Hebrews 10:13 Christ's Footstool and Sin Sacrifice
Hebrews 10:13 states, "Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet" (BSB) [2]. This verse describes Christ's post-resurrection state, emphasizing His completed work of atonement and subsequent exaltation. It directly follows Hebrews 10:12, which notes that Christ, "for sin one sacrifice having offered—to the end, did sit down on the right hand of God" (YLT) [1].
The immediate context of Hebrews 10 contrasts the single, perfect sacrifice of Christ with the repeated, insufficient animal sacrifices of the Old Covenant [7]. Unlike the Levitical priests who stood daily to offer sacrifices, Christ offered Himself once and then sat down, signifying the finality and efficacy of His work [7]. The act of sitting at the right hand of God is a position of honor and authority, as seen in Psalm 110:1, which is frequently referenced in the New Testament [5, 7].
The imagery of enemies being made a "footstool" for Christ's feet is drawn from Psalm 110:1 [3, 5]. A footstool was often associated with a throne, symbolizing dominion and subjugation [3]. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, placing one's foot on a conquered enemy's neck was a gesture of complete victory and authority, as seen in Joshua 10:24 [5]. The earth itself is described as God's footstool in other biblical texts, such as Isaiah 66:1 and Matthew 5:35 [3].
Commentators interpret this waiting period as Christ awaiting the full execution of His Father's will, where all His adversaries will be subjected to Him [8]. This includes both spiritual foes and those who reject His atoning sacrifice and high priesthood [9]. John Gill notes that Christ's sitting down and expecting His enemies to be made His footstool is a consequence of His "one sacrifice for sin" [10]. Adam Clarke suggests an "oblique reference" to the destruction of the Jews, which was imminent at the time of writing, as part of Christ's triumph over those who refused Him as their atoning Priest [9].
The "sin-offering" (Hebrew hattath) in the Old Testament involved detailed rituals, often including the sprinkling of blood in the Holy of Holies on the Day of Atonement [4]. These offerings, however, were temporary and had to be repeated, unlike Christ's singular, perfect sacrifice [7]. The author of Hebrews argues that Christ's death was a voluntary, acceptable, and necessary sacrifice for the redemption of humanity, fulfilling the types and shadows of the Old Covenant [6]. His sacrifice perfected "for ever them that are sanctified," referring to those chosen by God for grace and holiness [10].
Sources
- Hebrews “Hebrews 10:12 (YLT) — And He, for sin one sacrifice having offered--to the end, did sit down on the right hand of God, --”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 10:13 (BSB) — Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet,”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Footstool — Connected with a throne (2 Chr. 9:18). Jehovah symbolically dwelt in the holy place between the cherubim above the ark of the covenant. The ark was his footstool (1 Chr. 28:2; Ps. 99:5; 132:7). And as heaven is God's throne, so the earth is his footstool (Ps. 110:1; Isa. 66:1; Matt. 5:35).”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sin-offering — (Heb. hattath), the law of, is given in detail in Lev. 4-6:13; 9:7-11, 22-24; 12:6-8; 15:2, 14, 25-30; 14:19, 31; Num. 6:10-14. On the day of Atonement it was made with special solemnity (Lev. 16:5, 11, 15). The blood was then carried into the holy of holies and sprinkled on the mercy-seat. Sin-offerings were also presented at the five annual festivals (Num. 28, 29), and on the occasion of the consecration of the priests (Ex. 29:10-14, 36). As each individual, even the most private member of the congregation, as well as the congregation at large, and t”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “Hebrews 1:13 cross-references: Joshua 10:24, Psalms 21:8, Psalms 110:1, Psalms 132:18, Isaiah 63:3, Matthew 22:44, Mark 12:36, Luke 19:27, Luke 20:42, Acts 2:34, Acts 7:55, 1 Corinthians 15:25, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 10:12, Revelation 19:11, Revelation 20:15”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Death of Christ, The — Foretold -- Isa 53:8; Da 9:26; Zec 13:7. Appointed by God -- Isa 53:6,10; Ac 2:23. Necessary for the redemption of man -- Lu 24:46; Ac 17:3. Acceptable, as a sacrifice to God -- Mt 20:28; Eph 5:2; 1Th 5:10. Was voluntary -- Isa 53:12; Mt 26:53; Joh 10:17,18. Was undeserved -- Isa 53:9. Mode of Foretold by Christ. -- Mt 20:18,19; Joh 12:32,33. Prefigured. -- Nu 21:8; Joh 3:14. Ignominious. -- Heb 12:2. Accursed. -- Ga 3:13. Exhibited His humility. -- Php 2:8. A stumbling block to Jews. -- 1Co 1:23. Foolishness to Gentiles. -- 1Co 1:18,23. Demand”
- Hebrews (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Hebrews 10:12: 10:12-13 Christ’s sacrifice contrasts with that of the earthly high priests in that he offered himself to God as a . . . sacrifice, rather than offering animal sacrifices. • After the sacrifice was accomplished, he sat down in the place of honor (see Ps 110:1). Instead of standing daily like the priests of the old covenant (Heb 10:11), he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet (Ps 110:1).”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 10:13: expecting--"waiting." Awaiting the execution of His Father's will, that all His foes should be subjected to Him. The Son waits till the Father shall "send Him forth to triumph over all His foes." He is now sitting at rest (Heb 10:12), invisibly reigning, and having His foes virtually, by right of His death, subject to Him. His present sitting on the unseen throne is a necessary preliminary to His coming forth to subject His foes openly. He shall then come forth to a visibly manifested kingdom and conquest over His foes. Thus He fulfils Psa 110:1. Thi”
- Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 10:13: Till his enemies be made his footstool - Till all that oppose his high priesthood and sacrificial offering shall be defeated, routed, and confounded; and acknowledge, in their punishment, the supremacy of his power as universal and eternal King, who refused to receive him as their atoning and sanctifying Priest. There is also an oblique reference here to the destruction of the Jews, which was then at hand; for Christ was about to take away the second with an overwhelming flood of desolations.”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 10:14: For by one offering,.... The same as before; himself, body and soul; this is a reason why he is set down, and will continue so for ever, and why he expects his enemies to be made his footstool; because by one sacrifice for sin, which he has once offered, he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified; that is, who are sanctified by God the Father, Jde 1:1 or, who are set apart by him in eternal election, from the rest of the world, for his own use, service, and glory, to a state of grace and holiness here, and happiness hereafter; for this is not to be unders”