SHOES, SANDALS
The footwear of the Hebrews was generally leather sandals, which were tied with straps.
Before entering a room they took off their sandals, the same as when eating (cf. Luke 7:38). In rich houses, a slave or servant removed the guests’ shoes (cf. Mark 1:7).
People were required to take off their shoes before entering a holy place (Ex. 3:5; Josh. 5:15). The description of footwear is not given in the list of priestly garments, which allows us to assume that the priests carried out their functions in the sanctuary barefoot.
The deprivation of sandals and all superfluous clothing marked the sad condition of the captives (Isa. 20:2), and was also a sign of affliction (2 Sam. 15:30).
Wearing shoes and a turban on a day of mourning was a way to hide pain (Ez. 24:17, 23).
In ancient times in Israel, to demonstrate that a ransom or transaction had taken place, one would take off one’s sandal and give it to the buyer, symbolizing the transfer of ownership (Rt. 4:7, 8). .
But if a man refused to marry his brother’s widow, she would take off his sandal and spit in his face (Deut. 25:9, 10).
Throwing the sandal on some place denoted taking possession of it, or perhaps it refers to making a gesture of ownership, throwing the sandals to the slave in charge of carrying them or cleaning them (Ps. 60: 8).
In the Christian’s panoply, his feet are equipped with the preparation “of the gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:15; cf. Rom. 10:15).