FOOT, a measure consisting of twelve inches. The Hebrews had not properly any such measure; for the Zereth, or half-cubit, contained but ten inches and 2/8 2/9.
In old times it was customary to wash the feet of strangers upon their coming off a Genes. xviii. 4. xix. 2. xxiv. 32.journey, because generally they were barefoot, and wore sandals only, which did not secure them from the dust or dirt. St. Paul 1 Tim. v. 10.enjoins enquiry to be made whether the widows, who were taken into the service of the Church, washed the feet of the Saints, the Faithful. Jesus Christ, to give us an example of humility, washed the feet of his John xiii. 5.Apostles, and thereby taught them to perform all the most humble services for one another.
Feet, in the Style of the sacred Writers, often mean inclinations, affections, propensions, actions, motions. Guide my feet in thy paths; keep thy feet at a distance from evil; the feet of the debauched woman go down to death; let not the feet of pride come upon me; and in another place, I turned my Psal. xxxvi. 11. Psal. cxix. 59. 1 Sam. xxv. 27.feet unto thy testimonies.
To be at any one’s feet, is used for obeying, being in his service, following him. Abigail tells David that the presents which she brought him, were for the young men that walked at his feet; for the soldiers who followed him. Moses says, that the Lord loved his people, and those that sat down at his feet; who heard him, who belonged to him, were instructed in his doctrine. St. Paul says, that he was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel; and many eat at our Saviour’s feet, and heard his word.
In the Hebrew of Deuteronomy, ch. xi. ver. 10. it is said, that the land of Canaan is not like the land of Egypt, where thou sowedst thy seed, and wateredst it with thy foot; that is to say, that Palestine is a country where the rains are not extremely rare, where the dews are plentiful, where there are many springs, rivulets, and brooks, without reckoning the Jordan, which supply the earth with all the moisture that is necessary to its producing fruit; whereas Egypt is a country where there is no river but the Nile, where it never rains, and where the lands which are not within reach to be watered by the inundations of this river, continue parched and barren. To supply this want, ditches are dug, and water distributed throughout the several villages and cantons; there are great struggles who shall first get it, and in this dispute they often come to blows, and fight about it.
But notwithstanding these precautions, there are many places which have no water; and in the course of the year, the places which are nearest to the Nile, require to be watered again in an artificial manner. It is Philo de confusion. linguar. p. 335.done by the help of some machines, which Philo describes after the following manner: It is a wheel which a man turns with the motion of his feet, by ascending successively the several steps which are within it. But as while he is thus continually turning, he cannot keep himself up, he holds a stay in his hands which is not moveable, and this supports him; so that in this work the hands do the office of the feet, and the feet that of the hands; since the hands which should act, are at rest, and the feet which should be at rest, are in action, and give motion to the wheel. This is what Moses means in this place by saying, that in Egypt they water the earth with their feet.