The Foundation of the World
The expression "foundation of the world" rendered in versions of the Bible at least 10 times, is understood by many, as the "creation of the physical earth".
Is this a correct understanding?
Foundation
The Greek word commonly translated "foundation", is katabolé (καταβολή), which means "a laying down".
Strong's Concordance
[the] foundation
καταβολῆς (katabolēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2602: From kataballo; a deposition, i.e. Founding; figuratively, conception.
World
The Greek word kosmos (κόσμος), rendered "world" in the Bible, at least 186 times, generally (99% of the time) refers to the inhabitants of the physical earth.
This can easily be seen in a number of verses.
For example, Job 34:13, makes a distinction between the earth, and the world.
However, some may argue against this, so let's consider the word usage in the book that uses this word the most times - The Gospel of John.
John uses the Greek word kosmos 78 times, and in all cases, the word does not refer to the physical earth, or globe.
Consider John 1:9-10
9 This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him.
In saying the "world did not know him", John let's us know what world the light came into, and what world came into being through him... that this is the world of mankind, and not the physical earth, as some think.
This fact is evident throughout John's Gospel, even in the most known text in the Bible - John 3:16
Foundation of the World
Hence, the rendering "foundation of the world", simply put... is, the laying down - a deposition, i.e. Founding; figuratively, conception - of the world of mankind.
Conclusion
The world of mankind began at Acts 17:26.
However, the Bible highlights two aspects of this world.
The world that is not from the Father, but is controlled by Satan. 1 John 2:15-17; 1 John 5:19
The foundation of the world which includes righteous seed. Luke 11:50, 51
So, when reading the 10 scriptures - Matthew 13:35; Matthew 25:34; Luke 11:50; John 17:24; Ephesians 1:4; Hebrews 4:3; Hebrews 9:26; 1 Peter 1:20; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 17:8, I hope this is of help.
The expression "foundation of the world" rendered in versions of the Bible at least 10 times, is understood by many, as the "creation of the physical earth".
Is this a correct understanding?
Foundation
The Greek word commonly translated "foundation", is katabolé (καταβολή), which means "a laying down".
Strong's Concordance
katabolé: a laying down
Original Word: καταβολή, ῆς, ἡ
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: katabolé
Phonetic Spelling: (kat-ab-ol-ay')
Definition: a laying down
Usage: (a) foundation, (b) depositing, sowing, deposit, technically used of the act of conception.
[the] foundation
καταβολῆς (katabolēs)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2602: From kataballo; a deposition, i.e. Founding; figuratively, conception.
World
The Greek word kosmos (κόσμος), rendered "world" in the Bible, at least 186 times, generally (99% of the time) refers to the inhabitants of the physical earth.
This can easily be seen in a number of verses.
For example, Job 34:13, makes a distinction between the earth, and the world.
However, some may argue against this, so let's consider the word usage in the book that uses this word the most times - The Gospel of John.
John uses the Greek word kosmos 78 times, and in all cases, the word does not refer to the physical earth, or globe.
Consider John 1:9-10
9 This was the true Light that, coming into the world, enlightens every person. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through Him, and yet the world did not know Him.
In saying the "world did not know him", John let's us know what world the light came into, and what world came into being through him... that this is the world of mankind, and not the physical earth, as some think.
This fact is evident throughout John's Gospel, even in the most known text in the Bible - John 3:16
Foundation of the World
Hence, the rendering "foundation of the world", simply put... is, the laying down - a deposition, i.e. Founding; figuratively, conception - of the world of mankind.
Conclusion
The world of mankind began at Acts 17:26.
However, the Bible highlights two aspects of this world.
The world that is not from the Father, but is controlled by Satan. 1 John 2:15-17; 1 John 5:19
The foundation of the world which includes righteous seed. Luke 11:50, 51
So, when reading the 10 scriptures - Matthew 13:35; Matthew 25:34; Luke 11:50; John 17:24; Ephesians 1:4; Hebrews 4:3; Hebrews 9:26; 1 Peter 1:20; Revelation 13:8; Revelation 17:8, I hope this is of help.
