כֶּבֶשׁ
a footstool (as trodden upon)
Definition
The Hebrew noun כֶּבֶשׁ (kebesh) refers to a footstool, an object placed under the feet of a seated person, often a ruler. It is derived from the verb meaning 'to tread down' or 'to subdue,' emphasizing the footstool's function as something trodden upon. In its single biblical occurrence in 2 Chronicles 9:18, it describes part of King Solomon's magnificent throne, highlighting royal splendor and authority. While 'footstool' is its concrete meaning, the related verb and the metaphorical use of 'footstool' elsewhere in Scripture (e.g., for the earth as God's footstool in Isaiah 66:1) connect it to themes of dominion and submission.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in 2 Chronicles 9:18. It appears in a detailed description of King Solomon's lavish throne, which was overlaid with gold and had six steps: 'and there was a footstool of gold, fastened to the throne.' Its usage is strictly within a context of royal furniture and opulence, symbolizing the king's elevated status and the subservient position of whatever—or whoever—is under his feet.
Etymology
The noun כֶּבֶשׁ (kebesh) is directly derived from the verb כָּבַשׁ (kavash, H3533), which means 'to subdue,' 'to bring into bondage,' or 'to tread down.' This etymological link grounds the physical object—a footstool—in the action of trampling or placing underfoot. The concept is one of exerted control and dominance, where the footstool represents that which is subdued.
Semantic Range
Though the word itself appears only in a descriptive, material context, its root and the biblical motif of the 'footstool' carry significant theological weight. In the Old Testament, the earth (Isaiah 66:1) and Israel's enemies (Psalm 110:1) are described as God's footstool, a powerful metaphor for His supreme sovereignty and victorious dominion. Understanding that כֶּבֶשׁ implies something subdued enriches the reading of these passages, emphasizing that God's rule is absolute and His enemies are ultimately placed under His feet.
In the ancient Near East, a footstool was not merely a piece of furniture but a potent symbol of authority and conquest. Kings and deities were depicted with their feet resting on footstools, often representing vanquished foes or subjugated territories. Solomon's golden footstool, therefore, was a clear cultural statement of his power, wealth, and the stability of his kingdom, communicating his dominance to all who saw his throne.
הֲדֹם (hadom, H1916) — The more common biblical word for 'footstool,' used in metaphorical contexts for God's dominion (e.g., Psalm 99:5, Isaiah 66:1).
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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