πούς

the foot

Definition

The Greek word πούς (poys) primarily means 'the foot,' referring literally to the human foot (Matthew 4:6). It is often used metaphorically to signify one's presence, movement, or stance, as in 'shaking the dust off your feet' to symbolize rejecting a place (Matthew 10:14). In some contexts, it represents submission or authority, such as placing something under one's feet (1 Corinthians 15:25), and can denote the lowest part or foundation of an object, like the foot of a mountain (Matthew 18:8).

Biblical Usage

Πούς appears 86 times across the New Testament, most frequently in the Gospels and Acts, often in literal descriptions of healing (Matthew 15:30) or physical actions like washing feet (John 13:6). It is used metaphorically in passages about judgment (Matthew 22:13) and mission (Acts 13:51), and appears in theological contexts, such as Christ's authority over all things (Ephesians 1:22) and the believer's spiritual armor (Ephesians 6:15).

Etymology

Derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *ped-, meaning 'foot,' which is also the source of Latin 'pes' and English 'foot.' In Greek, it is a basic, ancient noun with cognates in many languages, retaining its core meaning of the lower extremity of the leg throughout classical and Koine Greek.

Semantic Range

Πούς is theologically significant as it frequently symbolizes humility, service, and submission, exemplified in Jesus washing the disciples' feet (John 13:1-17). It also conveys Christ's supreme authority, with God placing all enemies under his feet (1 Corinthians 15:25-27), a concept tied to messianic prophecy (Psalm 110:1). Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting how physical imagery underscores spiritual truths about mission, judgment, and lordship.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, feet were associated with travel, often dusty and soiled, making foot-washing a common act of hospitality and servitude. Going barefoot or having one's feet bound could signify poverty, captivity, or mourning. The act of placing something under one's feet was a clear cultural symbol of total subjugation and victory, used in royal and military contexts.

βάσις (basis, G939) — emphasizes the foot as a base or step, often in a more static sense. σκέλος (skelos, G4628) — refers to the leg, a broader bodily term. ἴχνος (ichnos, G2487) — means footprint or track, focusing on the trace left by the foot.

Word Details

Scripture References