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יְסֻד

𐤉𐤎𐤃

yᵉçud

H3246 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יסד to found, establish, lay a foundation

Definition

A foundation, that which is laid as a base for a structure, either literally (physical foundation of a building) or figuratively (a beginning, basis, or origin of something). The term denotes the underlying support for a construction, but can also refer metaphorically to the initial cause or starting point of an action, event, or institution.

Semantic Range

foundation (physical or figurative), base of a structure, site of origin, beginning (as point of establishment), that which is set or established

Root / Etymology

The term יְסֻד derives from the root יסד, meaning 'to found, establish, lay a foundation.' In the nominal form, יְסֻד represents something foundational or established, reflecting the result or product of the act of founding. It is a passive participle (or noun with passive force) indicating 'that which has been founded' or 'laid as foundation.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

יְסֻד is a rare, poetic term most notably attested in Psalm 87:1, where it refers to the sacred foundations of Zion. In biblical usage, it is often figurative, referring to foundational acts or principles rather than only the physical bases of structures. Unlike the more common מוֹסָד (mosad), which can refer to 'foundation' in a broader architectural or institutional sense, יְסֻד emphasizes the act of being founded or that which has been set as a basis. In context, the metaphor extends to the origins of people, events, or institutions. Later translations sometimes render it as 'beginning' or 'origin,' but its core imagery relates to the concept of being firmly set or established. The sense of 'commencement' is secondary to the sense of 'foundation.' Its usage in the Hebrew Bible is mostly confined to poetic or liturgical contexts, reflecting both literal and symbolic dimensions. In translation traditions, the term is sometimes glossed as 'foundation' or 'beginning,' but the full range includes both physical and figurative applications.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from יָסַד; a foundation (figuratively, i.e. beginning); [idiom] began.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

יסד (y-s-d) — to found, establish, lay a foundation

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3245 יָסַד in their being established
H3247 יְסוֹד the foundation
H3248 יְסוּדָה his foundation
H4143 מוּסָד founded base
H4144 מוֹסָד foundational bases of

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H3246-01 יְסֻ֔ד yesud HNcmsc began foundation of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H3246-01 Ezra 7:9 יְסֻ֔ד yesud HNcmsc began foundation of
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