Hebrews 10:13

KJV

From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

KJV (with Strong's)

From henceforth {G3063} expecting {G1551} till {G2193} his {G846} enemies {G2190} be made {G5087} his {G846} footstool {G5286}{G4228}.

Complete Jewish Bible

from then on to wait until his enemies be made a footstool for his feet.

Berean Standard Bible

Since that time, He waits for His enemies to be made a footstool for His feet,

American Standard Version

henceforth expecting till his enemies be made the footstool of his feet.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Hebrews 10:13 presents a profound declaration of Christ's post-resurrection status and future triumph, serving as a theological capstone to the book's arguments concerning His superior priesthood and once-for-all sacrifice. Having completed His redemptive work and taken His seat at the right hand of God, Christ now confidently awaits the full and final subjugation of all His adversaries, a divine decree that assures His ultimate and undeniable dominion over every opposing force.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [Hebrews 10:12](/hebrews/10-12 "Hebrews 10:12 - Christ's Single Sacrifice and Exaltation"), which states that Christ, "after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God." The act of sitting signifies the absolute completion and perfection of His atoning work, standing in stark contrast to the Levitical priests who continuously stood ministering and offering repeated, ineffective sacrifices ([Hebrews 10:11](/hebrews/10-11 "Hebrews 10:11 - The Ineffectiveness of Levitical Sacrifices")). Verse 13 then clarifies the purpose and implication of this seated posture: Christ is in a state of confident expectation, anticipating the full manifestation of His victory. This passage directly alludes to the foundational messianic prophecy found in [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord's Anointed at God's Right Hand"), a verse frequently cited throughout the New Testament to affirm Christ's divine authority, eternal priesthood, and ultimate dominion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The imagery of placing enemies under one's feet as a "footstool" was a powerful and widely understood symbol of total conquest and absolute subjugation in the ancient Near East. Victorious kings would often literally place their foot on the neck or back of a defeated foe, or depict such an act in monuments, to signify complete dominance, humiliation, and the irreversible defeat of their adversaries. This idiom, deeply embedded in the cultural understanding of power and triumph, is drawn directly from [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - A Royal Psalm of David"), a royal psalm that was universally interpreted as messianic by Jewish tradition. The author of Hebrews, writing to Jewish Christians, leverages this familiar and potent imagery to assure them of Christ's certain and ultimate victory, providing comfort and steadfastness amidst persecution and the temptation to revert to Judaism.
* **Key Themes:** The verse significantly contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Hebrews. Foremost is the **Superiority of Christ's Priesthood and Sacrifice**, emphasizing that His single, perfect offering has rendered all previous sacrifices obsolete and His work complete ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10-14 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's Perfect Sacrifice")). This leads to the theme of **Christ's Exaltation and Authority**, as His sitting at God's right hand signifies His supreme reign as both King and High Priest, having accomplished salvation and entered His rest ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ's Exaltation and Sustaining Power")). The phrase "till his enemies be made his footstool" underscores the **Divine Sovereignty and Ultimate Triumph** of God's plan, assuring believers that Christ's victory is not merely a hope but a guaranteed outcome. Finally, it highlights the **Confident Expectation** of Christ Himself, who, having secured the victory through His death and resurrection, now awaits the full and final manifestation of His dominion over all opposing forces, including spiritual foes, human opposition, and ultimately death itself ([1 Corinthians 15:25-26](/1_corinthians/15-25-26 "1 Corinthians 15:25-26 - Christ's Reign and the Defeat of Death")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **expecting (Greek, _ekdéchomai'_):** This word signifies an active, confident waiting or anticipation, rather than a passive idleness. It implies a certainty of outcome, a looking forward to something that is sure to happen. In the context of Christ, it speaks of His divine assurance in the Father's plan for the complete subjugation of all opposition.
* **enemies (Greek, _echthrós'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to hate," this term refers to those who are hateful or hostile, adversaries. In this context, it encompasses all forces that oppose God's will and Christ's kingdom, including spiritual powers, human rebellion, and even death itself, as identified in other New Testament passages.
* **footstool (Greek, _hypopódion_ / _poús'_):** The word `hypopódion` (footstool) is a compound of `hypó` (under) and `poús` (foot). It refers to something placed under the feet. As a metaphor, especially drawn from the ancient Near East, it powerfully symbolizes complete conquest, utter subjugation, and the absolute humiliation of defeated adversaries. For enemies to be made a footstool means their power is utterly broken, and they are brought into complete submission to the victor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"From henceforth expecting":** This phrase emphasizes the present state of Christ following His completed work and ascension. "From henceforth" (G3063, _loipón_) points to the period after His single, perfect sacrifice and subsequent seating at God's right hand. Christ is not merely waiting idly but is in a posture of active, confident anticipation (G1551, _ekdéchomai_), assured of the Father's sovereign plan unfolding. This highlights the "already" aspect of His victory—He has already triumphed—and His confident gaze towards the "not yet" of its full manifestation.
* **"till his enemies be made his footstool":** This clause reveals the specific object of Christ's expectation: the complete and final subjugation of all His adversaries. The phrase "be made his footstool" (G5087, _títhēmi_ combined with G5286, _hypopódion_) employs a powerful ancient idiom for total conquest and absolute dominion. It signifies not just defeat, but a humiliating and irreversible subjugation where all opposition is utterly crushed and brought under His authority. This includes all spiritual and earthly powers that stand against God's kingdom, culminating in the final defeat of death itself.

