East: (1.) The orient (mizrah); the rising of the sun. Thus "the east country" is the country lying to the east of Syria, the Elymais (Zech. 8:7).

(2). Properly what is in front of one, or a country that is before or in front of another; the rendering of the word "kedem". In pointing out the quarters, a Hebrew always looked with his face toward the east. The word "kedem" is used when the four quarters of the world are described (Gen. 13:14; 28:14); and "mizrah" when the east only is distinguished from the west (Josh. 11:3; Ps. 50:1; 103:12, etc.). In Gen. 25:6 "eastward" is literally "unto the land of kedem;" i.e., the lands lying east of Israel, namely, Arabia, Mesopotamia, etc.