Topical Bible: Foundations

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In biblical literature, the concept of "foundations" is both literal and metaphorical, often symbolizing strength, stability, and the underlying support of a structure or belief system. The term is used in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, reflecting both physical and spiritual dimensions.

Old Testament Usage

1. Physical Foundations: In the Old Testament, foundations are frequently mentioned in the context of construction, particularly in relation to the building of the temple and other significant structures. For instance, in 1 Kings 5:17, Solomon's temple is described: "At the king’s command they removed from the quarry large blocks of high-grade stone to provide a foundation of dressed stone for the temple." This highlights the importance of a solid foundation for the physical integrity of sacred spaces.

2. Creation: The foundations of the earth are a recurring theme, emphasizing God's sovereignty and creative power. Job 38:4-6 states, "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its foundations set, or who laid its cornerstone?" Here, the foundations of the earth symbolize the order and intentionality of God's creation.

3. Metaphorical Foundations: The Psalms often use the imagery of foundations to convey spiritual truths. Psalm 11:3 asks, "When the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" This rhetorical question underscores the chaos and instability that ensue when moral and spiritual foundations are undermined.

New Testament Usage

1. Christ as the Foundation: In the New Testament, the concept of foundations takes on a profound spiritual significance with the advent of Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:11 declares, "For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ." This passage identifies Christ as the essential foundation of the Christian faith, upon which all teachings and beliefs are built.

2. Apostolic Foundations: The apostles and prophets are described as foundational to the church, with Christ as the cornerstone. Ephesians 2:19-20 states, "Therefore you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the cornerstone."

3. Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders: Jesus uses the metaphor of foundations in His teachings to illustrate the importance of obedience to His words. In Matthew 7:24-25 , He says, "Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock." This parable emphasizes the necessity of a strong spiritual foundation based on adherence to Christ's teachings.

Eschatological Foundations

In the book of Revelation, the imagery of foundations is used to describe the New Jerusalem. Revelation 21:14 notes, "The wall of the city had twelve foundations bearing the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb." This depiction signifies the eternal and unshakeable nature of God's kingdom, built upon the testimony and witness of the apostles.

Conclusion

Throughout the Bible, foundations serve as a powerful symbol of strength, stability, and divine order. Whether referring to the physical foundations of the earth, the spiritual foundation of Christ, or the eschatological foundations of the New Jerusalem, the concept underscores the importance of a solid base in both the physical and spiritual realms.

Greek

2310b. themelios -- of or for a foundation
... Word Origin from tithemi Definition of or for a foundation NASB Word Usage foundation
(11), foundation stone (1), foundation stones (2), foundations (2). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2310b.htm - 5k

Strong's Hebrew

2338. chut -- to repair (foundations)
... 2337, 2338. chut. 2339 . to repair (foundations). Transliteration: chut
Phonetic Spelling: (khoot) Short Definition: repairing. ...
/hebrew/2338.htm - 6k

3245. yasad -- to establish, found, fix
... found, fix NASB Word Usage appointed (2), established (4), firmly placed (1), found
(1), foundation (6), foundation will be laid (1), foundations i will lay (1 ...
/hebrew/3245.htm - 6k

522c. ammah -- perhaps a holder
... 522b, 522c. ammah. 523 . perhaps a holder. Transliteration: ammah Short
Definition: foundations. Word Origin perhaps from the same ...
/hebrew/522c.htm - 5k

4144. mosad -- foundation
... 4143, 4144. mosad. 4145 . foundation. Transliteration: mosad Phonetic Spelling:
(mo-sawd') Short Definition: foundations. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/4144.htm - 6k

4145. musadah -- foundation, appointment
... 4144, 4145. musadah. 4146 . foundation, appointment. Transliteration: musadah
Phonetic Spelling: (moo-saw-daw') Short Definition: foundations. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/4145.htm - 6k

787. osh -- a foundation
... 786, 787. osh. 788 . a foundation. Transliteration: osh Phonetic Spelling:
(ohsh) Short Definition: foundations. Word Origin (Aramaic ...
/hebrew/787.htm - 6k

8356. shathah -- foundation, stay (of society)
... shathah or shath. 8357 . foundation, stay (of society). Transliteration: shathah
or shath Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-thaw') Short Definition: foundations. ...
/hebrew/8356.htm - 6k

4349. makon -- a fixed or established place, foundation
... Word Origin from kun Definition a fixed or established place, foundation NASB Word
Usage area (1), dwelling place (1), foundation (3), foundations (1), place ...
/hebrew/4349.htm - 6k

3247. yesod -- foundation, base
... Word Origin from yasad Definition foundation, base NASB Word Usage base (9), foundation
(5), foundations (4), thigh (1). bottom, foundation, repairing. ...
/hebrew/3247.htm - 6k

Library

The City that Hath Foundations
... HYMNS THE CITY THAT HATH FOUNDATIONS. "I ... saw the Holy City, New Jerusalem.""
Revelation 21:2. JM Meyfart, 1642. tr., Emma Frances Bevan, 1899. Jerusalem! ...
/.../the city that hath foundations.htm

The Foundations of Good Citizenship.
... STUDY X THE FOUNDATIONS OF GOOD CITIZENSHIP. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS."Ex.20:1-17. Parallel
Readings. Hist. Bible I, 194-198. Prin. of Politics, Chap. II. ...
/.../kent/the making of a nation/study x the foundations of.htm

Of the [Temple And] Cities that were Built by Herod and Erected ...
... Of The [Temple And] Cities That Were Built By Herod And Erected From The Very
Foundations; As Also Of Those Other Edifices That Were Erected By Him; And What ...
/.../chapter 21 of the temple.htm

The Heresy of Pelagius and Coelestius Aims at the Very Foundations ...
... Book II. On Original Sin. Chapter 28 [XXIV.]"The Heresy of Pelagius and
Coelestius Aims at the Very Foundations of Our Faith. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 28 xxiv the heresy of.htm

Psalm LXXXVII.
... 2. "Her foundations are upon the holy hills" (ver.1). The Psalm had as yet said
nothing of the city: it begins thus, and says, "Her foundations are upon the ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxvii.htm

The New Jerusalem.
... three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them,
the twelve names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the new jerusalem.htm

Things that Cannot be Shaken
... We will all acknowledge, I think, that if our souls are to rest in peace
and comfort, it can only be on unshakable foundations. ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 11 things that cannot.htm

The Economic Challenge to the Church
... the side of the latter. Efficient social and religious institutions cannot
be built on poor economic foundations. So long as a section ...
/.../church cooperation in community life/chapter iii the economic challenge.htm

What the Immense Creation Teaches
... 'If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth ... The heavens cannot
be measured, no plummet can reach to the deep foundations of the earth. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/what the immense creation teaches.htm

A Description of the Temple.
... The lowest part of this was erected to the height of three hundred cubits, and in
some places more; yet did not the entire depth of the foundations appear, for ...
/.../chapter 5 a description of 2.htm

Thesaurus

Foundations (49 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Foundations (49 Occurrences). Acts 16:26 Suddenly
there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations...
/f/foundations.htm - 21k

Build (242 Occurrences)
... 3. Foundations: Foundations of fortifications were usually on rock which was sometimes
squared for a bed, but more often leveled up with small stones. ...
/b/build.htm - 45k

Building (249 Occurrences)
... 3. Foundations: Foundations of fortifications were usually on rock which was sometimes
squared for a bed, but more often leveled up with small stones. ...
/b/building.htm - 47k

Shook (33 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV). Acts 16:26 when suddenly there was such a violent
shock of earthquake that the prison shook to its foundations. ...
/s/shook.htm - 16k

Shaken (62 Occurrences)
... Acts 16:26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the
prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's ...
/s/shaken.htm - 24k

