Footstool
The Footstool as Royal Furniture
In its most literal sense, a footstool was a low platform placed before a throne or elevated seat to support the feet of the person seated. Solomon's ivory throne featured a golden footstool (2 Chronicles 9:18), reflecting the grandeur of his court. In the New Testament, James 2:3 mentions a footstool in the context of showing favoritism in worship gatherings, where the poor are told to sit beneath someone's feet while the rich are given seats of honor.
The Earth as God's Footstool
One of Scripture's most striking images describes the entire earth as God's footstool. Isaiah 66:1 declares, "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool," a statement quoted by Jesus in Matthew 5:35 and by Stephen in Acts 7:49. This metaphor communicates the vastness of God's sovereignty — if the earth is merely where He rests His feet, then His majesty extends beyond anything creation can contain. It also serves as a rebuke against the notion that any human-made structure could fully house the presence of God.
The Ark and the Temple as God's Footstool
David described the ark of the covenant as God's footstool (1 Chronicles 28:2), the place where God's presence rested among His people. The temple itself receives similar treatment in Psalm 99:5 ("Worship at his footstool") and Psalm 132:7 ("Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at his footstool"). In Lamentations 2:1, Jeremiah mourns that God has "not remembered his footstool in the day of his anger," referring to the destruction of the temple. Isaiah 60:13 promises a future glorification of God's footstool when the splendor of Lebanon adorns the sanctuary.
Enemies Made a Footstool
The most theologically rich use of the footstool image comes from Psalm 110:1: "The LORD said to my Lord, 'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.'" This verse is the most frequently quoted Old Testament passage in the New Testament, cited by Jesus Himself (Matthew 22:44; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:43) and by multiple New Testament writers (Acts 2:35; Hebrews 1:13; 10:13). The image of placing enemies under one's feet was a common ancient Near Eastern motif representing total conquest and dominion. In ancient victory scenes, conquering kings were depicted with their feet resting on the necks of defeated rulers.
Christ's Ultimate Victory
The apostle Paul draws on this footstool imagery to describe the scope of Christ's redemptive reign. In 1 Corinthians 15:25-27, he writes that Christ must reign "until he has put all his enemies under his feet," with death itself being the final enemy destroyed. This application transforms the footstool metaphor from a symbol of military conquest into a declaration of cosmic victory. Every power that opposes God's purposes — including death — will ultimately be placed beneath the feet of the risen Christ.
Biblical Context
The footstool appears in both literal and figurative contexts across Scripture. Literally, it is royal furniture (2 Chronicles 9:18; James 2:3). Figuratively, it describes the earth (Isaiah 66:1; Matthew 5:35; Acts 7:49), the ark of the covenant (1 Chronicles 28:2), the temple (Psalm 99:5; 132:7; Lamentations 2:1), and conquered enemies (Psalm 110:1, quoted in Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, Luke 20:43, Acts 2:35, Hebrews 1:13, 10:13). Paul extends the image to Christ's reign over all powers in 1 Corinthians 15:25-27.
Theological Significance
The footstool metaphor teaches that God's sovereignty is absolute and all-encompassing. The earth, the temple, and all enemies are subject to His authority. The frequent New Testament application of Psalm 110:1 to Christ affirms His divine kingship and the certainty of His ultimate triumph over every opposing force, including death. It bridges the Old Testament expectation of a messianic king with the New Testament reality of Jesus enthroned at God's right hand.
Historical Background
In the ancient Near East, footstools were essential elements of royal iconography. Egyptian, Assyrian, and Babylonian art frequently depicted kings seated on thrones with their feet on footstools, sometimes decorated with images of conquered enemies. Pharaohs' footstools were carved with bound captives, and victory stelae showed kings literally stepping on defeated foes. This cultural context makes the biblical imagery immediately intelligible: a footstool represents total subjugation and the unquestioned authority of the one enthroned above it.