East - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
East
[ 1,,G395, anatole ]primarily a rising," as of the sun and stars, corresponds to anatello, "to make to rise," or, intransitively, "to arise," which is also used of the sunlight, as well as of other objects in nature. In Luke 1:78 it is used metaphorically of Christ as "the Dayspring," the One through whom light came into the world, shining immediately into Israel, to dispel the darkness which was upon all nations. Cp. Malachi 4:2. Elsewhere it denotes the "east," as the quarter of the sun's rising, Matthew 2:1-Matthew 2:2, Matthew 2:9; Matthew 8:11; Matthew 24:27; Luke 13:29; Revelation 7:2; Revelation 16:12; Revelation 21:13. The "east" in general stands for that side of things upon which the rising of the sun gives light. In the heavenly city itself, Revelation 21:13, the reference to the "east" gate points to the outgoing of the influence of the city "eastward." See DAYSPRING.