Description
The foundation was the solid layer on which the wall of a building or the entire building was constructed. Foundations were made of large stones laid side by side.
Translation
In some languages it is possible to describe a typical “foundation” in ancient times as “large stones underneath the walls.” In other languages, however, this may seem to be quite a meaningless type of expression, since foundations are only made secure by driving stakes deep into the ground. Therefore it may be best to describe the function of a foundation by saying “what keeps the walls firm,” “how the walls are made not to move,” or “what goes beneath the walls.”
In many parts of the world it is not customary to build buildings with foundations or from stones or bricks. As a result, the figurative use of “foundation” in the New Testament may pose some difficulties. For these situations “foundation” may be rendered “solid [or, strong] base put down to build a house on,” “base people put down before they build a house made of stone,” or “root of the house.”
JER 50:15: RSV and NRSV render the Hebrew word ’ashwiyoth in this verse as “bulwarks”; NCV, NIV, and CEV have “towers.” GNT leaves it untranslated and notes that the meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain. Commentators disagree concerning the meaning of this word. Some suggest “foundations,” and draw a parallel to the related Aramaic word in EZR 4:12 and EZR 5:16. Others point out that it would be incorrect to speak of foundations as “falling.” For these commentators it would be better to view ’ashwiyoth as a general term referring to the “defenses” of the city.
AMO 9:1: The meaning of the Hebrew word sipim in this verse is uncertain. In Hebrew it is clear that something shakes under the blow, but translations differ considerably concerning what is shaken: “thresholds” (RSV, AT), “lintels” (TOT), “doorjambs” (NAB), “ceiling” (Mft), “whole porch” (NEB), and “foundation” (GNT). The word probably refers to either the foundation or the roof structure. However, this verse gives a picture of the whole building shaking from the roof to the foundation until it collapses. This is what must be made clear, with the particular choice of wording depending on the translation of what follows.