Topical Encyclopedia
The term "sun-rising" in the Bible often refers to the direction of the east, where the sun appears to rise each day. This natural phenomenon holds significant symbolic and literal importance throughout the Scriptures, representing new beginnings, divine intervention, and the unfolding of God's plan.
Symbolism and Significance1.
New Beginnings and Hope: The rising of the sun is frequently associated with new beginnings and hope. In
Lamentations 3:22-23 , the prophet Jeremiah writes, "Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!" The dawn of each day symbolizes God's renewed mercies and faithfulness, offering believers a fresh start.
2.
Divine Presence and Guidance: The east, or the direction of the sun-rising, is often linked with the presence and guidance of God. In
Ezekiel 43:2 , the prophet describes a vision of God's glory coming from the east: "And I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of many waters, and the earth shone with His glory." This imagery underscores the belief that God's presence and guidance often come from the east, the direction of the sun-rising.
3.
Judgment and Deliverance: The sun-rising can also symbolize judgment and deliverance. In
Malachi 4:2 , the prophet speaks of a future day of judgment and healing: "But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go out and leap like calves from the stall." Here, the sun-rising represents both the judgment of the wicked and the deliverance and healing of the righteous.
Literal References1.
Geographical Orientation: The term "sun-rising" is used in a geographical context to denote the east. In
Numbers 34:15 , the land allocation for the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh is described: "These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan from Jericho, eastward toward the sunrise." This indicates the eastern boundary of their territory.
2.
Direction for Worship and Rituals: The orientation towards the east is significant in various worship practices and rituals. In the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple, the entrance faced east, towards the sun-rising, symbolizing the anticipation of God's presence and the coming of His light.
3.
Prophetic Imagery: The sun-rising is used in prophetic imagery to convey messages of hope and restoration. In
Isaiah 60:1-3 , the prophet declares, "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. For behold, darkness covers the earth, and thick darkness is over the peoples; but the LORD will rise upon you, and His glory will appear over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." This passage uses the imagery of the sun-rising to depict the coming glory and restoration of God's people.
In summary, the concept of sun-rising in the Bible is rich with symbolic meaning and practical application. It serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness, presence, and the hope of new beginnings, while also providing geographical and ritualistic context within the biblical narrative.
Strong's Hebrew
8121. shemesh -- sun... east sideward,
sun rising, westward, window. From an unused root meaning to
be brilliant; the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively
...4217. mizrach -- place of sunrise, the east
... 5), rising (6), sunrise (3), sunrise* (3),sunrising (1). east side, sunrise. From
zarach; sunrise, ie The east -- east (side, -ward), (sun-)rising (of the sun...
Library
TheSun Rising Upon a Dark World
... Sermon VIII TheSun Rising upon a Dark World. TheSun Rising upon a Dark World Isaiah
9:2. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light:...
Permit Me, Lord, to Seek Further. ...
... What I behold, is present; what I foresignify, to come; not the sun, which
already is; but thesun-rising, which is not yet. And...
Christianity a Light.
... "Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dayspring [sun rising"margin]
from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness and...
Saul's Expedition against the Nation of the Ammonites and victory...
... from the inhabitants of Jabesh, and promised them to come to their assistance on
the third day, and to beat their enemies beforesun-rising, that the sun upon...
The Story of St. Ursula
... At thesun-rising you shall go boldly before the ambassadors of the King of
Over-sea, for the God of Heaven shall give you wisdom, and teach your tongue what...
Book ii.
... of his forefathers, and offered his prayers in the open air, towards the city walls;
but that he reduced them all to be directed towardssun-rising, which was...
The Very Same Night While I was Sleeping Satan Attacked Me...
... And meanwhile I saw thesun rising in the sky, and while I was crying out Helias,
Helias' with all my might, lo, the brilliance of that sun fell upon me and...
The Savoy Declaration of the Congregational Churches. AD 1658.
... The first edition appeared in London in 1658, as printed by John Field and sold
by John Allen 'at theSun Rising in Paul's Church-yard' (a copy of which is in...
How Christians are the Spiritual Israel.
... John speaks as follows: [4456] "And I saw another angel ascending from thesunrising,
having the seal of the living God, and he cried with a loud voice to the...
A Description of the Sea-Coast, Out of Pliny and Strabo.
... "After that, Joppa; next which, the shore of Egypt, which before had stretched
out towardssun-rising, does remarkably bend towards the north....
Thesaurus
Sunrising (15 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
SUNRISING.
... In Revelation 7:2, the Revised Version
(British and American) has "
sunrising" for the King James Version "east.".
...Sun-rising (14 Occurrences)
Sun-rising.Sunrising,Sun-rising. Suns . Multi-Version ConcordanceSun-rising
(14 Occurrences).... (YLT).Sunrising,Sun-rising. Suns . Reference Bible.
Zeb'ulun (41 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:27 And it turned toward thesunrising to Beth-dagon, and reached to Zebulun
and to the valley of Iphtahel northward at Beth-emek and Neiel; and it...
Reacheth (23 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:27 And turneth toward thesunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to Zebulun,
and to the valley of Jiphthahel toward the north side of Bethemek, and...
Sunrise (25 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Alt. ofSunrising. Multi-Version Concordance
Sunrise (25 Occurrences). Mark 16:2 So, very soon after...
Turns (80 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:27 And it turned toward thesunrising to Beth-dagon, and reached to Zebulun
and to the valley of Iphtahel northward at Beth-emek and Neiel; and it...
Judah (802 Occurrences)
... should read thus, "and Judah; the Jordan was toward thesun-rising." The sixty... Issachar,
was to the East of the tabernacle "toward thesunrising," the prince...
Rising (162 Occurrences)
... Revelation 7:2 And I saw another angel ascend from thesunrising, having the seal
of the living God: and he cried with a great voice to the four angels to whom...
Turneth (249 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:27 And turneth toward thesunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to Zebulun,
and to the valley of Jiphthahel toward the north side of Bethemek, and...
Lebanon (66 Occurrences)
... eastern range, or Anti-Lebanon, or "Lebanon towards thesunrising," runs nearly...
something in, the eastern range of "Lebanon, toward thesun-rising" (Joshua 13:5...
Resources
What is the sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2)? | GotQuestions.orgIs Jesus a myth? Is Jesus just a copy of the pagan gods of other ancient religions? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God came from Teman (Habakkuk 3:3)? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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