Topical Encyclopedia
The term "southeast" is not explicitly mentioned in the Bible; however, the concept of cardinal directions, including southeast, is implicit in various biblical narratives and descriptions of geography. Understanding the significance of directions in biblical times can provide insight into the cultural and historical context of the Scriptures.
Geographical ContextIn biblical geography, directions were often used to describe the location of territories, the movement of people, and the positioning of significant events. The land of Israel, situated at the crossroads of Africa, Asia, and Europe, was influenced by its surrounding regions. The southeast direction from Israel would generally point towards the Arabian Peninsula, a region that played a role in the history of the Israelites and their neighbors.
Biblical ReferencesWhile the specific term "southeast" does not appear, the Bible frequently uses directions to describe the movement of people and the location of lands. For example, the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land involved travel that would have included southeastward movements at various points. The Berean Standard Bible provides numerous instances where directions are significant:
·
Genesis 12:9 : "And Abram journeyed on, continuing toward the Negev." The Negev is a desert region located to the south of Israel, and Abram's journey from the north would have included a southeastward direction at times.
·
Ezekiel 47:19 : "On the south side it will run from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribah Kadesh, then along the Wadi of Egypt to the Great Sea. This will be the southern boundary." This passage describes the southern boundary of the land, which would encompass areas to the southeast.
Cultural and Symbolic SignificanceIn biblical symbolism, directions often carry deeper meanings. The east, for example, is associated with the Garden of Eden (
Genesis 2:8) and the return of Christ (
Matthew 24:27). The south, on the other hand, is sometimes associated with warmth and abundance, as seen in the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon from the south (
1 Kings 10:1-13).
The southeast, as a combination of these directions, could symbolically represent a blend of new beginnings and prosperity. It is a direction that might suggest movement towards growth and divine encounters, as seen in the journeys of biblical figures who traveled through or towards regions in the southeast.
Historical InteractionsThe regions to the southeast of Israel, including parts of Arabia, were home to various peoples and cultures that interacted with the Israelites. The Bible records interactions with the Edomites, Moabites, and Ammonites, who lived to the southeast of Israel. These interactions ranged from conflict to cooperation and are documented throughout the Old Testament.
ConclusionWhile the specific term "southeast" is not used in the Bible, understanding the geographical and symbolic significance of directions enhances the study of biblical narratives. The southeast direction, in particular, offers insights into the movement and interactions of biblical peoples, as well as the symbolic meanings associated with their journeys.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The point of the compass equally distant from the south and the east; the southeast part or region.
2. (a.) of or pertaining to the southeast; proceeding toward, or coming from, the southeast; as, a southeast course; a southeast wind.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
NORTHEAST, SOUTHEASTThese words occur inActs 27:12, "if by any means they could reach Phoenix, and winter there; which is a haven of Crete, looking north-east and south-east." the Revised Version margin has, "Greek, down the south-west wind and down the north-west wind," which is a literal translation of the Greek: eis Phoinika.... limena tes Kretes bleponta (looking) kata liba (the southwest wind) kai kata choron (the northwest wind). Choros does not appear to occur except here, but the corresponding Latin caurus or corus is found in Caesar, Vergil, and other classical authors. the King James Version has "lieth toward the south west and north west." kata, with a wind or stream, means, "down the wind or stream," i.e. in the direction that it is blowing or flowing, and this interpretation would indicate a harbor open to the East. If lips, and choros, are used here as names of directions rather than of winds, we should expect a harbor open to the West. There is good reason for identifying Phoenix (the King James Version "Phenice") with Loutro on the south shore of Crete (EB, under the word "Phenice"), whose harbor is open to the East. SeePHOENIX.
Alfred Ely Day
SOUTHEAST
SeeNORTHEAST.
Greek
2148. Eurokludon -- Euroklydon, northeast wind... Euroklydon, northeast wind From Euros (the east wind) and kludon; a storm from the
East (or
southeast), ie (in modern phrase) a Levanter -- Euroklydon.
...Strong's Hebrew
8603. Tophel -- a placeSoutheast of the Dead Sea... 8602b, 8603. Tophel. 8604 . a place
Southeast of the Dead Sea. Transliteration:
Tophel Phonetic Spelling: (to'-fel) Short Definition: Tophel.
...4586. Meunim -- a peopleSoutheast of the Dead Sea
... Meunim or Meinim. 4587 . a peopleSoutheast of the Dead Sea. Transliteration:
Meunim or Meinim Phonetic Spelling: (meh-oo-nee') Short Definition: Meunites....
2362. Chavran -- a districtSoutheast of Mount Hermon
... 2361, 2362. Chavran. 2363 . a districtSoutheast of Mount Hermon. Transliteration:
Chavran Phonetic Spelling: (khav-rawn') Short Definition: Hauran....
