In biblical geography and theology, the concept of "northwards" holds significant meaning, often symbolizing both physical direction and spiritual implications. The term "northwards" is used in various contexts throughout the Bible, indicating movement, direction, and sometimes divine judgment or blessing.

Geographical Significance

In the ancient Near Eastern context, "northwards" often referred to the direction towards regions such as Assyria, Babylon, and other territories that lay to the north of Israel. These regions were historically significant as they were often the source of invasions and exiles for the Israelites. For instance, the Assyrian and Babylonian captivities, which were pivotal events in Israel's history, came from the north. Jeremiah 1:14 states, "Then the LORD said to me, 'Out of the north the disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land.'"

Symbolic and Theological Implications

The north is sometimes associated with divine judgment. As seen in the prophetic literature, the north is depicted as the origin of God's instruments of judgment. This is evident in the book of Ezekiel, where the prophet sees visions of God's glory coming from the north (Ezekiel 1:4: "I looked and saw a whirlwind coming from the north, a great cloud with fire flashing back and forth and a brilliant light all around it. In the center of the fire was a glow like amber").

Conversely, the north can also symbolize God's sovereignty and power. In Psalm 48:2 , Mount Zion is described as "beautiful in loftiness, the joy of the whole earth, like the peaks of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the Great King." Here, "Zaphon" is a reference to the north, indicating a place of divine presence and authority.

Cultural and Historical Context

In the cultural context of the Bible, directions held symbolic meanings. The north, being associated with powerful empires and divine encounters, often carried connotations of awe and reverence. The Israelites' understanding of geography was deeply intertwined with their theological worldview, where physical directions often mirrored spiritual realities.

Biblical Narratives and Movements

Throughout the biblical narrative, movements northwards are recorded in various contexts. For example, Abram's journey from Ur of the Chaldeans to Canaan involved a northward trek along the Fertile Crescent. Similarly, the Israelites' wanderings in the wilderness included movements that were directed northwards as they approached the Promised Land.

In the New Testament, while the term "northwards" is less frequently used, the concept of direction remains significant. The spread of the Gospel from Jerusalem to the "ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8) implies a movement that includes all directions, encompassing the north as part of the divine mandate to reach all nations.

Conclusion

The concept of "northwards" in the Bible is rich with geographical, symbolic, and theological significance. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over nations and His divine plan that unfolds through history, often using the north as a backdrop for His purposes.(adv.) Toward the north, or toward a point nearer to the north than to the east or west point.

Travelling in Palestine --Roads, Inns, Hospitality, Custom-House ...
... led from Jerusalem, by Bethlehem, to Hebron, and thence westwards to Gaza, and
eastwards into Arabia, whence also a direct road went northwards to Damascus. ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 4 travelling in palestineroads.htm

Philip and the Desposyni
... Leaving the kindly hospitality of the Bishop of Jerusalem, he rode northwards, stopping
with an interest which can be imagined at Bethel and Shiloh, and ...
/.../chapter lxiv philip and the.htm

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
... Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its
colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 3 in galilee at.htm

When Diamond Went Home to Breakfast, He Found his Father and ...
... it is very difficult for me to get you to the back of the north wind, for that country
lies in the very north itself, and of course I can't blow northwards.". ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 9 when diamond went.htm

Footnotes
... 130 The text reads, its face is from the face of northwards, which some would emend
to its face is turned northwards, ie the side on which it is blown upon and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/footnotes.htm

The Boy Hugh
... province of a kingdom, whose metropolis was Rouen, yet that kingdom was becoming
rather top-heavy, and inclined to shift its centre of gravity northwards. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter i the boy hugh.htm

Jacob-Wrestling
... he will accept of me." But, to Jacob's great terror, Esau never looked at Jacob's
present, but put on his armour in silence, and came posting northwards at the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/whyte/lord teach us to pray/iv jacob-wrestling.htm

Zephaniah
... Jehovah, ii, 1-3. That judgment will sweep along the coast through the Philistine
country, ii.4-7, and on to Egypt, and afterwards turn northwards and utterly ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/zephaniah.htm

Religious Sects and Parties
... The first appearance of it was in 1260, when it began at Perugia, in the middle
of Italy, and spread both southwards to Rome and northwards to France, Hungary ...
/.../chapter xix religious sects and.htm

How the Human Race was Dispersed.
... over all the earth; and some of them tended towards the east to dwell there, and
others to the parts of the great continent, and others northwards, so as to ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xxxii how the human race.htm

Northwards (4 Occurrences)
...Northwards (4 Occurrences). ... (DBY). Joshua 18:18 and passed along towards the side
opposite to Arabah northwards, and went down to Arabah; (DBY). ...
/n/northwards.htm - 7k

Northward (41 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (a.) Toward the north; nearer to the north than to
the east or west point. 2. (adv.) Alt. of Northwards. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/n/northward.htm - 21k

Northwest (1 Occurrence)

/n/northwest.htm - 7k

Jiphthah-el (2 Occurrences)
... Jiphthah-el (2 Occurrences). Joshua 19:14 and the border turned round it northwards
to Hannathon: and ended in the valley of Jiphthah-el; ... (DBY WBS YLT). ...
/j/jiphthah-el.htm - 7k

Westwards (6 Occurrences)
... Joshua 15:10 and the border turned from Baalah westwards toward mount Seir, and
passed toward the side of Har-jearim, that is, Chesalon, northwards, and went ...
/w/westwards.htm - 8k

Reached (152 Occurrences)
... Joshua 15:11 And the border went out to the side of Ekron northwards, and the border
reached along toward Shicron, and passed mount Baalah, and went toward ...
/r/reached.htm - 35k

Opposite (137 Occurrences)
... Joshua 18:18 and passed along towards the side opposite to Arabah northwards, and
went down to Arabah; (DBY). Joshua 19:46 And on the west was ... ...
/o/opposite.htm - 37k

Har-jearim (1 Occurrence)
... Joshua 15:10 and the border turned from Baalah westwards toward mount Seir, and
passed toward the side of Har-jearim, that is, Chesalon, northwards, and went ...
/h/har-jearim.htm - 6k

Northwards: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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