Sheshbazzar (4 Occurrences)
... It is possible that Sheshbazzar came to Jerusalem in the time of Cyrus and laid
the foundations, and that Zerubbabel came later in the time of Darius Hystaspis ...
/s/sheshbazzar.htm - 10k

Foundation (82 Occurrences)
... 6:1, etc.). In Psalm 11:3, "if the foundations be destroyed," the Hebrew word
is shath. In Jeremiah 50:15, the Revised Version (British ...
/f/foundation.htm - 36k

Quake (23 Occurrences)
... The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because he was angry. ... The foundations
also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, because he was angry. ...
/q/quake.htm - 12k

Quaked (13 Occurrences)
... The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because he was angry. ... The foundations
also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, because he was angry. ...
/q/quaked.htm - 10k

Shake (68 Occurrences)
... The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because he was angry. ... The foundations
also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, because he was angry. ...
/s/shake.htm - 28k

Resources

What is the Judeo-Christian ethic? | GotQuestions.org

What is foundationalism? | GotQuestions.org

What is the difference between a disciple and apostle? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus

Concordance

Foundations (49 Occurrences)

Acts 16:26
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were loosened.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ephesians 3:17
I pray that Christ may make His home in your hearts through your faith; so that having your roots deep and your foundations strong, in love, you may become mighty to grasp the idea,
(WEY)

Hebrews 1:10
It is also of His Son that God says, "Thou, O Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of Thy hands.
(WEY NIV)

Hebrews 11:10
For he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
(WEB KJV WEY ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Revelation 21:14
The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Revelation 21:19
The foundations of the city's wall were adorned with all kinds of precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire; the third, chalcedony; the fourth, emerald;
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV NIV)

Deuteronomy 32:22
For a fire is kindled in my anger, Burns to the lowest Sheol, Devours the earth with its increase, and sets the foundations of the mountains on fire.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Joshua 6:26
And Joshua charged the people with an oath at that time, saying: 'Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city, even Jericho; with the loss of his first-born shall he lay the foundation thereof, and with the loss of his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.'
(See NIV)

1 Samuel 2:8
He raises up the poor out of the dust. He lifts up the needy from the dunghill, To make them sit with princes, and inherit the throne of glory. For the pillars of the earth are Yahweh's. He has set the world on them.
(See NIV)

2 Samuel 22:8
Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because he was angry.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

2 Samuel 22:16
Then the channels of the sea appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare by the rebuke of Yahweh, At the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

1 Kings 7:10
And the foundations were of costly stones, great stones, stones of ten cubits and stones of eight cubits.
(DBY NIV)

1 Kings 16:34
In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho; with Abiram his first-born he laid the foundation thereof, and with his youngest son Segub he set up the gates thereof; according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke by the hand of Joshua the son of Nun.
(See NAS NIV)

2 Chronicles 3:3
Now these are the foundations which Solomon laid for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was sixty cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.
(WEB JPS ASV NAS)

Ezra 4:12
Be it known to the king, that the Jews who came up from you are come to us to Jerusalem; they are building the rebellious and the bad city, and have finished the walls, and repaired the foundations.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezra 5:16
Then came the same Sheshbazzar, and laid the foundations of the house of God which is in Jerusalem: and since that time even until now has it been in building, and yet it is not completed.
(WEB JPS ASV YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezra 6:3
In the first year of Cyrus the king, Cyrus the king made a decree: Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the house be built, the place where they offer sacrifices, and let its foundations be strongly laid; its height sixty cubits, and its breadth sixty cubits;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS NIV)

Job 4:19
How much more them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, who are crushed before the moth!
(See NIV)

Job 22:16
Who were snatched away before their time, whose foundation was poured out as a stream;
(See NAS NIV)

Job 38:4
"Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS)

Job 38:6
Whereupon were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone,
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS)

