שָׁת (sha.tah)
sha.tah
foundation
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun shaṯah refers to a foundation or a structural support that keeps something upright. In the Hebrew Bible, it describes the physical base upon which buildings stand, but more importantly, it serves as a metaphor for social and moral stability. When a society lacks this "stay," it becomes unstable and prone to collapse.
This word appears in only two verses, both carrying significant weight. In Psalm 11:3, the psalmist asks what happens when the foundations are destroyed, implying that if the core principles of justice fail, there is nothing left for the righteous to rely on. Similarly, Isaiah 28:16 speaks of a precious cornerstone laid as a foundation, suggesting that true stability comes from a reliable source rather than human effort alone.
The term highlights the idea that endurance depends on what lies beneath. It is not merely about construction but about integrity. Without a solid base, even the strongest structures cannot withstand pressure. This concept reminds readers that lasting peace and order require deep, unshakable roots in truth and righteousness.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word shaṯah points to the hidden base that keeps a structure standing. It is not just about stone or mortar, but about the integrity of what lies beneath. When this foundation is secure, there is stability; when it is gone, even the strongest pillars cannot hold.
In Psalm 11:3, the psalmist asks what happens when these foundations are destroyed. The question reveals a deep trust in God as the ultimate source of order. If the core principles of justice fail, the righteous have nowhere else to turn but to Him. This reminds us that our peace does not depend on external circumstances, but on the unshakable nature of God.
Isaiah 28:16 offers a different angle, describing a precious cornerstone laid by God. True stability comes from relying on this reliable source rather than human effort alone. We can rest in the knowledge that our lives are built on something eternal and faithful, not on shifting sands.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- the/ foundations1×
- foundations/ its1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- שָׁתֹתֶ֖י/הָ1×
- הַ֭/שָּׁתוֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 11:3
If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?
This verse uses shaṯah to ask what remains for the righteous when societal justice collapses, highlighting God as the only remaining anchor.