We begin here with the scripture found in Iyov (Job) discussing the foundations of the earth.
Iyov (Job) 38:4
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Declare, if you have understanding.
The Ivriyt (Hebrew) word used here is yacad (יָסַד) (H3245). This word is based on the idea of founding – like the founding of the nation. If we were to discuss the founding of the nation, we could refer to it generally as the foundation. The verse could say with little difficulty:
Where were you when I founded the earth? Declare if you have understanding.
This word in the English creates a similar confusion to the word generation (i.e.; this generation shall not pass away) where the word is referring to the generative property of the people – the propagation of the seed of Avraham – not my generation. Claiming that a generation is 70 years (or 40 years, or 120 years, and so forth) is nonsense, because that is not what is being discussed. The word means the ability of those people being discussed to have children.
Similarly, we have the same notion with the word foundation. The word foundation means the cumulative total of the things used in the founding. This is so whether you find the root word yacad (יָסַד) (H3245) or its derivative m’yacadah (in the Strong’s mocadah, H4146, derived from H4144, derived from H3245, i.e., yacad).
Let’s review another passage that makes reference of the foundations, only in this occasion using the word mocad’i – the singular form of the plural word mocadah (correctly spelled m’yacadah). We find the original set forth below:
Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 31:37
Thus says YAHUAH; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Yashar’el for all that they have done, says YAHUAH.
Thus saith אָמַר the LORD; יְהֹוָה If heaven שָׁמַיִם above מַעַל can be measured, מָדַד and the foundations מוֹסָדָה of the earth אֶרֶץ searched out חָקַר beneath, מַטָּה I will also cast off מָאַס all the seed זֶרַע of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵל for all that they have done, עָשָׂה saith נְאֻם the LORD. יְהֹוָה (KJVSL)
Jer 31:37 כה kah אמר amer יהוה YAHUAH אם am ימדו y’madva שׁמים shamayim מלמעלה malamalah ויחקרו v’yachaqaru מוסדי m’yacado ארץ eretz למטה l’matah גם gam אני ani אמאס amas בכל b’kole זרע tsarah ישׂראל Yashar’el על al כל kole אשׁר asher עשׂו asho נאם nam יהוה YAHUAH
Jer 31:37 koh Thus amer answered YAHUAH am if ימדו y’medva stretch H4063 שׁמים shamayim heaven מלמעלה malamahalah upper ויחקרו v’y’chaqar’u examine מוסדי m’yacad’u founding ארץ eretz earth למטה l’matah beneath גם gam gather אני ani me אמאס ama’as בכל scorn b’kole in all זרע zerah seed ישׂראל Yashar’el על al over כל kole all אשׁר asher which עשׂו asho make נאם na’um says יהוה YAHUAH
So, the verse is better stated as follows:
Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 31:37
Thus says YAHUAH: If the stretch of heaven can be measured above, and the founding of the earth below, I will also despise all the seed of Yashar’el for all that they have done, says YAHUAH.
Let’s take a look at one more verse, from the Tehilliym (Psalms):
Tehilliym (Psalm) 104:5
Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever.
Ps 104:5 יסד yacad ארץ eretz על al מכוניה makon’oth בל bal תמוט t’mote עולם olam ועד ad
Founding earth upon basis nothing is moved from its course forever in perpetuity.
So, the better statement is as follows:
The founding of the earth is its basis, nothing moves it from its course forever in perpetuity.
I will conclude this article again by pointing to the meaning of the word foundation and the confusion that lies therewith. While we may understand foundation as a word meaning that which we find under a house – a concrete footer – the meaning here is no such a thing, but rather the state or condition of founding. If this can be understood, these verses will become much more understandable.