• The orient (mizrah); the rising of the sun. Thus "the east country" is the country lying to the east of Syria, the Elymais (Zechariah 8:7 ).

    (2). Properly what is in front of one, or a country that is before or in front of another; the rendering of the word Kedem . In pointing out the quarters, a Hebrew always looked with his face toward the east. The word Kedem Is used when the four quarters of the world are described ( Genesis 13:14; 28:14 ); and Mizrah When the east only is distinguished from the west ( Joshua 11:3; Psalm 50:1; 103:12 , etc.). In Genesis 25:6 "eastward" is literally "unto the land of kedem;" i.e., the lands lying east of Palestine, namely, Arabia, Mesopotamia, etc.

    Copyright StatementThese dictionary topics are from M.G. Easton M.A., D.D., Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Third Edition, published by Thomas Nelson, 1897. Public Domain.

    Bibliography InformationEaston, Matthew George. Entry for 'East'. Easton's Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/ebd/e/east.html. 1897.