מוֹסָדָה (mo.sa.dah)
mo.sa.dah
foundation
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun mosadah is a variant spelling of the more common word for foundation, mosad (H4144). In the Hebrew Bible it appears only four times, primarily in the prophetic books of Jeremiah and Isaiah, as well as in Second Samuel. It refers to the base or groundwork upon which a structure rests, providing stability and support.
Its usage is concrete, describing the physical foundation of buildings or walls. For instance, in Isaiah 28:16, it describes the cornerstone laid by God as a sure foundation. The term emphasizes permanence and reliability, contrasting with unstable ground. Though rare, its meaning aligns closely with the standard term for foundation, reinforcing the idea of something established firmly.
Translators typically render mosadah as "foundation" or "groundwork," capturing its role in supporting what is built above it. The word’s limited occurrence suggests it may have been used for stylistic variation or specific contextual emphasis rather than introducing a new concept. Its presence in key prophetic texts highlights the importance of stability in God’s plans.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word mosadah points to the hidden base that holds everything up. In ancient construction, this was the solid rock or deep trench where walls began. Without it, even the tallest building would collapse under its own weight. This imagery helps us see how God establishes stability in our lives. When we feel shaken by circumstances, we can remember that true security comes from what is laid deep and firm.
Scripture uses this concrete image to describe God’s reliability. In Isaiah 40:21, the prophet asks if we understand things from the foundations of the earth. This reminds us that God’s plans are not built on shifting sand but on His unchanging nature. We do not need to fear instability when our hope rests in Him.
For your daily faith, this means you can trust the groundwork God has laid. You may not see it every day, but it supports your spiritual life. Let this assurance bring peace as you navigate challenges. Your foundation is secure because it is rooted in God’s faithful character.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] foundations of3×
- for/ foundations1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מוֹסְד֥וֹת1×
- מוֹסְד֖וֹת1×
- מֹסְד֣וֹת1×
- לְ/מֽוֹסָד֑וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
II Samuel 22:16
Then the channels of the sea appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare by Yahweh’s rebuke, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
This verse shows the word describing the deep, hidden roots of the world that are exposed by God's power, emphasizing His absolute control over creation.
-
Isaiah 40:21
Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? Haven’t you been told from the beginning? Haven’t you understood from the foundations of the earth?
Here the term grounds the prophet's argument for God's eternal nature, reminding readers that divine wisdom exists from the very start of earthly structures.
-
Jeremiah 51:26
They won’t take a cornerstone from you, nor a stone for foundations; but you will be desolate forever,” says Yahweh.
The word appears in a judgment oracle where Babylon is denied even the stones for its foundations, symbolizing total and permanent desolation.