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.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
or מֹסָדָה; feminine of מוֹסָד; a foundation; foundation.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
יסד (y-s-d) — 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 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4146-02 |
מוֹסְדֵ֥י | mosedey | HNcbpc |
foundations | foundations of | 5 |
H4146-03 |
מוֹסְד֥וֹת | mosedot | HNcbpc |
foundations | foundations of | 4 |
H4146-01 |
לְ/מֽוֹסָד֑וֹת | lemosadot | HR/Ncbpa |
for foundations | to foundations | 1 |
H4146-04 |
וּ/מוֹסְדֵ֣י | umosedey | HC/Ncbpc |
and the foundations | and foundations-of | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
11 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H4146-02 |
Deuteronomy 32:22 | מוֹסְדֵ֥י | mosedey | HNcbpc |
the foundations | foundations of |
H4146-03 |
2 Samuel 22:8 | מוֹסְד֥וֹת | mosedot | HNcbpc |
foundations | foundations of |
H4146-03 |
2 Samuel 22:16 | מֹסְד֣וֹת | mosedot | HNcbpc |
foundations | foundations of |
H4146-02 |
Isaiah 24:18 | מ֥וֹסְדֵי | mosedey | HNcbpc |
foundations | foundations of |
H4146-03 |
Isaiah 40:21 | מוֹסְד֖וֹת | mosedot | HNcbpc |
foundations | foundations of |
H4146-02 |
Isaiah 58:12 | מוֹסְדֵ֥י | mosedey | HNcbpc |
foundations | foundations of |
H4146-02 |
Jeremiah 31:37 | מֽוֹסְדֵי | mosedey | HNcbpc |
foundations | foundations of |
H4146-01 |
Jeremiah 51:26 | לְ/מֽוֹסָד֑וֹת | lemosadot | HR/Ncbpa |
for foundations | to foundations |
H4146-02 |
Micah 6:2 | מֹ֣סְדֵי | mosedey | HNcbpc |
foundations | foundations of |
H4146-04 |
Psalms 18:8 | וּ/מוֹסְדֵ֣י | umosedey | HC/Ncbpc |
and the foundations | and foundations-of |