Original Word: יָסַד
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: yacad
Pronunciation: yah-sahd'
Phonetic Spelling: (yaw-sad')
KJV: appoint, take counsel, establish, (lay the, lay for a) found(-ation), instruct, lay, ordain, set, X sure
NASB: founded, foundation, laid, established, laid the foundation, appointed, firmly placed
Word Origin: [a primitive root]

1. to set (literally or figuratively)
2. intensively, to found
3. reflexively, to sit down together, i.e. settle, consult

appoint, take counsel, establish, lay the, lay for a foundation, instruct, lay, ordain,

A primitive root; to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e. Settle, consult -- appoint, take counsel, establish, (lay the, lay for a) found(-ation), instruct, lay, ordain, set, X sure.

Word Origin
a prim. root
Definition
to establish, found, fix
NASB Translation
appointed (2), established (4), firmly placed (1), found (1), foundation (6), foundation will be laid (1), foundations i will lay (1), foundations which laid (1), founded (11), given orders (1), laid (5), laid its foundations (1), laid the foundation (3), laid the foundations (1), lay its foundation (1), lay the foundation (1), laying (1), lays the foundation (1), make (1), rebuilding (1), set (1), take counsel (1), took counsel (1).

יָסַד verb establish, found, fix (Late Hebrew id., especially Pi`el; Aramaic יְסַד; perhaps originally fix firm or close; Arabic pillow; verb denominative II.fix as a pillow against one; see lean against, recline, Lane²⁹⁴⁰ Saad Genesis 28:11; in Hebrew usually fix firm so as to found) —

Qal Perfect יָסַד Psalm 104:5; Proverbs 3:19; suffix יְסָדָהּ Psalm 24:2 3t.; 3 feminine singular יָ˜סְדָה Isaiah 48:13; יָסַדְתָּ Psalm 104:8; יָסַ֑֫דְתָּ Psalm 102:26; suffix יְסַדְתּוֺ Habakkuk 1:12; יְסַדְתָּם Psalm 89:12; Psalm 119:152; וִיסַדְתִּיךְ consecutive Isaiah 54:11; Infinitive וִיסוֺד2Chronicles 24:27; לִיסּוֺד2Chronicles 31:7 (see Ges^{§ 69}, 2, R. 1; Baer לְיִסּוֺד); לִיסֹד Isaiah 51:16; יָסְדִי Job 38:4; יָסְדוֺ Ezra 3:12; Participle יִסֵד Isaiah 51:13; Zechariah 12:1 + Isaiah 28:16 (Che^{critical note}, ᵑ0 יִסַּד); — found, establish, with accusative, the earth Psalm 24:2 ("" כונן), compare Psalm 78:69 (object omitted), Psalm 89:12; Psalm 102:26; Psalm 104:5 compare Psalm 89:8 (followed by לְ), Proverbs 3:19; Isaiah 48:13; Job 38:4; Isaiah 51:13,16; Zechariah 12:1, vault of heaven Amos 9:6; of founding the second temple Ezra 3:12, of restoration under Joash, Infinitive יְסוֺד2Chronicles 24:27; metaphor of future Israel Isaiah 54:11; of ׳י, establish the Chaldaean (as his instrument) להוכיח for correction Habakkuk 1:12 ("" שִׁים), his commandments Psalm 119:152; in weakened sense (si vera lectio) יָסַד לְצִיִּים Isaiah 23:13 appoint a city for desert-creatures (on meaning in context, see Di); appoint, fix Ezra 7:9 emended (see יְסֻד); found, begin, heaps of offerings in ׳יs house 2 Chronicles 31:7.

Niph`al Perfect3plural נוֺסְְדוּ Psalm 2:2; Imperfect2masculine singular תִּוָּסֵד Isaiah 44:28; Infinitive הִוָּ˜סְדָהּ Exodus 9:18; הִיָּ˜סְדָם Psalm 31:14; —

1 fix or seat themselves close together sit in conclave Psalm 2:2; Psalm 31:14 ( > Bae from , δμιλιἀ ), but Lag's emendation נוֺעֲדוּ is probably (compare Nehemiah 6:2).

2 be founded, Isaiah 44:28 (temple), Exodus 9:18 (Egypt).

