βάσις

the foot

Definition

Βάσις (basis) primarily means 'the foot' or 'a step' in the New Testament, referring literally to the part of the body used for standing and walking. In its only biblical occurrence, Acts 3:7, it describes the physical feet of a lame man that are instantly strengthened. The word can also carry the extended sense of a 'foundation' or 'base' in broader Greek literature, though this meaning is not explicitly used in the New Testament text. Its core idea is that of a supporting structure or point of contact with the ground.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the New Testament, in Acts 3:7, within the narrative of Peter healing a lame man at the temple gate called Beautiful. The text states, 'And seizing him by the right hand, he raised him up, and immediately his feet (βάσεις) and ankles were made strong.' Here, it is used in a straightforward, literal sense to describe the physical feet, emphasizing the tangible, miraculous restoration of the man's ability to stand and walk.

Etymology

The noun βάσις derives from the verb βαίνω (bainō, G939 root), meaning 'to go' or 'to walk.' It is related to words like βαθμός (bathmos, G898), meaning 'step' or 'degree.' The development from the action of 'going' to the noun for 'foot' or 'step' is natural, highlighting the foot as the instrument of motion. This connection is seen in English cognates like 'base' and 'basis,' which also convey the idea of a foundation or starting point.

Semantic Range

While βάσις itself is a common noun, its single use in Acts 3:7 is theologically significant as it marks the precise physical locus of a divine miracle. The healing of the man's 'feet' (βάσεις) is not abstract but a concrete demonstration of the power of Jesus's name (Acts 3:6, 16) to restore creation at its most foundational level—enabling a person to stand, walk, and worship. Understanding this Greek term enriches the reading by focusing attention on the tangible, embodied nature of New Testament miracles and the gospel's power to restore human wholeness.

In the ancient Greco-Roman world, strong feet and the ability to walk were essential for daily life, commerce, and participation in public and religious activities. Lameness often relegated a person to begging, as seen in Acts 3:2. The healing of the feet, therefore, represented not just physical cure but social and religious reintegration. The term itself carried no special cultural baggage beyond its literal meaning, but the act of healing feet symbolized a restoration to full community life and worship in the temple.

πούς (pous, G4228) — The more common New Testament word for 'foot,' used in both literal and figurative contexts (e.g., washing feet, under one's feet). Βάσις is a more specific, literary synonym used only once.

Word Details

Scripture References