Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  5000 Humanity  »  5200 Human civilisation  »  5317 foundation

The solid base on which a secure structure may be built; used chiefly for the base of the temple. It is used figuratively of Jesus Christ and the apostles and prophets as the secure foundation on which the church is built. Obedience to the teaching of Jesus Christ is the true foundation of Christian living.

The place of foundations in building

1 Kings 5:17

Jericho rebuilt:

Joshua 6:26; 1 Kings 16:34

Solomon builds the temple:

1 Kings 6:37; Kings 7:10; 2 Chronicles 3:3; Corinthians 8:16 Ezra 3:3,11-12; Ezra 4:12 restoring the walls of Jerusalem; Ezra 5:16; Ezra 6:3; Job 4:19; Isaiah 44:28; Ezekiel 41:8; Haggai 2:18; Zechariah 4:9; Zechariah 8:9; Acts 16:26

Destruction of foundations is an indication of divine judgment

Lamentations 4:11 See also Deuteronomy 32:22; 2 Samuel 22:16; Jeremiah 51:25-26; Ezekiel 13:14; Ezekiel 30:4; Micah 1:6

The foundation of the church

Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 3:11 See also Isaiah 28:16

The apostles and prophets

Romans 15:20; 1 Corinthians 3:10; Ephesians 2:19-20

The church as the foundation of God's truth

1 Timothy 3:14-15 See also 2 Timothy 2:19

Obedience as a secure foundation

Matthew 7:24-27 pp Luke 6:46-49 See also Job 22:15-18; 1 Corinthians 3:12-15; 1 Timothy 6:18-19

The foundation of the earth

Psalm 102:25 See also 1 Samuel 2:8; Job 38:4; Psalm 18:7,15; Psalm 24:1-2; Psalm 82:5; Proverbs 8:22-31; Isaiah 48:13; Isaiah 51:13,16; Micah 6:2; Zechariah 12:1; Hebrews 1:10

The foundations of the city of God

Hebrews 11:10 See also Revelation 21:14,19

Figurative use of foundation

God himself as the foundation

Isaiah 33:5-6

The foundation of God's throne

Psalm 89:14 See also Psalm 97:2

The need for a firm foundation in the Christian life

Matthew 7:24-27; Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 2:19-22; Hebrews 6:1-2; 1 Peter 2:4-5

See also

1155  God, truthfulness
2421  gospel, historical foundation
4354  rock
5207  architecture
5240  building
5269  cornerstone
5340  house
7024  church, nature of
7467  temple, Solomon's
7706  apostles
7772  prophets
8241  ethics, basis of