Base
Base
(as a noun) is the rendering in the Auth. Vers. of two Hebrews words:
1. , ken, the foundation or pedestal, e.g. of the laver (q.v.) in the temple- court (foot, Exo 30:18, etc.); then, the base over the ledges (, joints) of the brazen sea (q.v.), in 1Ki 7:29, apparently explained in 1Ki 7:31 as a work’ of the base (), perhaps a pediment-like cornice covering the joints; but the whole description is exceedingly obscure. SEE LEDGE.
2. mekonah’, or , mekunah’, a foot-piece or stand upon which to place the lavers in the temple-service (1Ki 7:27-43, etc.). SEE LAVER.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Base (2)
is the lower part of a pillar, wall, etc.; the division of a column on which the shaft is placed. The Grecian Doric order has no base; but the other classical orders have each their appropriate bases, which are divided into plinth and mouldings, though in some examples the former of these divisions is omitted.
In Middle-Age architecture, the forms and proportions of the various members not being regulated by arbitrary rules as in the classical orders, the same capricious varieties are found in the bases as in all the other features of each of the successive styles. In the Norman style, the mouldings of the base often bear a resemblance to those of the Tuscan order, with a massive plinth which is most commonly square, even though the shaft of the pillar and the moulded part of the base may be circular or octagonal. There is often a second or sub-plinth under the Norman base, the projecting angle of which is chamfered off. In the earlier period of this style the bases generally have but few mouldings, but, as a rule, they increase in numbers and vary in their arrangement as the style advances. There is a very great variety of bases in the Norman style; often in the same building scarcely any two are alike. This seems to be especially the case in the earlier division of the style both in Normandy and in England, and the bases in the two countries are often exactly alike. In Gundulph’s Crypt in Rochester Cathedral this variety of bases is found, and it continues until quite late in the style.
At the commencement of the Early English style the bases differ but little from the Norman, having very frequently a single or double plinth retaining the square form, with leaves springing out of the mouldings lying on the angles. At a later period the plinth commonly takes the same form as the mouldings, and is often made so high as to resemble a pedestal; and there is frequently a second moulding below the principal suite of the base, as at the Temple Church, London. In this style the mouldings of the base sometimes overhang the face of the plinth. The mouldings of the Early English bases do not vary so much as those of the other styles, and those which are most usual approach very nearly to the Attic base. One of the characteristics of early examples of the Early English base is that it will hold water, which is not the case in any other style.
In the Decorated style there is considerable variety in the bases, although they have not generally many mouldings: the plinths, like the mouldings, conform to the shape of the shaft, or they are sometimes made oc tagonal, while the mouldings are circular, and in this case the mouldings overhang the face of the plinth. In some examples, where the shaft of the pillar is circular, the upper member only of the base conforms to it, the other mouldings, as well as the plinth. becoming octagonal. The plinths are often double and of considerable height, the projecting angle of the lower one being worked either with a splay, a hollow, or small moulding. A common suite of mouldings for bases in this style consists of a torus and one or two beads above.
In the Perpendicular style the plinths of the bases are almost ilvariably octagonal and of considerable height, and very frequently double, the projection of the lower one being moulded with a reversed ogee or a hollow. When the shaft is circular. the whole of the mouldings of the base sometimes follow the same form; but sometimes the upper member only conforms to it, the others being made octagonal like the plinth. In clustered pillars ifi which there are small shafts of different sizes, their bases are often on different levels, and consist of diferent mouldings, with one or two members only carried round the pillar, which are commonly those on the upper part of the lower plinth. The characteristic moulding of the Perpendicular base is the reversed ogee, used either singly or doubly: when double there is frequently a bead between them. This moulding, when used for the lower and most prominent member of the base, has the upper angle rounded off, which gives it a peculiar wavy appearance. The mouldings in this style most commonly overhang the face of the plinth.
The above descriptions apply only where a single shaft occurs. In compound piers, which are made up of groups of single pillars, the bases become more complex.
Fuente: Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Base
BASE.To be base is in mod. English to be morally bad, but in AV [Note: Authorized Version.] it is no more than to be of humble birth or lowly position. In the RV [Note: Revised Version.] , however, the word is sometimes used in the sense of morally low, mean, as Deu 13:13.
Fuente: Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible
Base
bas:
(1) Substantive from Latin basis, Greek , basis, a foundation. (a) (, mekhonah): the fixed resting-place on which the lavers in Solomon’s temple were set (1 Ki 7:27-43; 2Ki 16:17; 2Ki 25:13, 2Ki 25:16; 2Ch 4:14; Jer 27:19; Jer 52:17, Jer 52:20; compare Ezr 3:3; Zec 5:11 the American Revised Version, margin). (b) (, ken): pedestal in the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) (1Ki 7:29, 1Ki 7:31) and in the Revised Version (British and American) only (Exo 30:18, Exo 30:28; Exo 31:9; Exo 35:16; Exo 38:8; Exo 39:39; Exo 40:11; Lev 8:11) of the base of the laver of the tabernacle (the King James Version foot). (c) (, yarekh): base of candlestick (the Revised Version (British and American) of Exo 25:31; Exo 37:17) the King James Version shaft. (d) (, yesodh): the Revised Version (British and American) base of altar; the King James Version bottom (Exo 29:12; Exo 38:8; Lev 4:7, Lev 4:18, Lev 4:25, Lev 4:30, Lev 4:34; Lev 5:9; Lev 8:15; Lev 9:9). (e) (, gabh): the Revised Version (British and American) elevation, i.e. basement of altar; the King James Version higher place (Eze 43:13).
(2) Adjective from French bas – low, or Welsh bs – shallow: of lowly birth or station, of voluntary humility and of moral depravity. (a) (, shaphal, , shephal): of David’s self-humiliation (2Sa 6:22): a modest unambitious kingdom (Eze 17:14; Eze 29:14, Eze 29:15 (BDB); Dan 4:17 (the American Standard Revised Version lowest)): compare shephelah = lowland. (b) (, kalah): men of humble birth and station as opposed to the nobles (Isa 3:5). (c) (, bel-shem): nameless, of no account: children of fools, yea, children of base men (Job 30:8). (d) The King James Version men, sons, daughters, children of Belial; literally worthless persons; in the American Standard Revised Version base, except 1Sa 1:16 wicked woman; also the English Revised Version of Deu 13:13, base, which elsewhere retains the King James Version rendering. (e) (, tapeinos): lowly, humble or abject (2Co 10:1); the Revised Version (British and American), lowly; so Paul’s enemies said he appeared when present in the church at Corinth. (f) (, agenes): of low birth, of no account (1Co 1:28): base things of the world. (g) (, agoraos): belonging to the market-place, loafers, worthless characters (Act 17:5): certain lewd fellows of the baser sort; the Revised Version (British and American) certain vile fellows of the rabble.