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מַסַּד

𐤌𐤎𐤃

maççad

H4527 noun

SILEX Entry

Root יe33 to establish, lay a foundation, set up

Definition

A structural base or layer that provides support for a building or edifice; the foundational element upon which other architectural components are constructed. In broader contexts, refers to the act or result of laying a solid groundwork, especially in construction.

Semantic Range

foundation (of a building, altar, wall), base layer, substructure, architectural groundwork

Root / Etymology

From the root יסד (y-s-d), meaning 'to establish, lay a foundation, set up'. מַסַּד is a noun formation denoting the material layer or structure placed first or below, serving as a foundation. The root sense of 'laying a base' is preserved in the noun's meaning.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, מַסַּד appears rarely, typically in architectural or construction-related texts, such as descriptions of the foundations of buildings, altars, or city walls (e.g., in narratives or prophetic literature). Its usage is often literal, focusing on the physical underpinnings of structures, though by extension it can signify the act of establishing something with stability and permanence. The term overlaps in meaning with related nouns (e.g., מוֹסָד, יסוד), but מַסַּד is often reserved for the material component—the constructed layer itself—rather than the abstract concept of 'founding' or establishment. English translations regularly render it as 'foundation', which typically captures its primary meaning but may not convey the technical or material nuance present in the Hebrew. In later Hebrew or post-biblical contexts, related terms assume figurative senses, but biblical מַסַּד remains chiefly architectural in focus.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from יָסַד; a foundation; foundation.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

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

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

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4527-01 וּ/מִ/מַּסָּד֙ umimasad HC/R/Ncmsa even from the foundation and from foundation-base 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 total occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4527-01 1 Kings 7:9 וּ/מִ/מַּסָּד֙ umimasad HC/R/Ncmsa even from the foundation and from foundation-base
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