jews was a multifaceted practice encompassing hospitality, religious observance, and daily hygiene. It served as a symbol of humility, service, and purity, reflecting broader spiritual truths within the biblical narrative.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Samuel 11:8
And David said to Uriah, Go down to your house, and wash your feet. And Uriah departed out of the king's house, and there followed him a mess of meat from the king.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Songs 5:3
I have put off my coat; how shall I put it on? I have washed my feet; how shall I defile them?
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Morning-Meal in the Pharisee's House - Meals and Feasts among ...
... any, are carefully gathered - hands are again washed, and he ... on his left side, with
his feet stretching back. ... to have been the rule among the Palestinian Jews. ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xii the morning-meal in.htm

How Ptolemy Philadelphus Procured the Laws of the Jews to be ...
... The chapiters of the feet imitated the first buddings of ... former place, where, when
they had washed their hands ... days, Demetrius gathered all the Jews together to ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 2 how ptolemy philadelphus.htm

Appendix xvi. On the Jewish views About Demons' and the Demonised ...
... century Christianity had widely spread among the Jews, and R ... which case they would
appear with the feet upwards ... the water with which the hands are washed in the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xvi on the jewish.htm

Whether the Actions Performed in Celebrating this Sacrament are ...
... according to Jn.13:10: "He that is washed needeth not ... it was then: because the washing
of the feet is omitted ... work of God, of Judas, and of the Jews; and this ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the actions performed in.htm

The Last Supper.
... If thou art not submissive to me, thou art not my disciple." Washing, with the Jews,
was a ... Of course they knew that Christ had washed their feet. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/the last supper.htm

Pagans.
... was done alternately, till the pile was five feet in height ... body of the husband was
taken and washed in the ... so much the rather, as the ancient Jews, and even ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/pagans.htm

The Young Titus
... But one of the Jews on the wall thrust his ... in his place and leaped a good twenty
feet to the ... stopped at the Lavatory outside the walls, washed themselves and ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter ix the young titus.htm

The Gospel of John
... have been exceedingly impressive, for we read, "And the Jews marvelled, saying ... There,
we saw His feet anointed; here, the feet of the disciples are washed. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/why four gospels/the gospel of john.htm

The Persecutions of the Apostolic Church, and Its Condition at the ...
... for he had been brought up at the feet of Gamaliel ... parts of Libya about Cyrene,"
[173:6] for if Jews from that ... such were some of you but ye are washed, but ye ...
/.../killen/the ancient church/chapter xi the persecutions of.htm

John x. 14, 15
... impure; another also who was a harlot, on whose account the Jews reproached Him,
He both received and healed, and allowed His feet to be washed by the ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily lx john x 14.htm