### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H4163 (מוֹצָאָה, *môwtsâʼâh*) is a feminine noun derived from `{{H4161}}` (מוֹצָא, *môwtsāʼ*), which signifies "a going forth," "an exit," "a source," or "an origin." As a feminine form, H4163 often denotes a specific *place* of going forth or a *result* of an exit. Its semantic range is notably bifurcated, presenting two distinct conceptual fields.
Firstly, it can refer to a "family descent" or, by extension, a community defined by its "going forth" or origin. This meaning emphasizes lineage, a common point of departure, or shared heritage. It speaks to the identity derived from a collective "coming out."
Secondly, and quite strikingly, H4163 also carries the meaning of a "sewer," "latrine," or "draught house." This pejorative sense is likely influenced by its phonetic and conceptual proximity to `{{H6675}}` (צוֹאָה, *tsōʼāh*), meaning "excrement" or "filth." In this context, H4163 refers to a place where waste "goes forth" or is expelled, thus becoming a symbol of defilement, contempt, and utter degradation. The dual nature of this word—signifying both origin/community and utter waste—is remarkable and context-dependent.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H4163 appears in two distinct biblical contexts, each illustrating one of its primary semantic poles:
1. **2 Kings 10:27**: "And they broke down the pillar of Baal and broke down the house of Baal and made it a latrine (מוֹצָאָה) to this day." In this passage, Jehu's actions against the house of Baal are depicted. The transformation of a pagan temple into a מוֹצָאָה (translated as "latrine" or "draught house") serves as a powerful act of desecration and contempt. It signifies the complete nullification of Baal's worship, reducing a sacred space of idolatry to a place of utter impurity and shame. The "going forth" here is that of waste, symbolizing the expulsion and rejection of false worship. This usage aligns with the pejorative meaning influenced by `{{H6675}}`.
2. **Ezra 10:8**: "And that if any would not come within three days, according to the counsel of the princes and elders, all his substance should be forfeited, and himself separated from the congregation of those that had been carried away (מִמּוֹצָאָה)." Here, the context is the post-exilic community in Jerusalem, specifically the assembly dealing with foreign wives. The phrase "the congregation of those that had been carried away" (or "assembly of the exiles") uses H4163 to refer to the community defined by their shared "going forth" or "coming out" from Babylonian captivity. To be "separated from the מוֹצָאָה" in this context means to be excluded from the assembly, the community whose identity is rooted in their collective return and covenant renewal. This usage clearly aligns with the "family descent" or "community of origin" meaning, emphasizing shared heritage and identity.
These two occurrences demonstrate the word's stark semantic range, from a place of ultimate defilement to a collective identity rooted in a shared historical experience.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most directly related word to H4163 is its masculine counterpart, `{{H4161}}` (מוֹצָא, *môwtsāʼ*), which broadly means "a going forth," "an egress," "a source," or "an origin." The feminine form H4163 often specifies the *place* or *result* of such a going forth.
The pejorative sense of H4163 is strongly connected to `{{H6675}}` (צוֹאָה, *tsōʼāh*), which denotes "excrement" or "filth." This connection highlights the concept of ritual impurity and defilement, central to Israelite law and worship.
Other related concepts include:
* **`{{H3318}}` (יָצָא, *yātsāʼ*)**: The verbal root "to go out," from which both H4161 and H4163 are derived.
* **Purity and Impurity**: The use of H4163 as a latrine underscores the profound distinction between that which is pure and that which is defiled, a foundational concept in the Torah.
* **Identity and Community**: In Ezra, H4163 defines a community by its shared origin and experience, emphasizing the importance of collective identity and adherence to covenant.
* **Judgment and Desecration**: The use in 2 Kings exemplifies divine judgment against idolatry and the symbolic act of rendering a sacred space utterly profane.
### Theological Significance
The dual usage of H4163 offers profound theological insights.
In 2 Kings 10:27, the transformation of the house of Baal into a מוֹצָאָה serves as a powerful theological statement about God's absolute sovereignty and His judgment against idolatry. It is not merely the destruction of a pagan temple but its complete and utter desecration, rendering it a place of abomination. This act symbolizes the contempt in which God holds false worship and the ultimate futility and defilement of anything that exalts itself against Him. It underscores the severity of breaking the first commandment and the comprehensive nature of divine justice.
Conversely, in Ezra 10:8, H4163 defines the very identity of the post-exilic community, "the congregation of those that had been carried away." Their מוֹצָאָה—their shared "going forth" from captivity—is the foundation of their renewed covenant identity. To be separated from this מוֹצָאָה is to be cut off from the covenant community, a severe consequence that highlights the importance of purity, obedience, and collective responsibility within the restored Israel. This usage emphasizes the redemptive "going forth" initiated by God, bringing His people out of bondage and establishing them as a holy remnant.
The tension between these two meanings—a place of utter filth versus a community defined by its sacred origin—reflects the stark choices presented to humanity: to be a place of defilement through rebellion and idolatry, or to be a people whose "going forth" is aligned with God's redemptive purposes, leading to a holy and distinct identity.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H4163 (מוֹצָאָה, *môwtsâʼâh*) is a feminine noun with a striking semantic duality. Derived from the root meaning "to go forth," it can signify either a "family descent" or a community defined by its shared origin, as seen in Ezra 10:8, where it refers to the "congregation of those that had been carried away" from exile, highlighting their collective identity. In stark contrast, influenced by its association with "filth," it also denotes a "sewer" or "latrine," as powerfully depicted in 2 Kings 10:27, where the house of Baal is transformed into a place of utter defilement, symbolizing divine judgment against idolatry. This word thus encapsulates both the sacred identity rooted in a divinely ordained "going forth" and the profound degradation associated with rebellion and impurity, offering a vivid linguistic testament to the consequences of human choices before God.
TRV