What Does Footstool Mean?
There I will meet with you, and from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubim that are on the ark of the testimony, I will speak with you about all that I will give you in commandment for the people of Israel.
Key Facts
Term Name
Footstool
Primary Meaning
Represents God's presence, authority, and covenantal accessibility to humanity.
Old Testament Reference
Exodus 25:22, where God promises to meet with Moses above the mercy seat in the tabernacle.
New Testament Fulfillment
Jesus' resurrection and ascension establish direct access to God's presence through His mediatorial role (Hebrews 4:16).
The Footstool in the Old Testament
The footstool's symbolic significance first emerges in Exodus 25:22, where God promises to meet with Moses above the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant.
This verse situates the footstool within the tabernacle's sacred architecture, linking it to divine presence and authority. The structure of the tabernacle itself, designed to house God's presence among Israel, positions the footstool as a visual representation of God's throne, a concept reinforced by ancient Near Eastern imagery where thrones were often depicted with footstools to signify power and majesty. Exodus 25:22 explicitly ties the footstool to God's covenantal relationship with Israel, emphasizing His accessibility yet transcendence as He speaks from above the mercy seat. This placement underscores the footstool's role in mediating divine-human interaction, framing worship as both intimate and reverent.
The symbolism in Exodus 25:22 establishes a foundation for later biblical uses of the footstool motif, which will expand to include Christological and eschatological dimensions in the New Testament.
The Footstool in the New Testament Fulfillment
In the New Testament, Jesus' resurrection and ascension reconfigure the footstool's symbolism from a physical locus of divine presence to a spiritual reality centered on covenantal access.
Hebrews 4:16 describes believers approaching God's throne of grace through Jesus, the high priest who mediates this access—replacing the tabernacle's footstool as the site of divine encounter. Hebrews 10:19-22 explicitly contrasts the old covenant's restricted access with Christ's torn veil, enabling confident entry into God's presence through His sacrificed body. This shift relocates the footstool's function from a static object to Jesus Himself, whose humanity and divinity embody the bridge between heaven and earth. The imagery thus transforms from a spatial symbol to a relational one, emphasizing grace over ritual purity.
The footstool's reimagining hinges on Jesus' dual role as both sacrifice and mediator, rendering the physical tabernacle obsolete while fulfilling its symbolic purpose. This New Covenant framework reframes the footstool not as a boundary but as an invitation to intimacy with God through Christ's ongoing intercession.
In this context, the footstool symbol becomes a dynamic representation of Jesus' heavenly ministry, where His ascension establishes a perpetual, personal connection between God and humanity. Hebrews' emphasis on boldness in approaching God (Hebrews 4:16) and the 'new and living way' (Hebrews 10:20) redefines the footstool's legacy, pointing toward a transformed understanding of divine accessibility. This evolution sets the stage for exploring the footstool's eschatological implications in later biblical texts.
What the Footstool Means for Us Today
The biblical imagery of the footstool finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus, who redefines our access to God’s presence through His mediation.
Hebrews 4:16 invites believers to approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, a dynamic rooted in the footstool’s transformed symbolism. This verse reframes prayer and worship as direct encounters with a God who is both transcendent and intimately near, no longer mediated by physical objects but by Christ’s perpetual intercession. The footstool’s legacy underscores that divine accessibility is not a privilege earned but a gift received through faith in Jesus, reshaping how we view prayer as a relational bridge rather than a ritual. For daily faith, this means our prayers are not mere requests but conversations with a God who has already drawn near, challenging us to live with boldness and dependence on His unchanging grace.
Going Deeper
To deepen your understanding of the footstool’s symbolism, consider related biblical imagery such as the mercy seat and throne.
Scholarly discussions often explore how the footstool in Exodus 25:22 and the throne imagery in Hebrews 1:3 reflect broader themes of divine authority and access. Engaging with commentaries on Exodus and Hebrews, such as those by Bruce Waltke or D.A. Carson, can illuminate these connections and the evolving theological significance of these symbols.
Further Reading
Key Scripture Mentions
Exodus 25:22
God promises to meet with Moses above the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant, linking the footstool to divine presence.
Hebrews 4:16
Believers are invited to approach God's throne of grace through Jesus, redefining the footstool's symbolism.
Hebrews 10:19-22
Describes Christ's sacrifice as enabling direct access to God, replacing the tabernacle's footstool.
Related Concepts
Mercy Seat (Symbols)
The gold-covered lid of the ark where God's presence dwelled, directly associated with the footstool in Exodus.
Covenant (Theological Concepts)
The footstool's placement in the tabernacle underscores God's covenantal relationship with Israel.
Moses (Figures)
The mediator through whom God spoke from above the mercy seat, central to the footstool's OT significance.
Throne (Symbols)
Ancient Near Eastern imagery of thrones with footstools symbolizes divine power and majesty.