Bible Dictionary
WEST
West is commonly expressed in Hebrew by reference to the sea or to the setting of the sun. Figuratively, the distance between east and west represents the immeasurable removal of sin.
Definition
West is the direction of the setting sun. Hebrew commonly expresses it by sea, because the Mediterranean lies west of Palestine, or by words connected with sunset or the sun’s going down.
Biblical Usage
The Bible uses west with east to express great or immeasurable distance, especially in the statement that transgressions are removed as far as east is from west. The New Testament also speaks of people coming from east and west.
Historical Background
Hebrew expressions include sea, sunset, and the entrance or setting of the sun. Greek usage similarly derives the term from the setting of the sun.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>(1) Usually (yam), "sea" because the Mediterranean lies to the West of Palestine; not usually in figurative expressions; but compare Ho 11:10.</p><p>(2) Often (ma`arabh); compare Arabic (gharb), and (maghrib), "west" (maghrib-ush-shems), or simply (maghrib), "sunset."</p><p>(3) (mebho' ha-chemesh), "entrance of the sun," (mabho', bo'), "to come in." (Just as mizrach, is the rising of the sun, or east, so mabho' (or ma'arabh], is the setting of the sun, or west: "From the rising of the sun (mizrach-shemesh) unto the going down (mabho) thereof" (Ps 50:1; compare 113:3; Mal 1:11).)</p><p>(4) (dusme, from duo), "to enter," "sink," "set." The Greek usage is parallel to the Hebrew just cited: "Many shall come from the east anatole, "rising") and the west" (dusme, "setting") (Mt 8:11).</p><p>The chief figurative use of the word "west" is in combination with "east" to denote great or infinite distance, as:</p><p>"As far as the east is from the west,</p><p>So far hath he removed our transgressions</p><p>from us" (Ps 103:12).</p><p>Alfred Ely Day</p>