#### Literary Devices
Hebrews 10:13 powerfully employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological truth. The most prominent is the **Metaphor** of the "footstool," which vividly illustrates the absolute and humiliating subjugation of Christ's enemies. This is not merely a figure of speech but a direct **Allusion** to [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Messianic King"), a foundational messianic prophecy. By drawing on this well-known Old Testament text, the author grounds Christ's present reign and future triumph in the prophetic word, reinforcing His identity as the promised Messiah. The **Imagery** evoked by a king placing his foot on a conquered foe is one of total, undeniable victory and supreme authority, assuring the readers of Christ's ultimate dominion. Furthermore, the concept of "expecting" conveys a sense of divine **Purposeful Waiting**, highlighting that Christ's current seated position is not passive but an active, confident anticipation of a divinely guaranteed outcome, underscoring God's sovereign control over history and the ultimate triumph of His Son.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Hebrews 10:13 encapsulates the profound theological truth of Christ's completed redemptive work and His ongoing, yet not fully realized, reign. Having offered the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice, Christ has ascended to the right hand of God, signifying His supreme authority and rest from His atoning labor. His "expecting" until His enemies are made His footstool speaks to the "already but not yet" dynamic of God's kingdom: the decisive victory over sin and death has been secured through the cross and resurrection, yet the full manifestation and enforcement of that victory over all opposing powers are still unfolding in history, culminating in His glorious return. This verse assures believers that despite present struggles and the visible persistence of evil, Christ is sovereignly enthroned, confidently overseeing the inevitable subjugation of all His foes, guaranteeing the ultimate triumph of God's righteous purposes.

