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מוֹסָדָה

𐤌𐤅𐤎𐤃𐤄

môwçâdâh

H4146 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A physical foundation or base upon which a structure rests, especially in architectural contexts; figuratively, a basis or underlying support for something. In poetic and prophetic texts, may denote the cosmic foundations established by deity, such as the foundations of the earth or mountains.

Semantic Range

architectural foundation, base of a building, underlying structure, cosmic foundation (earth, heavens), metaphorical support or basis

Root / Etymology

Derived from the root י-ס-ד (יסד), meaning 'to found, establish, lay a foundation'. The form מוֹסָדָה (môsādāh) is a feminine noun built from the noun מוֹסָד (foundation, base) with a feminine ending, emphasizing the quality or place of being founded.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, מוֹסָדָה primarily appears in poetic or elevated language, especially in Psalms and prophetic literature, where it refers both to literal building foundations (such as temple or city structures) and to the mythic or cosmic foundations of the earth or world, reflecting ancient Israelite cosmology. The word is rare and almost always used in the plural or collective sense, suggesting the solid underpinnings of large, important structures. Related forms include מוֹסֵד (foundation-stone) and יְסוֹד (common term for foundation), but מוֹסָדָה is more poetically charged. Later translations sometimes interpret the word generically as 'foundation', but this can obscure layers of cosmic or theological nuance in its original contexts. In Second Temple and later periods, related nouns evolve in function, but מוֹסָדָה itself is seldom used in post-biblical Hebrew.

Translation Consistency

primary "foundation" 11 occurrences

The SILEX range centers on an underlying base or support—architectural, cosmic, or figurative. ‘Foundation’ is the natural, general English noun that covers both literal building bases and metaphorical/cosmic foundations (it will be inflected to ‘foundations’ where the Hebrew is plural). It matches common usage better than more formal alternatives.

✓ All renderings match approved senses

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

or מֹסָדָה; feminine of מוֹסָד; a foundation; foundation.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

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

Root יסד to found, to establish, to lay a base
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H3245 יָסַד in their being established
H3246 יְסֻד foundation of
H3247 יְסוֹד the foundation
H3248 יְסוּדָה his foundation
H4143 מוּסָד founded base

Word Forms

4 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
H4146-02 מוֹסְדֵ֥י mosedey HNcbpc foundations foundations of foundations of 5
H4146-03 מוֹסְד֥וֹת mosedot HNcbpc foundations foundations of foundations of 4
H4146-01 לְ/מֽוֹסָד֑וֹת lemosadot HR/Ncbpa for foundations to foundations for foundations 1
H4146-04 וּ/מוֹסְדֵ֣י umosedey HC/Ncbpc and the foundations and foundations-of and foundations of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

11 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
H4146-02 Deuteronomy 32:22 מוֹסְדֵ֥י mosedey HNcbpc the foundations foundations of foundations of
H4146-03 2 Samuel 22:8 מוֹסְד֥וֹת mosedot HNcbpc foundations foundations of foundations of
H4146-03 2 Samuel 22:16 מֹסְד֣וֹת mosedot HNcbpc foundations foundations of foundations of
H4146-02 Isaiah 24:18 מ֥וֹסְדֵי mosedey HNcbpc foundations foundations of foundations of
H4146-03 Isaiah 40:21 מוֹסְד֖וֹת mosedot HNcbpc foundations foundations of foundations of
H4146-02 Isaiah 58:12 מוֹסְדֵ֥י mosedey HNcbpc foundations foundations of foundations of
H4146-02 Jeremiah 31:37 מֽוֹסְדֵי mosedey HNcbpc foundations foundations of foundations of
H4146-01 Jeremiah 51:26 לְ/מֽוֹסָד֑וֹת lemosadot HR/Ncbpa for foundations to foundations for foundations
H4146-02 Micah 6:2 מֹ֣סְדֵי mosedey HNcbpc foundations foundations of foundations of
H4146-04 Psalms 18:8 וּ/מוֹסְדֵ֣י umosedey HC/Ncbpc and the foundations and foundations-of and foundations of
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