Foot
Sandals covered only the soles, so that the feet needed washing when coming from a journey. In Joh 13:10 a distinct Greek word expresses bathing the whole person and washing the feet; "he that is washed (leloumenos) needeth not save to wash (nipsasthai) his feet, but is clean every whit." When one has been, as Peter, once for all wholly forgiven in regeneration, and so received the bathing of the whole man, i.e.
justification through faith in Jesus, he needs no repetition of this as Peter requested; all he needs is cleansing from the soils that his feet contract in his daily life walk. Hence we daily pray, "give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses as," etc. (1Jo 1:9.) So the priests in entering the house of God (Exo 30:19). It was an act of humble deference to guests to wash the feet (Luk 7:38-44; 1Ti 5:10).
Disciples, after Christ's example, were to wash one another's feet, "by love serving one another" (Gal 5:13). The sandals were taken off in entering a house, hence the command to Moses (Exo 3:5) and to Joshua (Jos 5:15); compare Ecc 5:1. To put them on was to prepare for active duty (Eze 24:17); whereas mourners went barefoot (2Sa 15:30).
To "cover the feet" was the delicate expression for easing oneself, preparatory to which the loose garment was let fall to cover the person (1Sa 24:3; compare margin 2Ki 18:27). Putting the feet on captives' necks, as Joshua did (Jos 10:24), symbolizes complete mastery (Psa 110:1; 1Co 15:25; Isa 60:14).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia on Foot
Foot foot (reghel, qarcol (only twice in parallel passages: 2Sa 22:37 = Ps 18:36, where it probably means ankle); pous): The dusty roads of Palestine and other eastern lands make a much greater care of the feet necessary than we are accustomed to bestow upon them. The absence of socks or stockings, the use of sandals and low shoes rather than boots and, to an even greater degree, the frequent habit of walking barefoot make it necessary to wash the feet repeatedly every day. This is always done when entering the house, especially the better upper rooms which are usually carpeted. It is a common dictate of good manners to perform this duty to a visitor, either personally or through a servant; at least water for washing has to be presented (Ge 18:4; Lu 7:44). This has therefore become almost synonymous with the bestowal of hospitality (1Ti 5:10). At an early date this service was considered one of the lowest tasks of servants (1Sa 25:41), probably because the youngest and least trained servants were charged with the task, or because of the idea of defilement connected with the foot. It…
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible on Foot
There are various ideas con- nected with the foot due to its position as the lowest part of the human body. 1. Subjection, Jos 10=*, 2 S 22^9, Is 49^, 1 Co l.l^ ". The foot on the neck is seen on the Egyptian monuments. The promise made to Joshua of possessing every place that the sole of hio foot should tread upon, is literally claimed 6ci acttJ upon by Islam. The Sultan is the Shadow of God, the token of the Almighty's presence and power ; military concjuest is tlierefore a triumph of the faith and an malienable possession. After the war >vith Greece in 1897, this article of belief created a religious dilemma mth regard to withdrawing from conquered Thessaly. 2. Humilitr/, as in the relationship of disciple sitting at the feet of master (Dt33», Lk KP, Ac 22«), and generally of inferior to .superior in the act of obeisance and worship (Nu 16*, Ru 2'°, Ezk 11'", Mt 18^, Rv 5''' etc. ). Such prostration forms part of the ordinary Moslem devotions. 3. Defilement, Ex 3'. Contact with the common earth was considered defiling, and gave rise to the Oriental rule about removing the shoe, an…
References
- Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
- Easton, M.G. (1893) Easton's Bible Dictionary. 3rd edn. Thomas Nelson. [Public Domain]
- Nave, O.J. (1897) Nave's Topical Bible. Topical Bible Publishing Co.. [Public Domain]
- Hastings, J. (ed.) (1909) A Dictionary of the Bible. Edinburgh: T&T Clark. [Public Domain]
- Smith, W. (ed.) (1884) Smith's Bible Dictionary. London: John Murray. [Public Domain]
- Fausset, A.R. (1878) Fausset's Bible Dictionary. [Public Domain]A Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopaedia