Topical Bible: The Sun: The Jews: Expressed the East by Rising of

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In the ancient Hebrew worldview, the sun held significant symbolic and practical importance. The sun's rising in the east was a natural phenomenon that the Jewish people often used to express direction and orientation. This practice is evident in various scriptural references and cultural expressions.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 2:8 : "And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, where He placed the man He had formed." The mention of the east in the context of Eden highlights the direction associated with the origin of life and divine presence.

2. Genesis 12:8 : "From there Abram moved on to the hill country east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east." Here, the east is used to describe Abram's journey and the geographical orientation of his encampment.

3. Exodus 27:13 : "The width of the courtyard on the east side, toward the sunrise, is to be fifty cubits." The tabernacle's construction instructions include specific references to the east, emphasizing the importance of orientation in worship and religious practice.

4. Ezekiel 43:2 : "And I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory." The east is depicted as the direction from which God's glory approaches, symbolizing divine revelation and presence.

Cultural and Symbolic Significance:

In Jewish thought, the east, marked by the rising sun, often symbolized beginnings, renewal, and divine intervention. The sun's daily journey from east to west mirrored the cycle of life and the constancy of God's creation. The east was not only a cardinal direction but also a metaphor for hope and new beginnings, as each sunrise brought the promise of a new day.

The orientation of sacred spaces, such as the tabernacle and later the temple, often considered the east as a significant direction. This orientation was not merely practical but also deeply symbolic, aligning worship with the natural order established by God.

Theological Implications:

The use of the east as a reference point in the Hebrew Scriptures underscores the belief in a God who is both transcendent and immanent. The rising sun serves as a daily reminder of God's faithfulness and the renewal of His mercies. The east, as the direction of the sunrise, becomes a powerful symbol of hope, divine presence, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan.

In summary, the Jewish expression of the east by the rising of the sun is a multifaceted concept that encompasses geographical orientation, cultural symbolism, and theological depth. The sun's daily journey from east to west is a testament to the order and reliability of God's creation, serving as a constant reminder of His presence and promises.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Numbers 21:11
And they journeyed from Oboth, and pitched at Ijeabarim, in the wilderness which is before Moab, toward the sun rise.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 4:41,47
Then Moses severed three cities on this side Jordan toward the sun rise;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 12:1
Now these are the kings of the land, which the children of Israel smote, and possessed their land on the other side Jordan toward the rising of the sun, from the river Arnon to mount Hermon, and all the plain on the east:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
... Jordan curiously reminds us of the fears expressed by the ... around the districts inhabited
by the Jews the country ... of the ancient Syrian god of the sun, and even ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 2 jews and gentiles.htm

What Messiah did the Jews Expect?
... CHAPTER V. WHAT MESSIAH DID THE JEWS EXPECT ... King Whom God will send from the sun.'
[850] [851 ... put aside, as universally repudiated, the opinion expressed by one ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v what messiah did.htm

The visit and Homage of the Magi, and the Flight into Egypt
... [1049] [1050] Of course, the Jews (or many of ... [1051] But it was a principle strongly
expressed, and frequently ... this, that an eclipse of the sun betokened evil ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter viii the visit and.htm

Whether Sufficient Reason Can be Assigned for the Ceremonies ...
... Hence the Jews alone worked at the building of the ... adored towards the rising of the
sun." Accordingly, in ... sign thereof, the wisdom which was expressed on the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether sufficient reason can be.htm

The Description of Jerusalem.
... it was erected with great diligence by the Jews, as high ... both afforded a prospect
of Arabia at sun-rising, as well ... of the stones is not to be expressed; for a ...
/.../chapter 4 the description of.htm

Jesus and the Blind Man.
... and to exposure to an almost tropical sun, and to ... who were an important part of
"the Jews." His answers ... How often do we hear the wish expressed that Christ's ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/jesus and the blind man.htm

Greeks Seek Jesus. He Foretells that He Shall Draw all Men unto ...
... his hour of suffering, but to aid the Jews to believe ... of it," says Barnes, "may be
thus expressed: Now is ... as the night withdraws before the rising sun.] 32 And ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxii greeks seek jesus he.htm

Life in Persia.
... He expressed his surprise that Europeans, who were so skillful ... At last the fierce
sun retired and I crept out ... was a party of Armenians, now learned Jews, now a ...
/.../rhea/life of henry martyn missionary to india and persia/life in persia.htm

Psalm CVII.
... Let them be expressed exactly who they are, for whom this Psalm ... 4888] For thou seekest
a sacrifice among the Jews; thou hast ... "From the rising of the sun to the ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cvii.htm

The Founder of Christianity.
... Hence the natural surprise of his countrymen as expressed in the ... He chose twelve
apostles for the Jews and seventy ... can paint the glory of the rising sun with a ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 15 the founder of.htm