East

East (mizrah in Hebrew, meaning "the rising") was the primary orientation point in the ancient Near Eastern world. Biblical geography and temple design were oriented eastward: the entrance of the tabernacle and Temple faced east, the rising sun marking the direction of God's approach (Ezekiel 43:2; 44:1). The "east country" or "land of the east" (Genesis 25:6; Numbers 23:7) denoted broadly the territories beyond the Jordan and Euphrates — Mesopotamia, Arabia, and the regions of Aram.

Theologically, east carries both positive and negative connotations in Scripture. The garden of Eden was "eastward" (Genesis 2:8), and after the fall, humanity was driven east of Eden (Genesis 3:24; 4:16). The nations assembled from the east to build Babel (Genesis 11:2). Conversely, the glory of the LORD was seen coming from the east in Ezekiel's vision of restoration (Ezekiel 43:2), and the star of the Magi came from the east (Matthew 2:1–2). In Jewish liturgical practice, prayer facing east anticipated the direction of divine return.