The term "sunrising" in the Bible often refers to the direction of the east, where the sun rises, and is used both literally and symbolically throughout Scripture. The concept of the sun rising is a powerful image that conveys themes of new beginnings, divine intervention, and the faithfulness of God.

Literal References:

In a literal sense, "sunrising" is used to describe geographical directions and times of day. For instance, in the division of the land among the tribes of Israel, the term is used to denote the eastern boundary. Joshua 19:12 states, "From Sarid it turned eastward toward the sunrise to the border of Kisloth-tabor, and went on to Daberath and up to Japhia."

The rising of the sun is also a marker of time in the daily life of the Israelites. In Genesis 19:23 , the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is described with the timing of the sun: "The sun had risen over the land when Lot reached Zoar."

Symbolic References:

Symbolically, the sun rising is often associated with God's faithfulness and the renewal of His mercies. Lamentations 3:22-23 beautifully captures this theme: "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 sun's rising is also a metaphor for the coming of the Messiah and the hope of salvation. Malachi 4:2 prophesies, "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."

Theological Implications:

Theologically, the imagery of the sun rising underscores the sovereignty and constancy of God. Just as the sun rises unfailingly each day, so too does God's presence and His promises remain steadfast. This is reflected in Psalm 113:3 : "From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the LORD is to be praised."

Furthermore, the east, or the direction of the sunrising, holds eschatological significance. In Matthew 24:27 , Jesus speaks of His return: "For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man."

Cultural and Historical Context:

In the ancient Near Eastern context, the sun was often associated with deities and divine power. However, the Bible consistently emphasizes that the sun is a creation of the one true God, who alone is to be worshiped. This is evident in Genesis 1:16 , where God creates the sun: "God made two great lights—the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars."

In summary, "sunrising" in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol of God's enduring faithfulness, the hope of redemption, and the assurance of His divine order in creation.1. (n.) The first appearance of the sun above the horizon in the morning; more generally, the time of such appearance, whether in fair or cloudy weather; as, to begin work at sunrise.

2. (n.) Hence, the region where the sun rises; the east.

SUNRISING

sun'-riz-ing: A frequent designationin the Old Testament for the East (Numbers 21:11 Deuteronomy 4:41, 47 Joshua 1:15, etc.). In Revelation 7:2, the Revised Version (British and American) has "sunrising" for the King James Version "east."

4217. mizrach -- place of sunrise, the east
... the east NASB Word Usage east (41), east side (2), east side* (2), east* (9), eastern
(2), eastward (5), rising (6), sunrise (3), sunrise* (3), sunrising (1). ...
/hebrew/4217.htm - 6k

How Christians are the Spiritual Israel.
... John speaks as follows: [4456] "And I saw another angel ascending from the sunrising,
having the seal of the living God, and he cried with a loud voice to the ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of john/1 how christians are the.htm

February 11. "Strengthened with all Might unto all Patience" (Col. ...
... cease from yielding fruit. Let us set our faces toward the sunrising and
use the clouds that come, to make rainbows. Not much longer ...
/.../simpson/days of heaven upon earth /february 11 strengthened with all.htm

Simeon
... He was now ready to depart. He had arrived at the house where the chamber of peace
looks towards the sunrising: why should he return to the warfare again? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/simeon.htm

"Alas for Us, if Thou Wert All, and Nought Beyond, O Earth"
... Is there no manna in the wilderness? Are there no streams in the desert? Are
there no streaks of light to herald our eternal sunrising? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/alas for us if thou.htm

The Dayspring from on High
... the Sun of Righteousness. The picturesque old English word 'dayspring'
means neither more nor less than sunrising. And it is here ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the dayspring from on high.htm

Of the Law.
... Instead of the divine service confined to one place, He has commanded and appointed
that He should be glorified from sunrising to sunsetting in every place of ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv of the law.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... betook themselves to rest. The pilgrim they laid in a large upper chamber,
whose window opened toward the sunrising. The name of ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the pilgrims progress.htm

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.". ...
/s/sunrising.htm - 12k

Sun-rising (14 Occurrences)
Sun-rising. Sunrising, Sun-rising. Suns . Multi-Version Concordance Sun-rising
(14 Occurrences). ... (YLT). Sunrising, Sun-rising. Suns . Reference Bible.
/s/sun-rising.htm - 10k

Zeb'ulun (41 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:27 And it turned toward the sunrising to Beth-dagon, and reached to Zebulun
and to the valley of Iphtahel northward at Beth-emek and Neiel; and it ...
/z/zeb'ulun.htm - 16k

Reacheth (23 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:27 And turneth toward the sunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to Zebulun,
and to the valley of Jiphthahel toward the north side of Bethemek, and ...
/r/reacheth.htm - 13k

Sunrise (25 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Alt. of Sunrising. Multi-Version Concordance
Sunrise (25 Occurrences). Mark 16:2 So, very soon after ...
/s/sunrise.htm - 13k

Turns (80 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:27 And it turned toward the sunrising to Beth-dagon, and reached to Zebulun
and to the valley of Iphtahel northward at Beth-emek and Neiel; and it ...
/t/turns.htm - 28k

Rising (162 Occurrences)
... Revelation 7:2 And I saw another angel ascend from the sunrising, having the seal
of the living God: and he cried with a great voice to the four angels to whom ...
/r/rising.htm - 36k

Turneth (249 Occurrences)
... Joshua 19:27 And turneth toward the sunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to Zebulun,
and to the valley of Jiphthahel toward the north side of Bethemek, and ...
/t/turneth.htm - 38k

Nei'el (1 Occurrence)
... Joshua 19:27 And it turned toward the sunrising to Beth-dagon, and reached to Zebulun
and to the valley of Iphtahel northward at Beth-emek and Neiel; and it ...
/n/nei'el.htm - 6k

Overtook (35 Occurrences)
... 20:43 They inclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trod them down
at their resting-place, as far as over against Gibeah toward the sunrising. ...
/o/overtook.htm - 17k

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