Skip to content

Skip to table of contents

Toe

Toe

One of the terminal members of the human foot. The Hebrew and Aramaic words used in the Bible for finger refer also, at times, to the toe. (2Sa 21:20; 1Ch 20:6; Da 2:41, 42) In other places the Hebrew word for “thumb” is used also for “big toe.”​—Ex 29:20; Le 8:23, 24; 14:14, 17, 25, 28.

The toes, being important for balance and direction to the body in walking, are referred to in the Scriptures with literal and figurative significance. A custom occasionally practiced to incapacitate a captured enemy for battle was to cut off his thumbs and big toes.​—Jg 1:6, 7.

At the installation of the priesthood in Israel, Moses took some blood of the ram of the installation and put it on the right ear, the right thumb, and the right big toe of Aaron and each of his sons. (Le 8:23, 24) The blood of the sacrifice on the prominent member of the right foot meant that they must point their course and walk unswervingly with the best of their ability in the sacrificial duties of the priesthood. Jesus Christ the great High Priest fulfilled this prophetic type when on earth (Mt 16:21-23), and his underpriests, his spirit-begotten brothers, must follow his steps closely.​—Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:5, 8; Re 20:6.