Pi`el Perfect יִסַּד Isaiah 14:32 3t.; יִסְּדָהּ 1 Kings 16:34; יִסַּ֫דְתָּ Psalm 8:3; יִסְּדוּ Zechariah 4:9; Ezra 3:10; Imperfect יְיַסְּדֶנָּה Joshua 6:26; Infinitive לְיַסֵּד 1 Kings 5:31; —

1 found (= Qal), followed by active, city Joshua 6:26 (JE), 1 Kings 16:34, temple 1 Kings 5:31; Zechariah 4:9; Ezra 3:10; Zion Isaiah 14:32; Isaiah 28:16 הִנְנִי יִסַּד (read יֹסֵד; see above)

2 establish Psalm 8:3 followed by עֹז; appoint, ordain (late) 1 Chronicles 9:22 (followed by accusative), Esther 1:8 (absolute)

Pu`al Perfect, יֻסַּד 1 Kings 6:37 2t.; יֻסָּ֑ד Ezra 3:6 Participle מְיסָֻּ֑ד 1 Kings 7:10; מְיסָֻּדִים Songs 5:15; be founded, be laid, of a foundation 1 Kings 6:37; Ezra 3:6; Haggai 2:18; Zechariah 8:9; Participle = substantive foundation 1 Kings 7:10, compare מוסד below; pillars set on bases, simile of legs Songs 5:15.

Hoph`al be founded: Infinitive הוּסַד2Chronicles 3:3; Ezra 3:11; Participle מוּסָּד Isaiah 28:16; — the being founded, founding, ׳עַל הוּסַד בֵּית י Ezra 3:11 because of the founding (laying the foundation) of the house of ׳י; וְאֵלֶּה ׳הוּסַד שְׁלֹמֹה לִבְנוֺת וגו2Chronicles 3:3 and this is (literally these are) the founding of Solomon to build the house of God, i.e. this is the foundation which Solomon laid for building, etc.; Participle מוּסָד מוּסָּד Isaiah 28:16 a foundation founded, i.e. well laid (compare חֵפֶשׂ מְחֻמָּשׂ, חָכָם מְחֻכָּם).

Overview

יַסָּד (yasad) appears about forty-one times across the Hebrew Scriptures, almost always in the Qal stem, describing the purposeful act of laying a secure foundation, whether material, institutional, or redemptive. The word traces a theological thread that binds the opening moment of creation to the consummation of God’s kingdom, revealing the Lord as Architect, Covenant-Keeper, and Restorer, and calling His people to build on what He has firmly set in place.

Divine Foundations in Creation

From the outset, yasad highlights God’s sovereign craftsmanship.
• Psalm 24:2: “For He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.”
• Psalm 104:5: “He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved.”
• Proverbs 3:19 parallels creation with divine wisdom: “By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations; by understanding He set the heavens in place.”

These texts present the physical cosmos as permanently fixed by the Lord’s decree, an unassailable platform for the unfolding of redemptive history (compare Psalm 102:25; Isaiah 48:13). Because creation’s foundation is immovable, the believer’s confidence in God’s governance is likewise unshakable.

Foundations of Covenant and Nation

Yasad is used to describe how the Lord establishes His covenant people and their secure position among the nations. In 1 Samuel 2:8 He “sets them among princes,” echoing the Exodus imagery of a people planted in the land. Isaiah 51:16 merges creation and covenant: “that I may plant the heavens and found the earth, and say to Zion, ‘You are My people.’” The nation’s existence is as deliberate an act as the laying of the earth’s bedrock.

Foundations in Worship and Temple Construction

Human builders reflect God’s pattern when they “lay the foundation” of the sanctuary.
• 1 Kings 6:37; 2 Chronicles 3:3 detail Solomon’s original foundation work.
• Ezra 3:6, 10 and Zechariah 4:9 celebrate the post-exilic restoration: “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house, and his hands will complete it.”

Each project underscores that worship is rooted in what God has first established; human labor succeeds only because His purpose stands (Psalm 127:1).

Foundations of Society, Justice, and Leadership

Yasad also frames social and political stability. The king’s throne, legal decisions, and city walls must rest on a God-given footing; otherwise, disaster follows. Hiel’s rebuilding of Jericho “laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn” (1 Kings 16:34), illustrating the peril of ignoring divine word (Joshua 6:26). By contrast, righteous leadership is tasked with building on truth and equity (Psalm 89:14, conceptually related even when another Hebrew root is used).

Foundations of Zion and Messianic Hope

Isaiah binds the term to eschatological promise.
• Isaiah 14:32: “The LORD has founded Zion, and the oppressed among His people will find refuge in her.”
• Isaiah 28:16 gives the prophetic cornerstone: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone, a firm foundation; the one who believes will never be shaken.”

