### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word yᵉçûwdâh (`{{H3248}}`) is a feminine noun derived from the verbal root yāsad (יָסַד), which means "to found," "to lay a foundation," or "to establish." As a noun, yᵉçûwdâh specifically denotes "a foundation," "a base," or "the groundwork." Its semantic range is quite focused, primarily referring to the literal structural base of an object or building. The feminine form may subtly emphasize the *thing itself* as the foundation, rather than the act of founding. It is closely related to the masculine noun yᵉsôd (`{{H3247}}`), which also means "foundation" or "base."
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term yᵉçûwdâh (`{{H3248}}`) appears a limited number of times in the Hebrew Bible, specifically within the Pentateuch, and consistently refers to the base of the altar.
* **Exodus 29:12**: "And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar." Here, yᵉçûwdâh designates the "bottom" or "base" of the altar, a crucial part of the consecration ritual for Aaron and his sons. The pouring of blood at the base signifies a complete and foundational offering.
* **Leviticus 4:7, 18, 25, 30, 34**: These verses all describe the sin offering ritual, where the priest is commanded to pour the remaining blood of the sacrificial animal "at the bottom [yᵉçûwdâh] of the altar of burnt offering." This consistent instruction emphasizes the altar's base as the designated location for the final disposition of the atoning blood, signifying its full application and the complete surrender of the life offered.
* **Leviticus 5:9**: In the context of a trespass offering, similar instructions are given: "And he shall sprinkle of the blood of the sin offering upon the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be wrung out at the bottom [yᵉçûwdâh] of the altar: it is a sin offering." This reiterates the yᵉçûwdâh's role in the sacrificial system.
In all occurrences, yᵉçûwdâh refers to the physical, structural base of the altar, highlighting its importance in the precise execution of the divinely ordained sacrificial rituals.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary lexical relative of yᵉçûwdâh is the verbal root yāsad (יָסַד), meaning "to found," "to establish," or "to lay a foundation" (e.g., [[Ezra 3:10]], [[Isaiah 14:32]]). This root conveys the idea of creating something firm and enduring. The masculine noun yᵉsôd (`{{H3247}}`), also meaning "foundation" or "base," is conceptually identical and appears in broader contexts, such as the foundation of a wall or a building (e.g., [[1 Kings 5:17]], [[Isaiah 28:16]]). Other related concepts include bānāh (בָּנָה, "to build") and mûsād (מוּסָד, "foundation," "base"), which contribute to the semantic field of establishment and stability. While yᵉçûwdâh itself is used literally, the broader concept of "foundation" often extends metaphorically in scripture to denote essential principles, divine decrees, or the very beginning of creation (e.g., "foundation of the world" in [[Psalm 8:2]]).
### Theological Significance
Though yᵉçûwdâh (`{{H3248}}`) is used in a strictly literal sense for the base of the altar, its consistent placement within the Levitical sacrificial system imbues it with profound theological significance. The altar itself was the central point of Israel's worship and reconciliation with God, representing the very foundation of their covenant relationship.
The pouring of blood at the yᵉçûwdâh of the altar is a critical detail in the ritual. Blood, representing life ([[Leviticus 17:11]]), was poured out at the most fundamental part of the altar, signifying the complete dedication of the life offered and the full application of the atoning sacrifice. This act underscores the seriousness of sin, which required the giving of life, and the thoroughness of God's provision for atonement. The yᵉçûwdâh thus highlights the foundational nature of sacrifice in God's redemptive plan.
This meticulous instruction regarding the yᵉçûwdâh points to the divine precision and holiness required in approaching a righteous God. It foreshadows the ultimate, once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ, whose blood was shed to establish a new covenant and a new, unshakable foundation for salvation ([[Hebrews 9:22]], [[Hebrews 10:10-14]]). The pouring out of Christ's blood provides the complete and perfect atonement, establishing a firm and eternal basis for reconciliation between God and humanity.
### Summary
The Hebrew word yᵉçûwdâh (`{{H3248}}`) is a feminine noun meaning "foundation" or "base," derived from the root yāsad (to found, establish). Its usage in the Hebrew Bible is exclusively found in the books of Exodus and Leviticus, where it consistently refers to the physical "bottom" or "base" of the altar of burnt offering. In this context, the yᵉçûwdâh serves as the designated location for pouring out the sacrificial blood, symbolizing the complete and foundational nature of the atonement offered. Theologically, the yᵉçûwdâh of the altar underscores the precise and holy requirements for approaching God through sacrifice, pointing to the essential role of atonement as the very foundation of reconciliation between God and humanity, a concept ultimately fulfilled in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
TRV