The libation offering
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Num. 15:5; 28:7, 8, 10, and so on; 2 Kings 16:13) — an Old Testament rite, consisting in the pouring of grape wine around the altar, at its foot. “He (that is, the high priest),” says Jesus the son of Sirach concerning this rite, which of course had a deep, mysterious meaning, as did all the sacrifices of the Old Testament, “stretched out his hand to the sacrificial cup, and poured of the blood of the grape, and poured it out at the foot of the altar, a sweet-smelling savor unto the most high King of all” (Sirach 50:15).