mo.sa.dah denotes underlying bases of the earth, heavens, mountains, or built structures in Scripture.

The attested use most often concerns the underlying bases of large created features—earth, heavens, and mountains—especially when they tremble, are exposed, or are beyond exploration. A smaller cluster concerns foundations associated with rebuilding and stones used in construction.

1. Underlying bases of created features · dominant

   Plural construct forms occur with the heavens in 2 Samuel 22:8, mountains in Deuteronomy 32:22, and the earth in Isaiah 24:18; the APB renders these clauses with foundations that tremble or are kindled. In 2 Samuel 22:16 the world’s foundations are laid bare, while Isaiah 40:21 and Jeremiah 31:37 refer to the earth’s foundations as objects of understanding or exploration.

   2 Samuel 22:82 Samuel 22:16Deuteronomy 32:22Isaiah 24:18Isaiah 40:21Jeremiah 31:37
2. Bases raised or supplied in building · occasional

   In Isaiah 58:12, the plural construct form appears in the promise that ancient ruins will be rebuilt and that the foundations of many generations will be raised up. Jeremiah 51:26 uses a plural absolute form in the statement that no stone will be taken for a corner or for foundations.

   Isaiah 58:12Jeremiah 51:26

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly presents the relevant clauses with “foundations” of the earth, heavens, world, mountains, or construction. In Psalm 18:8 and Psalm 18:16, however, the supplied APB verses do not visibly include a corresponding English expression, so the translation does not consistently isolate the term.