מוֹצָא
a going forth, i.e. (the act) an egress, or (the place) an exit; hence, a source or product; specifically, dawn
Definition
The Hebrew noun מוֹצָא (môwtsâʼ) fundamentally means 'a going out' or 'a place of going out,' derived from the verb 'to go out.' It encompasses a range of meanings based on context, including: 1) a physical exit or source, such as a spring of water (2 Kings 2:21) or the place where the sun 'goes out' at dawn (Psalm 19:6); 2) an utterance or declaration that 'goes out' from the mouth, as in the 'proceeding' word of God (Deuteronomy 8:3); and 3) a point of origin or departure, like the starting points of the Israelites' journeys (Numbers 33:2) or the source of commercial exports (1 Kings 10:28). This semantic flexibility allows it to describe both concrete locations and abstract beginnings.
Biblical Usage
מוֹצָא appears 26 times across various Old Testament books, including the Pentateuch, Historical Books, and Wisdom Literature. It is used in legal contexts for vows 'proceeding' from the lips (Numbers 30:12, Deuteronomy 23:23), in geographical descriptions for exits and boundaries (2 Samuel 3:25), and in poetic imagery for the sunrise (Psalm 65:8). A notable pattern is its application to divine activity, such as God's life-giving word (Deuteronomy 8:3) or His creative power in making water flow (2 Kings 2:21).
Etymology
The word comes from the root יָצָא (yāṣāʼ, H3318), meaning 'to go out, come out, proceed.' As a noun derived from this common verb, מוֹצָא naturally extends to any 'going forth'—whether of people, words, water, or the sun. Cognates exist in other Semitic languages with similar meanings of 'exit' or 'source.'
Semantic Range
מוֹצָא is theologically significant as it often points to divine origins. In Deuteronomy 8:3, man lives by every word that 'proceeds' (מוֹצָא) from God's mouth, highlighting Scripture's life-giving nature. It describes God's creative power in providing water (2 Kings 2:21) and the sunrise (Psalm 19:6), emphasizing His sovereignty over natural processes. Understanding this Hebrew term enriches reading by connecting physical 'sources' (like springs) to spiritual truths about God as the ultimate source of life, guidance, and blessing.
In ancient Israelite culture, מוֹצָא reflected a concrete worldview where abstract concepts were tied to physical actions. A 'going out' could be a caravan's departure, water emerging from rock, or the sun's daily appearance—all vital for travel, survival, and timekeeping. The use for 'utterance' (Numbers 30:12) shows how speech was viewed as an active force leaving the mouth, carrying binding authority, especially in vows. This differs from modern abstract thinking, where 'source' or 'origin' is often detached from physical motion.
מַעְיָן (maʿyān, H4599) — specifically a spring or fountain, a type of water source, whereas מוֹצָא is broader. תּוֹצָאָה (tôṣāʼâ, H8444) — outcome or produce, focusing on results rather than the point of departure. מוֹצָאָה (môwtsāʼâ, H4161 variant) — a less common form with similar meaning.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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