Several words are used to express the East, which imply “going forth,” “rising,” “that which is before,” having reference to the sun and its rising. Nearly all the references in scripture to the East or to other quarters are of course reckoned from Palestine; so that “children of the East,” “men of the East,” point out Assyria, Babylon, etc.
THE EAST WIND was distressing and destructive to vegetation (Gen. 41:6,23,276And, behold, seven thin ears and blasted with the east wind sprung up after them. (Genesis 41:6)
23And, behold, seven ears, withered, thin, and blasted with the east wind, sprung up after them: (Genesis 41:23)
27And the seven thin and ill favored kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine. (Genesis 41:27)); dangerous to vessels at sea (Psa. 48:77Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind. (Psalm 48:7); Ezek. 27:2626Thy rowers have brought thee into great waters: the east wind hath broken thee in the midst of the seas. (Ezekiel 27:26)); and is symbolical of the withering power of God’s judgments (Hos. 13:1515Though he be fruitful among his brethren, an east wind shall come, the wind of the Lord shall come up from the wilderness, and his spring shall become dry, and his fountain shall be dried up: he shall spoil the treasure of all pleasant vessels. (Hosea 13:15)).