footstool

Everyday

1. A low stool or small padded seat for resting your feet on when you sit in a chair. tree →
2. (Bible, figurative) something under someone's feet, showing power: «the earth is my footstool». tree →

In the lessons

Everyday furniture word in homes, especially older ones. In stories it often appears by the fire in a cosy room, like the Badger's kitchen. In the Bible God says «heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool», meaning God is greater than the whole world.

Examples

• Grandpa rested his feet on the footstool. tree →
• The cat slept on the footstool by the fire. tree →
• She sat on a footstool to read to the little ones. tree →
• Badger pulled up a footstool for Mole. tree →
• The footstool had a velvet top. tree →
• I stood on the footstool to reach the shelf. tree →
• «The earth is my footstool,» says the Bible. tree →
• If you like, you may sit down on it, and be my little queen, and I will sit on the footstool." tree →

Note

Compound noun: foot + stool. Plural: footstools. Standing on a footstool to reach high things can be unsafe; ask for help.

In Jewish tradition

The Bible calls the earth, or the Temple and Ark, God's footstool, a picture of God's greatness as king. In Psalm 110 it means the enemies are made to bow.

Interpretation. Tradition reads the Temple as the place where God's presence touches earth. Psalm 110 is understood by Jews as speaking of David or a king of Israel.

Examples

• Let us go into His dwelling-place; let us worship at His footstool. (Writings PSA.132.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• Exalt ye the LORD our God, and prostrate yourselves at His footstool; Holy is He. (Writings PSA.99.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• The LORD saith unto my lord: 'Sit thou at My right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.' (Writings PSA.110.1, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Compound noun: foot + stool. Plural: footstools. Standing on a footstool to reach high things can be unsafe; ask for help.