English · KJV
H3247

יְסוֹד

yᵉçôwd /yes-ode'/ Ask about this word
Rootfrom יָסַד
Meaninga foundation (literally or figuratively)
KJV usagebottom, foundation, repairing

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of yᵉçôwd — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word yᵉçôwd, represented by H3247, serves as a core term for foundation. It appears 20 times across 20 unique verses. Derived from a root meaning to found or establish, H3247 is used literally for the base of a structure, figuratively for the basis of a person's life, and specifically to denote the bottom of the altar or the act of repairing.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical usage, H3247 frequently appears in contexts of divine judgment, where the destruction of a city's foundations signifies total overthrow. The LORD is described as devouring the foundations of Zion in his anger Lamentations 4:11, and enemies cry to "Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation thereof" Psalms 137:7. Figuratively, it contrasts the fleeting nature of the wicked with the stability of the righteous, who are described as "an everlasting foundation" Proverbs 10:25. A distinct and critical use is found in Leviticus, where blood from sacrifices is repeatedly poured at the bottom of the altar to sanctify it and make reconciliation (Leviticus 8:15, Leviticus 4:7).

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the meaning and context of H3247:

  • H2040 hâraç (to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy): This word is often used to describe the action taken against a foundation. In prophecies of judgment, foundations H3247 are said to be "broken down" (hâraç) Ezekiel 30:4.
  • H1540 gâlâh (to denude... to reveal... discover): This term describes the exposure of a foundation during its destruction. Judgment is complete when the foundation thereof "shall be discovered" (gâlâh) (Ezekiel 13:14, Micah 1:6).
  • H1818 dâm (blood): This is central to the ritual use of H3247. In sacrificial law, the blood is poured at the "bottom" H3247 of the altar Exodus 29:12.
  • H4196 mizbêach (an altar): The altar is the specific object whose "bottom" H3247 is referenced throughout the purification and atonement rituals in Leviticus Leviticus 9:9.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H3247 is demonstrated in its varied applications.

  • Symbol of Total Judgment: The destruction of a city's foundations represents an irreversible and complete act of divine judgment, leaving nothing remaining (Ezekiel 13:14, Lamentations 4:11).
  • Basis of Atonement: In the tabernacle rituals, the bottom of the altar is the place where the blood, the agent of atonement, is poured out. This makes it the foundational point of contact for sanctification and reconciliation Leviticus 8:15.
  • Foundation of Righteousness: The word is used metaphorically to establish that a person's moral character is their true source of stability. While the wicked are swept away, the righteous have a foundation that is "everlasting" Proverbs 10:25.

Summary

In summary, H3247 conveys a concept far deeper than a simple architectural base. It represents the very core of a structure, a city, or a person's life. Whether it is being ritually consecrated with blood at the altar, torn down in an act of judgment, or established as the everlasting nature of the righteous, yᵉçôwd illustrates the profound biblical theme that what lies at the base determines ultimate stability or ruin.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun and a verb across 20 occurrences, inflected in 5 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • יְסוֹד
  • יְסוֹד
  • יְסוֹדֹתֶי
  • יסֹדֶי
  • יסוֹד

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H2040 הָרַס a primitive root; to pull down or in pieces, break, destroy; beat down, break (down, through), destroy, overthrow, pluck H1540 גָּלָה a primitive root; to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripp H1818 דָּם from דָּמַם (compare אָדַם); blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of H4196 מִזְבֵּחַ from זָבַח; an altar; altar.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 20 verses across 10 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Leviticus (8 verses); never once in the other 29.

1
Exodus
8
Leviticus
2
2 Chronicles
2
Job
1
Psalms
1
Proverbs
1
Lamentations
2
Ezekiel
1
Micah
1
Habakkuk

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.