מָכוֹן (ma.khon)
ma.khon
foundation
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 16 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun mākôn refers to a fixed, established place or foundation. In the Hebrew Bible, it describes something solid and immovable, whether that is a physical base for a structure or a stable position for a person. The word appears sixteen times, with significant usage in 1 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and the Psalms.
Its meaning shifts slightly depending on context. When applied to buildings, it denotes the literal foundation stone or footing that holds a temple or palace together (1 Kings 7:33). In poetic passages like Psalm 75:3, however, it takes on a theological weight, describing God as the one who keeps the earth’s foundations steady during times of crisis.
This contrast between architecture and divine sovereignty is key. While human structures rely on mākôn for physical stability, the Psalms use the term to express confidence in God’s unshakeable order. Translators often render it simply as "foundation" or "base," but the underlying sense is always one of permanence and reliability.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word mākôn describes a solid, immovable foundation. It is the stable base that holds a structure together or keeps it from shaking. When you read about God establishing foundations, it points to His reliable character and unchanging nature.
In Psalm 104:5, we see this word used to describe how God laid the earth’s foundations so it would not be moved. This offers deep comfort when life feels unstable. It reminds us that our hope rests on a firm ground that no crisis can shift.
Whether referring to physical buildings or divine order, mākôn invites trust. You can rely on what is established by God because it endures through every season of change.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] place of4×
- from/ [the] place of3×
- a place2×
- [the] place2×
- place/ its1×
- in/ place/ my1×
- foundations/ its1×
- and/ a place1×
- [the] foundation of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- מְכ֣וֹן3×
- מִ/מְּכ֣וֹן2×
- מְכ֤וֹן2×
- מָכ֧וֹן1×
- מָכ֥וֹן1×
- מִֽ/מְּכוֹן\־1×
- מְכוֹנֽ/וֹ\׃1×
- מְכוֹנֶ֑י/הָ1×
- מְכ֨וֹן1×
- מְכ֥וֹן1×
- וּ/מָכ֥וֹן1×
- בִ/מְכוֹנִ֑/י1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 104:5
He laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be moved forever.
This verse uses the word to describe God’s act of creating a stable earth, emphasizing His power to maintain order and prevent chaos.
-
Psalms 97:2
Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.
Here the term describes righteousness and justice as the base of God’s throne, showing that His rule is built on moral certainty rather than arbitrary power.
-
Ezra 2:68
Some of the heads of fathers’ households, when they came to Yahweh’s house which is in Jerusalem, offered willingly for God’s house to set it up in its place.
The word appears in the context of rebuilding the temple, highlighting the practical need for a secure physical base to restore worship and community life.