Foot-washing was a very common practice in ancient times, since all roadways were generally regular old dusty dirt . . . with an added bonus. Folks all wore sandals of some fashion, but those nearly bare feet, combined with often hours of travel, resulted in quite filthy feet indeed.

Keep in mind, of course, in those days, people weren’t driving Toyotas, Fords, Chevys or Subarus, replete with their toxic emissions. No, they were driving camels, oxen, sheep, donkeys and goats, replete with their toxic emissions! Such transportation and walking cargo did not “hold it” until the next gas station. The animals relieved themselves as they moved, which was on the very highway on which everyone else was traveling.

This means that those designer sandals did nothing but keep stones from piercing the soles of their wearers’ feet, failing to protect them from the literal filth on the ground. While the sandals would keep such stuff from squishing through their toes (nice and steamy in the early morning), it didn’t keep it off their feet.

So when people came to their own or another’s abode, how did they keep such junk from being transplanted into their home? Well, typically, they’d simply remove their shoes and wash their own feet before going inside. But if there were household servants present, then they would be tasked with the job of washing guests’ feet. Sometimes that same servant that was awarded the responsibility could then get up and go prepare a meal. And this courtesy extended to any visitor of the home, whether strange or familiar, for it was important that the filth of the world not contaminate their dwelling place.