2128. Ziph -- a son of Judah, also a citySoutheast of Hebron and...
... Ziph. 2129 . a son of Judah, also a citySoutheast of Hebron and a city in S.
Judah. Transliteration: Ziph Phonetic Spelling: (zeef) Short Definition: Ziph....
6924b. qedem -- eastward, toward the east
... the same as qedem Definition eastward, toward the east NASB Word Usage east (9),
east side (2), east* (2), eastern (1), eastward (10), side (1),southeast* (1...
5045. negeb -- south country, the Negeb, south
... unused word Definition south country, the Negeb, south NASB Word Usage Negev (36),
South (11), south (45), south side (2), south* (3),southeast* (1), southern...
Library
Jesus Heals Two Gergesene Demoniacs.
... Some sixteen miles away and to thesoutheast, and seven miles back from
the lake, was the well-known city of Gadara. Further on...
Chapter x
... Gimirrai. "Magog," according to Josephus, represents the ancient Scythian
hordes, found originallysoutheast of the Black Sea. Perhaps...
The Heroic Women of Early Indiana Methodism.
... extending from the Ohio at Madison, to Fort Wayne, embracing all of the present
North Indiana Conference and about one-half of theSoutheast, requiring him to...
Chapter xiv
... having a separate king. "Bela," or "Zoar," had best be placed at thesoutheast
corner of the Dead Sea. Note the unconnected perfect...
His Unconscious Preparation for his Work
... together. 15. The place of his birth was Tarsus, the capital of the province
of Cilicia, in thesoutheast of Asia Minor. It stood...
The Writings of Israel's Philosophers
... Since Job and his friends live out on the borders of the Arabian desert to the east
orsoutheast of Palestine, it seems clear that the tradition came to the...
Joshua's Conquest.
... were the Philistines, west of Judah, the Phoenician kingdoms on the north, Arameans
or Syrians on the northeast, and on the east andsoutheast, the Ammonites...
The Captivity of Judah.
... by many canals. It was on the river, or canal, Chebar (Ez.1:1.3; 3:15,
etc.) which ransoutheast from Babylon to Nippur. It was...
End of Three Months' Ministry in Jerusalem.
... pillars. It is generally supposed to have been in thesoutheast part of
the temple inclosure, overlooking the valley of the Kedron....
Liii. Repentance Enjoined. Parable of the Barren Fig-Tree.
... The pool of Siloam lies near thesoutheast corner of Jerusalem, at the entrance
of the Tyrop??an village which runs up between Mt. Zion and Moriah....
Thesaurus
Southeast (2 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The point of the compass equally distant
from the south and the east; the
southeast part or region.
...Jattir (4 Occurrences)
... It is now Khirbet `Attir, an important ruin, in the extreme South of the hill country,
5 milesSoutheast of edh Dhariyeh and 20 milesSoutheast of Belt Jibrin....
Geology
... A notable area of Paleozoic occursSoutheast of the Dead Sea.... ThoseSoutheast
of the Dead Sea are the oldest of all, being of Cambrian age....
Elamites (2 Occurrences)
... across. On a steep hill to the southern side and a littleSoutheast of
the wide expanse is Kh. esh-Shuweikeh, the site of Socoh....
Elam (24 Occurrences)
... across. On a steep hill to the southern side and a littleSoutheast of
the wide expanse is Kh. esh-Shuweikeh, the site of Socoh....
Northeast (1 Occurrence)
... course; a northeast wind. 3. (adv.) Toward the northeast. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. NORTHEAST,SOUTHEAST. These words occur in...
Jabeshgilead (12 Occurrences)
... Others (Oliphant, Land of Gilead, 277; Merrill, East of Jordan, 430, etc.) would
identify it with the ruins of Meriamin, about 3 milesSoutheast of Pella, on...
Jabesh-gilead (12 Occurrences)
... Others (Oliphant, Land of Gilead, 277; Merrill, East of Jordan, 430, etc.) would
identify it with the ruins of Meriamin, about 3 milesSoutheast of Pella, on...
Derbe (4 Occurrences)
... DERBE. dur'-be (Derbe, Acts 14:20, 21; Acts 16:1; Derbaios, 20:4; Derbetes, Strabo,
Cicero): A city in the extremeSoutheast corner of the Lycaonian plain is...
Bethdagon (2 Occurrences)
... It may be represented by the modern Beit Dijan, about 6 milesSoutheast of Jaffa.
This however is a modern site, and not in the Shephelah....
Resources
What was/is the importance of the gates of Jerusalem? | GotQuestions.orgWhat happened on Paul's third missionary journey? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is folk religion? | GotQuestions.orgSoutheast: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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