The term "side-ward" is not directly found in the Berean Standard Bible or other traditional translations of the Bible. However, the concept of moving or looking "side-ward" can be inferred from various scriptural contexts where individuals or groups are described as turning away from a direct path or focus, often with spiritual implications.

Biblical Context and Usage:

1. Turning Aside from God's Path:
The idea of turning "side-ward" can be associated with the biblical theme of deviating from God's commandments or straying from the righteous path. In Deuteronomy 5:32 , it is written, "So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you are not to turn aside to the right or to the left." This verse emphasizes the importance of steadfastness in following God's law without deviation.

2. Spiritual Distraction:
The concept of looking or moving "side-ward" can also symbolize spiritual distraction or being led astray by worldly desires. Proverbs 4:27 advises, "Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil." Here, the admonition is to maintain a straight course in one's spiritual journey, avoiding distractions that lead away from righteousness.

3. Moral and Ethical Implications:
In a broader sense, the notion of "side-ward" movement can reflect moral and ethical choices that deviate from biblical teachings. The Israelites, for instance, are often depicted as turning away from God to follow other gods, as seen in Judges 2:17 : "Yet they would not listen to their judges, but prostituted themselves to other gods and worshiped them. They quickly turned from the way of their fathers, who had walked in obedience to the LORD’s commands."

4. Symbolism in Prophetic Literature:
Prophetic books often use imagery of turning or looking aside to convey messages of judgment or calls to repentance. In Isaiah 30:11 , the rebellious nature of the people is highlighted: "Leave this way; get off this path, and stop confronting us with the Holy One of Israel!" This reflects a deliberate choice to turn away from divine instruction.

5. New Testament Application:
In the New Testament, the concept of remaining focused on Christ and not turning "side-ward" is echoed in passages like Hebrews 12:2 : "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith." This verse encourages believers to maintain their focus on Jesus, avoiding distractions that could lead them away from their faith.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, the idea of moving "side-ward" serves as a metaphor for spiritual unfaithfulness and the human tendency to stray from God's will. It underscores the importance of vigilance, obedience, and the need for constant realignment with God's purposes. The biblical exhortation to avoid turning aside is a call to remain faithful and committed to the path of righteousness, as defined by Scripture.1855. exothen -- from without
... outside, outward, from without. From exo; external(-ly) -- out(-side, -ward, - wardly),
(from) without. see GREEK exo. (exothen) -- 13 Occurrences. 1854, 1855 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1855.htm - 6k8121. shemesh -- sun
... east sideward, sun rising, westward, window. ... by implication, the east; figuratively,
a ray, ie (arch.) A notched battlement -- + east side(-ward), sun ((rising ...
/hebrew/8121.htm - 6k

6828. tsaphon -- north
... Or tsaphon {tsaw-fone'}; from tsaphan; properly, hidden, ie Dark; used only of the
north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown) -- north(-ern, side, -ward, wind). ...
/hebrew/6828.htm - 6k

6924. qedem -- front, east, formerly
... East) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward) --
aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end, part, side, -ward), eternal, X ...
/hebrew/6924.htm - 6k

8486. teman -- south, south wind
... south side,. Or teman {tay-mawn'}; denominative from yamiyn; the south (as being
on the right hand of a person facing the east) -- south (side, -ward, wind). ...
/hebrew/8486.htm - 6k

5045. negeb -- south country, the Negeb, south
... the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah,
occasionally, Egypt (as south to Palestine) -- south (country, side, -ward ...
/hebrew/5045.htm - 6k

3220. yam -- sea
... Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely)
the south -- sea (X -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward ...
/hebrew/3220.htm - 6k

2351. chuts -- the outside, a street
... an unused root meaning to sever; properly, separate by a wall, ie Outside, outdoors --
abroad, field, forth, highway, more, out(-side, -ward), street, without. ...
/hebrew/2351.htm - 6k

4217. mizrach -- place of sunrise, the east
... east side, sunrise. From zarach; sunrise, ie The east -- east (side, -ward),
(sun-)rising (of the sun). see HEBREW zarach. 4216, 4217. mizrach. 4218 . ...
/hebrew/4217.htm - 6k

268. achor -- the hind side, back part
... from Achiyra'; the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing
north) the West -- after(-ward), back (part, -side, -ward), hereafter, (be ...
/hebrew/268.htm - 6k

Side-ward (1 Occurrence)
Side-ward. Side-walls, Side-ward. Siding . Multi-Version Concordance
Side-ward (1 Occurrence). 1 Samuel 20:20 And I ...
/s/side-ward.htm - 6k

Siding (3 Occurrences)

/s/siding.htm - 7k

Shooting (13 Occurrences)
... the ground. (YLT). 1 Samuel 20:20 And I will shoot three arrows to the
side-ward, as though I shot at a mark. (See NIV). 1 Samuel ...
/s/shooting.htm - 10k

Side-walls (2 Occurrences)
Side-walls. Sidewalls, Side-walls. Side-ward . Multi-Version Concordance
Side-walls (2 Occurrences). ... (BBE). Sidewalls, Side-walls. Side-ward . Reference ...
/s/side-walls.htm - 7k

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