Original Word: הֲדֹם
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: hadom
Pronunciation: hah-dome
Phonetic Spelling: (had-ome')
KJV: (foot-)stool
Word Origin: [from an unused root meaning to stamp upon]

1. a foot stool

footstool

From an unused root meaning to stamp upon; a foot stool -- (foot-)stool.

Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
a stool, footstool
NASB Translation
footstool* (6).

הֲדֹם noun masculine stool, footstool, always joined with רַגְלַיִם; only in poetry and late writings, (properly something cast down, low) — ׳ה absolute Psalm 110:1 (or construct before לְ, compare Ges^{§ 130}, 1); construct Lamentations 2:1+ 4t. — footstool, never literal, usually of ׳י Isaiah 66:1 רַגְלַי ׳הַשָּׁמַיִם כִּסְאִי וְהָאָרֶץ ה; elsewhere with reference to sanctuary רַגְלָיו ׳ה (compare מְקוֺם רַגְלַי Isaiah 60:13) Lamentations 2:1, or perhaps of ark (as place on which God rests) Psalm 99:5; Psalm 132:7, רַגְלֵי ׳וְלַה ׳בֵּית מְנוּחָה לַאֲרוֺן בְּרִיתיֿ אֱלֹהֵינוּ 1 Chronicles 28:2; of conquest of enemies of Messianic king by Yahweh's agency אָשִׁית אֹיְבֶיךָ הֲדֹם לְרַגְלֶיךָ Psalm 110:1.

Literal Sense in Ancient Israelite Culture

The word denotes a footstool, the low piece of furniture on which a sitting person rests the feet. In royal and temple contexts it suggested humility before a superior and the security enjoyed in his presence. Archaeology confirms that ancient Near Eastern thrones were commonly paired with a footstool, signaling the monarch’s exalted status and restful dominion.

Symbol of Sovereignty and Rest

References to God’s “footstool” transfer that royal imagery to the covenant LORD. Heaven is His throne; earth, and specifically Zion, is the place where His feet rest (Isaiah 66:1). Thus the term proclaims both His supreme authority over creation and His willingness to make His presence accessible to His people.

Liturgical Use in Temple Worship

The sanctuary furniture, especially the Ark of the Covenant, was viewed as the earthly footstool of the invisible King. When David addressed Israel in 1 Chronicles 28:2 he called the proposed temple “a house of rest for the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD, the footstool of our God.” Psalms used in corporate worship echo the invitation: “Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His footstool; holy is He” (Psalm 99:5) and “Let us go to His dwelling place; let us worship at His footstool” (Psalm 132:7). Drawing near to the footstool implied reverent approach and trusting intimacy.

Messianic Significance

Psalm 110:1 introduces a second, predictive nuance: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet”. Here the footstool motif becomes the destiny of hostile powers subdued under the Messiah’s reign. New Testament writers apply this verse to Jesus Christ (Matthew 22:44; Hebrews 1:13), affirming His victorious lordship and the ultimate subjection of all opposition to Him.

Eschatological Hope

By connecting God’s throne with His footstool, Isaiah 66:1 points forward to the new heavens and new earth, where the Creator’s rule will be universally acknowledged. Conversely, Lamentations 2:1 laments the Day of the LORD’s anger when “He has cast from heaven to earth the splendor of Israel and has not remembered His footstool.” The loss of the temple signified the withdrawal of favor, yet even that judgment intensified longing for future restoration and the permanent resting place of God among His people.

Pastoral and Devotional Applications

1. Worship: Approaching the “footstool” summons believers to humility and praise, recognizing both God’s majesty and His gracious nearness.
2. Assurance: The footstool image conveys restful security; believers may place every burden under the feet of the enthroned Christ.
3. Mission: Psalm 110:1 motivates proclamation of the Gospel, confident that Christ’s enemies will ultimately be subdued, not by human force, but by the advancement of His kingdom.
4. Hope: The contrast between Lamentations 2:1 and Isaiah 66:1 encourages perseverance; even when earthly representations of God’s presence are shaken, His sovereign purpose stands unshaken.

Summary of Occurrences

1 Chronicles 28:2 – David calls the projected temple “the footstool of our God.”

Psalm 99:5 – Worshipers exalt the LORD and bow at His footstool.

Psalm 110:1 – The Messiah’s foes will become His footstool.

Psalm 132:7 – Pilgrims resolve to worship at God’s footstool in Zion.

Isaiah 66:1 – Heaven is God’s throne, earth His footstool.

Lamentations 2:1 – In judgment the LORD disregards His footstool, the fallen temple.

הֲדֹ֣ם הֲדֹם־ הדם הדם־ וְלַהֲדֹם֙ ולהדם לַהֲדֹ֥ם להדם hă·ḏōm hă·ḏōm- haDom hăḏōm hăḏōm- la·hă·ḏōm lahaDom lahăḏōm velahaDom wə·la·hă·ḏōm wəlahăḏōmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts