What are Seraphim?

What are Seraphim? Consider this video below and the Bible study that follows the video below.

What are Seraphim

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Old Testament Occurrences of Seraph (Seraphim)

The Vision of the Seraphim in Isaiah

The Fiery Serpent on a Pole (Type of Jesus Christ)

Judgment on Philistia (Palestina)

Judgment on the Rebellious Children for going to Egypt

Symbolism of the Seraphim Appearance

Six Wings

Spiritual Meaning of the Numbers 2 and 6

Salvation / Protection that God provides

God rides on the wings of the spirit

Cherubims and Seraphim

Hebrew Word H83, eber

Verses on covering the face

Summary

Covering the face of shame

Jesus Christ was put to shame on the Cross

Uncovered shining face is salvation / light of the Gospel

Verses on Uncovering the feet

Summary

Shoes – walking in the wilderness of the world (pilgrims)

Shoes – a picture of that which is low

Shoes – Sign of Confirmation

Shoes taken off on holy ground

Barefoot – How a Christian is to Walk following Christ

Feet – subjection / that which is in contact with the created earth

Feet cannot be moved – security in Christ (to walk in His way)

Hind’s feet

That which takes one on a path

 

The Hebrew word for Seraphin is saraph (H8314), which literally means ‘burning’ one.  This occurs 7 times in the Old Testament (Num 21:6, Num 21:8, Deu 8:15, Isa 14:29, Isa 30:6, Is 6:2, Is 6:6).  This word is based on H8313 which is the Hebrew word for burn which occurs over 115 times.  The word is translated as ‘Seraphim’ in Is 6:2, Is 6:6 to describe a vision that Isaiah saw:

 

Old Testament Occurrences of Seraph (Seraphim)

 

  • One occurrence of ‘Seraphim’ – Is 6:1-7
  • Seraphim literally means ‘burning one’ in Hebrew

 

  • Hebrew word: saraph (7 total occurrences)
    • 2 occurrences – seraphim – Is 6:2, Is 6:6
    • 5 occurrences – ‘fiery’ serpents – Num 21:6, 21:8, Deut 8:15, Is 14;29, 30:6
  • Christ as the serpent raised in wilderness for salvation
    • And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.   (John 3:14-16)
  • As burning ones, Seraphim are portraits of Jesus Christ

 

The Vision of the Seraphim in Isaiah

 

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Then flew one of the seraphims unto me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar: And he laid it upon my mouth, and said, Lo, this hath touched thy lips; and thine iniquity is taken away, and thy sin purged.  [Type of Jesus Christ]

(Isaiah 6:1-7)

 

The Fiery Serpent on a Pole (Type of Jesus Christ)

 

And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died. Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the serpents from us. And Moses prayed for the people. And the LORD said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live. And Moses made a serpent of brass, and put it upon a pole, and it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.

(Numbers 21:6-9)

 

Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage; Who led thee through that great and terrible wilderness, wherein were fiery serpents, and scorpions, and drought, where there was no water; who brought thee forth water out of the rock of flint;

(Deuteronomy 8:14-15)

 

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

(John 3:14-16)

 

Judgment on Philistia (Palestina)

 

In the year that king Ahaz died was this burden. Rejoice not thou, whole Palestina, because the rod of him that smote thee is broken: for out of the serpent’s root shall come forth a cockatrice, and his fruit shall be a fiery flying serpent. And the firstborn of the poor shall feed, and the needy shall lie down in safety: and I will kill thy root with famine, and he shall slay thy remnant.

(Isaiah 14:28-30)

 

Judgment on the Rebellious Children for going to Egypt

 

The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them. For the Egyptians shall help in vain, and to no purpose: therefore have I cried concerning this, Their strength is to sit still.

(Isaiah 30:6-7)

 

Symbolism of the Seraphim Appearance

 

  • Praise God
    • Holy , holy, holy – Is 6:3 and Rev 4:8
    • Wings (Is 6:2, Eze 1:6-11)
    • Seraphim of Isaiah 6 and Cherubim of Rev 1 have 6 wings
    • Symbolize salvation / protection – Ex 19:4, Ps 17:8
  • Hands (Is 6:6, Eze 1:8)
    • Symbolize the work of God in our salvation – Ps 44:3
  • Close proximity to the throne of God (Is 6:1-2, Eze 1:26)
  • Appearance
    • Cherubim – Coals of fire (Eze 1:13-14)
    • Seraphim – literally, ‘burning ones’ (Is 6:2, Is 6:2)
      • Judgment on Christ

 

Six Wings

 

In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.

(Isaiah 6:1-3)

 

And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

(Revelation 4:6-8)

 

Spiritual Meaning of the Numbers 2 and 6

 

Two
  • Those who witness, preach the Gospel or bring a false gospel
  • Those who are sent ‑ Mk 6:7, Gen 19:1, Josh 2:1
  • 12 disciples named in pairs ‑ Mat 10:1‑4
  • Witnesses ‑ Mat 18:18‑20, Lk 10:1, John 8:17, Rev 11:3‑4, Deut 17:16, Mat 18:16, John 20:3, Lk 24:13, Mk 16:12, Mat 21:1, Ecc 4:9‑12
  • 2 goats ‑ Lev 16
  • 2 myriad myria ‑ false witnesses ‑ Rev 9:16
  • 2 sons ‑ Lk 15:11, Mat 21:28‑32, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau
  • 2 debtors ‑ Mat 18
  • 2 = Israel and church, Eph 2:15, 2 covenants (Gal 4:24), 2 comings of Christ, etc ‑ witnesses
  • Eph 2:15 ‑ two into one
  • 2 witnesses ‑ Rev 11:2‑4, Deut 17:16, Mat 18:16, John 20:3, Lk 24:13, Mk 16:12
  • 2 or 3 witnesses ‑ Mat 18:16, Deut 17:6, 19:15, John 8:17, Heb 10:28, 1 Tom 5:19, 2 Cor 13:1, Num35:30
  • 2 Sons ‑ Lk 15:11, Mat 21:28‑32, Esau and Jacob, Isaac and Ishmael
  • 2 Debtors ‑ Mat 18
  • 2 number of church ‑ Mk 6:7, Mat 18:18‑20, Lk 10:1, John 8:17, see notes on 9:16
  • All Christians are witnesses ‑ Rev 1:5, 2:13 (see notes)
  • 2 become 1 flesh ‑ Mat 19:15, 1 Cor 6:16
  • 2 Tablets of testimony ‑ Ex 31:18

 

Six
  • Number of work (Gen 1‑2, Ex 20:9‑11, 23:10, Lk 23:44, John 19:14‑18, Rev 4:5‑9
  • 6 ‑ the number of work ‑ e.g. ‑ 6 days of creation ‑ Gen 1, Ex 20:11, 20:9, 23:10, Lk 23:44, John 19:14‑18, Mat 20:5, Acts 10:9

 

The word ‘wings’ (Hebrew: kanaph, H3671) occurs a little more than 100 times in the Old Testament and is often used in conjunction with birds spreading their wings.  A similar word (H83, eber, pinions) is also used 3 times I the Bible. From a negative viewpoint, we find that overspreading wings of a bird was used as an idol (Deut 4:17).   It is also used in a negative manner regarding Judah seeking refuge in the great wings of Egypt (Eze 17:3-7).  In Dan 9:27, we find that trusting in abominations rather than the overspreading wings of God, shall make Jerusalem desolate.  From a positive viewpoint, we find that the spreading of wings can represent:

 

Salvation / Protection that God provides

 

Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself.

(Exodus 19:4)

 

Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

(Psalms 17:8)

 

How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

(Psalms 36:7)

 

To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

(Psalms 57:1)

 

I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.

(Psalms 61:4)

 

Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.

(Psalms 63:7)

 

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

(Psalms 91:4)

 

And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.

(Isaiah 8:8)

 

And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.

(Ruth 2:11)

 

Thou shalt also take thereof a few in number, and bind them in thy skirts.

(Ezekiel 5:3)

 

Now when I passed by thee, and looked upon thee, behold, thy time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over thee, and covered thy nakedness: yea, I sware unto thee, and entered into a covenant with thee, saith the Lord GOD, and thou becamest mine.

(Ezekiel 16:8)

 

If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No.

(Haggai 2:12)

 

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

(Zechariah 8:23)

 

But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

(Mal 4:2)

 

God rides on the wings of the spirit

 

And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.

(2 Samuel 22:11)

 

And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind.

(Psalms 18:10)

 

Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:

(Psalms 104:3)

 

Cherubims and Seraphim

 

The seraphims in the representation of God had 6 wings (Is 6:2).  The four living creatures in Ezekiel had 4 wings (Eze 1:6-11, 23-25, Eze 3:13, Eze 10:5-2, 16-19, etc.).

 

The cherubims that were above the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies each had 2 overspreading wings (1 Ki 6:24-27, 2 Chr 3:11-13, Ex 25:20, etc.).

 

Hebrew Word H83, eber

 

But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

(Isaiah 40:31)

 

And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.

(Psalms 55:6)

 

And say, Thus saith the Lord GOD; A great eagle with great wings, longwinged, full of feathers, which had divers colours, came unto Lebanon, and took the highest branch of the cedar:

(Ezekiel 17:3, long-winded – H83, eber, wings – H3671)

 

 

Verses on covering the face

 

Summary

 

  • Wings cover the Face
    • Face covered symbolizes shame – Ps 44:15, Ps 69:7, Jer 51:51, Gen 38:15, Gen 9:23,  Eze 7:18, 12:6, 12
    • Jesus Christ was shamed on the cross – Heb 12:2, Psa 22:6-8, Psa 69:19-20; Isa 49:7, Isa 50:6-7, Isa 53:3; Mat 26:67-68, Mat 27:27-31, Mat 27:38-44; Mar 9:12; Luk 23:11, Luk 23:35-39

Covering the face of shame

 

And Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it upon both their shoulders, and went backward, and covered the nakedness of their father; and their faces were backward, and they saw not their father’s nakedness.

(Genesis 9:23)

 

When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.

(Genesis 38:15)

 

But the king covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son!

(2 Samuel 19:4)

 

Then the king returned out of the palace garden into the place of the banquet of wine; and Haman was fallen upon the bed whereon Esther was. Then said the king, Will he force the queen also before me in the house? As the word went out of the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face.

(Esther 7:8)

 

The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?

(Job 9:24)

 

Because he covereth his face with his fatness, and maketh collops of fat on his flanks.

(Job 15:27)

 

My confusion is continually before me, and the shame of my face hath covered me,

(Psalms 44:15)

 

Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.

(Psalms 69:7)

 

Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.

(Isaiah 6:2)

 

Therefore will I discover thy skirts upon thy face, that thy shame may appear.

(Jeremiah 13:26)

 

We are confounded, because we have heard reproach: shame hath covered our faces: for strangers are come into the sanctuaries of the LORD’S house.

(Jeremiah 51:51)

 

They shall also gird themselves with sackcloth, and horror shall cover them; and shame shall be upon all faces, and baldness upon all their heads.

(Ezekiel 7:18)

 

In their sight shalt thou bear it upon thy shoulders, and carry it forth in the twilight: thou shalt cover thy face, that thou see not the ground: for I have set thee for a sign unto the house of Israel.

(Ezekiel 12:6)

 

And the prince that is among them shall bear upon his shoulder in the twilight, and shall go forth: they shall dig through the wall to carry out thereby: he shall cover his face, that he see not the ground with his eyes.

(Ezekiel 12:12)

 

Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.

(Nahum 3:5)

 

And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

(Mark 14:65)

 

Jesus Christ was put to shame on the Cross

 

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

(Hebrews 12:2)

 

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

(Psalms 22:6-8)

 

But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, He trusted on the LORD that he would deliver him: let him deliver him, seeing he delighted in him.

(Psalms 22:6-8)

 

Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee. Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

(Psalms 69:19-20)

 

Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, and his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful, and the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee.

(Isaiah 49:7)

 

I gave my back to the smiters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair: I hid not my face from shame and spitting. For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

(Isaiah 50:6-7)

 

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

(Isaiah 53:3)

 

Then did they spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands, Saying, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

(Matthew 26:67-68)

 

Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe. And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! And they spit upon him, and took the reed, and smote him on the head. And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off from him, and put his own raiment on him, and led him away to crucify him.

(Matthew 27:27-31)

 

Then were there two thieves crucified with him, one on the right hand, and another on the left. And they that passed by reviled him, wagging their heads, And saying, Thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking him, with the scribes and elders, said, He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. The thieves also, which were crucified with him, cast the same in his teeth.

(Matthew 27:38-44)

 

And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought.

(Mark 9:12)

 

And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.

(Luke 23:11)

 

And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God. And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

(Luke 23:35-39)

 

Uncovered shining face is salvation / light of the Gospel

 

The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

(Numbers 6:25)

 

Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.

(Psalms 31:16)

 

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, A Psalm or Song. God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah.

(Psalms 67:1)

 

Turn us again, O God, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

(Psalms 80:3)

 

Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

(Psalms 80:7)

 

Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.

(Psalms 80:19)

 

And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.

(Psalms 104:15)

 

Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

(Psalms 119:135)

 

Who is as the wise man? and who knoweth the interpretation of a thing? a man’s wisdom maketh his face to shine, and the boldness of his face shall be changed.

(Ecclesiastes 8:1)

 

Now therefore, O our God, hear the prayer of thy servant, and his supplications, and cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake.

(Daniel 9:17)

 

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

(Matthew 17:2)

 

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

(2 Corinthians 4:6)

 

Verses on Uncovering the feet

 

Summary

 

  • Wings cover the Feet
    • Feet uncovered on holy ground – Ex 3:5, Josh 5:15, Acts 7:33
    • Jesus came to earth (covered his feet with shoes)
    • He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose. (John 1:27)

 

And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.

(Ruth 3:4)

 

And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

(Ruth 3:7)

 

Shoes – walking in the wilderness of the world (pilgrims)

 

And thus shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the LORD’S passover.

(Exodus 12:11)

 

And I have led you forty years in the wilderness: your clothes are not waxen old upon you, and thy shoe is not waxen old upon thy foot.

(Deuteronomy 29:5)

 

Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.

(Deuteronomy 33:25)

 

And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.

(Joshua 9:5)

 

And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.

(Joshua 9:13)

 

Moreover thou knowest also what Joab the son of Zeruiah did to me, and what he did to the two captains of the hosts of Israel, unto Abner the son of Ner, and unto Amasa the son of Jether, whom he slew, and shed the blood of war in peace, and put the blood of war upon his girdle that was about his loins, and in his shoes that were on his feet.

(1 Kings 2:5)

 

How beautiful are thy feet with shoes, O prince’s daughter! the joints of thy thighs are like jewels, the work of the hands of a cunning workman.

(Song of Solomon 7:1)

 

None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:

(Isaiah 5:27)

 

And your tires shall be upon your heads, and your shoes upon your feet: ye shall not mourn nor weep; but ye shall pine away for your iniquities, and mourn one toward another.

(Ezekiel 24:23)

 

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes;

(Amos 2:6)

 

That we may buy the poor for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes; yea, and sell the refuse of the wheat?

(Amos 8:6)

 

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

(Luke 15:22)

 

Shoes – a picture of that which is low

 

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

(Matthew 3:11)

 

And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose.

(Mark 1:7)

 

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

(Luke 3:16)

 

He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe’s latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

(John 1:27)

 

And as John fulfilled his course, he said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose.

(Acts 13:25)

 

Shoes – Sign of Confirmation

 

Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel.  Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe. (Ruth 4:7-8)

 

Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.

(Psalms 60:8)

 

Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe; over Philistia will I triumph.

(Psalms 108:9)

 

Shoes taken off on holy ground

 

And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.

(Exodus 3:5)

 

Then shall his brother’s wife come unto him in the presence of the elders, and loose his shoe from off his foot, and spit in his face, and shall answer and say, So shall it be done unto that man that will not build up his brother’s house.  And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed.

(Deuteronomy 25:9-10)

 

And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

(Joshua 5:15)

 

Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground.

(Acts 7:33)

 

Barefoot – How a Christian is to Walk following Christ

 

Forbear to cry, make no mourning for the dead, bind the tire of thine head upon thee, and put on thy shoes upon thy feet, and cover not thy lips, and eat not the bread of men.

(Ezekiel 24:17)

 

And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.

(2 Samuel 15:30)

 

At the same time spake the LORD by Isaiah the son of Amoz, saying, Go and loose the sackcloth from off thy loins, and put off thy shoe from thy foot. And he did so, walking naked and barefoot.

(Isaiah 20:2)

 

And the LORD said, Like as my servant Isaiah hath walked naked and barefoot three years for a sign and wonder upon Egypt and upon Ethiopia;

(Isaiah 20:3)

 

So shall the king of Assyria lead away the Egyptians prisoners, and the Ethiopians captives, young and old, naked and barefoot, even with their buttocks uncovered, to the shame of Egypt.

(Isaiah 20:4)

 

Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

(Matthew 10:10)

 

Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.

(Luke 10:4)

 

And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

(Luke 22:35)

 

Feet – subjection / that which is in contact with the created earth

 

And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

(Genesis 3:15)

 

But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

(Hebrews 1:13)

 

Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

(Hebrews 2:8-15)

 

From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

(Hebrews 10:13)

 

For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

(Acts 2:34-35)

 

The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?

(Matthew 22:44)

 

For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

(Psalms 8:5-6)

 

A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

(Psalms 110:1-2)

 

And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

(Ephesians 1:22)

 

Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.

(1 Corinthians 15:24-27)

 

The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

(Isaiah 60:14)

 

Feet cannot be moved – security in Christ (to walk in His way)

 

Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.

(Psalms 17:5)

 

For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me.

(Psalms 38:15-16)

 

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

(Psalms 40:2)

 

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.

(Psalms 121:3)

 

Hind’s feet

 

The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

(Habakkuk 3:19)

 

God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet: and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.

(2 Samuel 22:33-37, see also Ps 18:32-34))

 

That which takes one on a path

 

NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

(Psalms 119:105)

 

For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.

(Proverbs 1:16)

 

Their feet run to evil, and they make haste to shed innocent blood: their thoughts are thoughts of iniquity; wasting and destruction are in their paths.

(Isaiah 59:7)

 

Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

(Proverbs 4:26)