* [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord's Anointed at God's Right Hand")
* [1 Corinthians 15:25-26](/1_corinthians/15-25-26 "1 Corinthians 15:25-26 - Christ's Reign Until All Enemies are Defeated, Including Death")
* [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation and Universal Lordship")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Hebrews 10:13 offers immense comfort and a steadfast foundation for faith in the life of a believer. It reminds us that our Savior is not merely a historical figure or a distant deity, but a reigning King who has already secured the decisive victory over sin, death, and all spiritual adversaries. His current posture of confident expectation assures us that no enemy, visible or invisible, can ultimately thwart God's sovereign plan or His Son's ultimate triumph. This truth empowers us to face present trials, spiritual warfare, and the apparent prosperity of evil with unwavering hope, knowing that Christ is on the throne, orchestrating all things towards the full manifestation of His dominion. It calls us to live with the same confident expectation, trusting that God will bring all things into submission under Christ's feet, and to participate in His mission, knowing that we are on the winning side. Our perseverance is rooted in His finished work and guaranteed future.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding Christ's "confident expectation" impact your own sense of hope and patience in waiting for God's promises to be fulfilled in your life or in the world?**
* **What "enemies" (spiritual, personal, societal) do you currently face, and how does the assurance of Christ's ultimate victory over all enemies empower you to confront them?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge you to live more boldly for Christ, knowing that He is already enthroned and will ultimately subjugate all opposition?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean for Christ's "enemies to be made his footstool"?**

Answer: This phrase, drawn from [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - A Messianic Prophecy"), is an ancient Near Eastern idiom symbolizing complete and utter subjugation. For enemies to be made a "footstool" means they are totally conquered, their power is broken, and they are brought into absolute submission and humiliation under the victor's authority. In the context of Christ, it signifies His ultimate and undeniable triumph over all forces that oppose God's will and His kingdom, including sin, death, spiritual powers, and human rebellion. It assures believers that His victory is comprehensive and final.

**If Christ is "expecting" this outcome, does it mean His victory is not yet complete?**

Answer: Christ's victory is complete in terms of His atoning work on the cross and His resurrection, which decisively defeated sin and death ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). His "expecting" (Greek, _ekdéchomai_) is not a passive waiting for an uncertain outcome, but a confident anticipation of the *full manifestation* and *enforcement* of a victory already secured. He has already ascended and taken His seat at the right hand of God ([Hebrews 10:12](/hebrews/10-12 "Hebrews 10:12 - Christ's Exaltation")), signifying His completed work and supreme authority. The "not yet" refers to the historical unfolding and final consummation of His reign, when every knee will bow and every tongue confess His Lordship ([Philippians 2:10-11](/philippians/2-10-11 "Philippians 2:10-11 - Universal Confession of Christ's Lordship")), and the last enemy, death, will be destroyed ([1 Corinthians 15:26](/1_corinthians/15-26 "1 Corinthians 15:26 - The Defeat of Death")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Hebrews 10:13 finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus, who is the ultimate King and High Priest. Having offered Himself as the perfect, once-for-all sacrifice for sins ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Single Sacrifice")), Jesus ascended to the right hand of God the Father, a position of supreme authority and honor ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ's Exaltation and Sustaining Power")). His current state of "expecting till his enemies be made his footstool" directly fulfills the messianic prophecy of [Psalm 110:1](/psalm/110-1 "Psalm 110:1 - The Lord's Anointed at God's Right Hand"), which is repeatedly cited in the New Testament to affirm Jesus' divine Lordship and ultimate triumph ([Acts 2:34-35](/acts/2-34-35 "Acts 2:34-35 - Peter's Sermon on Pentecost, Citing Psalm 110:1")). This verse assures us that while Christ's decisive victory over sin and death was secured at the cross and resurrection ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")), His reign is ongoing, and He is presently exercising His authority to bring all things into submission. The final consummation of this subjugation will occur at His glorious return, when He will put all enemies under His feet, even death itself ([1 Corinthians 15:25-26](/1_corinthians/15-25-26 "1 Corinthians 15:25-26 - Christ's Reign Until All Enemies are Defeated, Including Death")), demonstrating that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission and Christ's Authority")). Thus, Hebrews 10:13 points to the present reality of Christ's enthronement and the certain future of His complete and universal dominion.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Hebrews 1:13

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

Psalms 110:1

¶ A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Luke 20:43

Till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

1 Corinthians 15:25

For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.

Mark 12:36

For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, The LORD said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.

Acts 2:35

Until I make thy foes thy footstool.

Matthew 22:44

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