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.
Source
- part_of
source-manifest/easton— Easton's Bible Dictionary (PD)