יְסוּדָה

a foundation

Definition

The Hebrew noun יְסוּדָה (yᵉçûwdâh) refers specifically to a foundation, the established base upon which something is built. It is the feminine form of the more common masculine noun יְסֻד (yᵉçud, H3246), sharing the same core meaning. In its sole biblical occurrence in Psalm 87:1, it describes the literal, physical foundation of Zion, the city of God. This usage emphasizes the stability, permanence, and intentional establishment of God's holy dwelling place.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 87:1: 'His foundation is in the holy mountains.' Here, it is used in a poetic and prophetic context to declare the divinely established nature of Zion (Jerusalem). The singular usage, paired with 'holy mountains,' poetically underscores the city's unique and secure status as founded by God Himself, rather than by human effort.

Etymology

יְסוּדָה is the feminine form of the masculine noun יְסֻד (yᵉçud, H3246), meaning 'foundation.' Both derive from the root verb יָסַד (yâçad, H3245), which means 'to found, establish, or lay a foundation.' This root family conveys the act of setting something firmly in place, whether a physical structure (1 Kings 5:17) or an institution like the earth (Psalm 24:2). The feminine form יְסוּדָה carries the same concrete meaning but appears only in this specific poetic instance.

Semantic Range

Though used only once, יְסוּדָה is theologically significant as it describes the foundation of Zion. This connects directly to the biblical theme of God as the ultimate founder and establisher of His kingdom and dwelling place. It highlights that the security and significance of Jerusalem—and by extension, God's redemptive plan centered there—rests not on human achievement but on God's sovereign, creative act. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches the reading of Psalm 87 by emphasizing the divine origin and unshakable nature of God's city, a precursor to the New Testament concept of the church being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).

In the ancient Near East, a secure foundation was critical for the longevity of important structures like temples, palaces, and city walls. Laying a foundation was a significant, ceremonial act often associated with divine blessing or patronage. The declaration that Zion's foundation is 'in the holy mountains' would resonate with this cultural understanding, asserting that Jerusalem's stability and authority come from its divine Founder, Yahweh, setting it apart from other cities founded by human kings and gods.

יְסֻד (yᵉçud, H3246) — The masculine form of 'foundation,' used more frequently (e.g., Ezra 3:6, 12). מוֹסָד (môwçâd, H4143) — Another noun for 'foundation,' often used in plural for the bases or foundations of the earth (e.g., 2 Samuel 22:8, Psalm 18:7).

Word Details

Scripture References