Psalms 11:3
If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 18:7
Then the earth shook and trembled. The foundations also of the mountains quaked and were shaken, because he was angry.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 18:15
Then the channels of waters appeared. The foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, Yahweh, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 82:5
They don't know, neither do they understand. They walk back and forth in darkness. All the foundations of the earth are shaken.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 102:25
Of old Thou didst lay the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the work of Thy hands.
(See NIV)

Psalms 104:5
He laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be moved forever.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Psalms 137:7
Remember, O LORD, against the children of Edom the day of Jerusalem; who said: 'Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof.'
(See RSV NIV)

Proverbs 3:19
The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens.
(See NIV)

Proverbs 8:29
when he gave to the sea its boundary, that the waters should not violate his commandment, when he marked out the foundations of the earth;
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 6:4
The foundations of the thresholds shook at the voice of him who called, and the house was filled with smoke.
(WEB ASV DBY NAS RSV)

Isaiah 16:7
Therefore shall Moab howl for Moab, every one shall howl: for the foundations of Kirhareseth shall ye mourn; surely they are stricken.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Isaiah 19:10
And the pillars of Egypt'shall be broken in pieces; all they that work for hire'shall be grieved in soul.
(See JPS YLT)

Isaiah 24:18
It will happen that he who flees from the noise of the fear will fall into the pit; and he who comes up out of the midst of the pit will be taken in the snare; for the windows on high are opened, and the foundations of the earth tremble.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 40:21
Haven't you known? Haven't you heard, yet? Haven't you been told from the beginning? Haven't you understood from the foundations of the earth?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Isaiah 44:28
That saith of Cyrus: 'He is My shepherd, and shall perform all My pleasure'; even saying of Jerusalem: 'She shall be built'; and to the temple: 'My foundation shall be laid.'
(See NIV)

Isaiah 48:13
Yea, My hand hath laid the foundation of the earth, and My right hand hath spread out the heavens; when I call unto them, they stand up together.
(See NIV)

Isaiah 51:13
and have forgotten Yahweh your Maker, who stretched forth the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth; and fear continually all the day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he makes ready to destroy? and where is the fury of the oppressor?
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 51:16
I have put my words in your mouth, and have covered you in the shadow of my hand, that I may plant the heavens, and lay the foundations of the earth, and tell Zion,'You are my people.'"
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 54:11
"You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors, and lay your foundations with sapphires.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV)

Isaiah 58:12
Those who shall be of you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 31:37
Thus says Yahweh: If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, then will I also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, says Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Jeremiah 50:15
Shout against her round about: she hath given her hand: her foundations are fallen, her walls are thrown down: for it is the vengeance of the LORD: take vengeance upon her; as she hath done, do unto her.
(KJV WBS YLT)

Jeremiah 51:26
They shall not take of you a stone for a corner, nor a stone for foundations; but you shall be desolate for ever, says Yahweh.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS)

Lamentations 4:11
Yahweh has accomplished his wrath, he has poured out his fierce anger; He has kindled a fire in Zion, which has devoured its foundations.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 30:4
A sword shall come on Egypt, and anguish shall be in Ethiopia, when the slain shall fall in Egypt; and they shall take away her multitude, and her foundations shall be broken down.
(WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Ezekiel 41:8
I saw also that the house had a raised base all around: the foundations of the side chambers were a full reed of six great cubits.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV)

Micah 1:6
Therefore I will make Samaria like a rubble heap of the field, like places for planting vineyards; and I will pour down its stones into the valley, and I will uncover its foundations.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Micah 6:2
Hear, you mountains, Yahweh's controversy, and you enduring foundations of the earth; for Yahweh has a controversy with his people, and he will contend with Israel.
(WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)

Subtopics

Foundations

Related Terms

Founded (42 Occurrences)

Foundations (49 Occurrences)

Ever-living (20 Occurrences)

Dealing (36 Occurrences)

Corner-stone (10 Occurrences)

Cornerstone (13 Occurrences)

Rules (160 Occurrences)

Hindered (12 Occurrences)

Foundation (82 Occurrences)