The New Testament identifies this stone with Jesus Christ (1 Peter 2:6), showing that yasad ultimately looks forward to the Messiah whose finished work secures an eternal dwelling for God’s people.

Personal and Pastoral Applications

Scripture uses yasad figuratively for God’s work in individual hearts. Job 38:4-6 challenges human pride: “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?”—implying that only the Creator can lay a trustworthy foundation in a life. Proverbs 24:3-4 (conceptually) teaches that a house—and by extension a family—is “built … established” by wisdom and understanding that come from the Lord. Ministry thus calls believers to examine whether they are building on the once-for-all foundation laid by God in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11).

Historical Notes and Ministry Insights

1. Frequency and distribution: roughly one-third of the occurrences relate to cosmic creation, one-third to sacred architecture, and the rest to covenant or eschatological themes, showing that every realm—natural, ecclesial, or personal—rests on God’s initiating act.
2. Continuity: From Genesis to Revelation the Bible maintains a single storyline—what God founds cannot be overthrown. This consistency reinforces the reliability of prophecy and promise.
3. Pastoral exhortation: The verb’s range urges believers to participate in God’s restorative building program—whether erecting literal structures for worship or discipling lives on the foundation of the gospel—always mindful that success depends on alignment with what God has already yasad.

בְּהִוָּסְדָ֣ם בְּיָסְד֔וֹ בְּיָסְדִי־ בהוסדם ביסדו ביסדי־ הִוָּסְדָ֖ה הוּסַ֣ד הוּסַ֥ד הוסד הוסדה וְיִסְּד֥וּ וְיֹסֵ֣ד וְלִיסֹ֣ד וִיסַדְתִּ֖יךְ וּמְיֻסָּ֕ד ויסד ויסדו ויסדתיך וליסד ומיסד יְיַסְּדֶ֔נָּה יְסַדְתָּֽם׃ יְסַדְתּֽוֹ׃ יְסָדָ֑הּ יְסָדָ֣הּ יְסָדָ֥הּ יִסְּדָ֗הּ יִסַּ֣ד יִסַּ֥ד יִסַּ֪דְתָּ֫ יָ֣סְדָה יָֽסַד־ יָסַ֑דְתָּ יָסַ֬דְתָּ יֻסַּ֖ד יֻסַּ֥ד יֻסַּ֨ד יֻסָּֽד׃ ייסדנה יסד יסד־ יסד׃ יסדה יסדת יסדתו׃ יסדתם׃ לְיִסּ֑וֹד לְיַסֵּ֥ד ליסד ליסוד מְיֻסָּדִ֖ים מוּסְדֹ֤ות מוּסָּ֔ד מוסד מוסדות מיסדים נֽוֹסְדוּ־ נוסדו־ תִּוָּסֵֽד׃ תוסד׃ bə·hiw·wā·sə·ḏām bə·yā·sə·ḏî- bə·yā·sə·ḏōw behivvaseDam bəhiwwāsəḏām beyasedi bəyāsəḏî- beyaseDo bəyāsəḏōw hivvaseDah hiw·wā·sə·ḏāh hiwwāsəḏāh hū·saḏ huSad hūsaḏ lə·yas·sêḏ lə·yis·sō·wḏ leyasSed ləyassêḏ leyisSod ləyissōwḏ mə·yus·sā·ḏîm meyussaDim məyussāḏîm mū·sə·ḏō·wṯ mūs·sāḏ museDot mūsəḏōwṯ musSad mūssāḏ nō·ws·ḏū- nosdu nōwsḏū- tivvaSed tiw·wā·sêḏ tiwwāsêḏ ū·mə·yus·sāḏ umeyusSad ūməyussāḏ veliSod veyisseDu veyoSed visadTich wə·lî·sōḏ wə·yis·sə·ḏū wə·yō·sêḏ wəlîsōḏ wəyissəḏū wəyōsêḏ wî·saḏ·tîḵ wîsaḏtîḵ yā·saḏ- yā·saḏ·tā yā·sə·ḏāh yasad yāsaḏ- yaSadta yāsaḏtā Yasedah yāsəḏāh yə·sā·ḏāh yə·saḏ·tām yə·saḏ·tōw yə·yas·sə·ḏen·nāh yesaDah yəsāḏāh yesadTam yəsaḏtām yesadTo yəsaḏtōw yeyasseDennah yəyassəḏennāh yis·saḏ yis·saḏ·tā yis·sə·ḏāh yisSad yissaḏ yisSadta yissaḏtā yisseDah yissəḏāh yus·saḏ yus·sāḏ yusSad yussaḏ yussāḏInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts