(2). As the rendering of ’erets, it means the whole world (Genesis 1:2); the
land as opposed to the sea (1:10). Erets also denotes a country (21:32); a
plot of ground (23:15); the ground on which a man stands (33:3); the
inhabitants of the earth (6:1; 11:1); all the world except Israel (2 Chronicles
13:9). In the New Testament “the earth” denotes the land of Judea
(Matthew 23:35); also things carnal in contrast with things heavenly (John
3:31; Colossians 3:1, 2).
- EARTHQUAKE mentioned among the extraordinary phenomena of
Palestine (Psalm 18:7; comp. Habakkuk 3:6; Nah. 1:5; Isaiah 5:25).
The first earthquake in Palestine of which we have any record happened in
the reign of Ahab (1 Kings 19:11, 12). Another took place in the days of
Uzziah, King of Judah (Zechariah 14:5). The most memorable earthquake
taking place in New Testament times happened at the crucifixion of our
Lord (Matthew 27:54). An earthquake at Philippi shook the prison in
which Paul and Silas were imprisoned (Act 16:26).
It is used figuratively as a token of the presence of the Lord (Judges 5:4; 2
Samuel 22:8; Psalm 77:18; 97:4; 104:32).
- 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 (Zechariah
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 (Genesis 13:14;
28:14); and mizrah when the east only is distinguished from the west
(Joshua 11:3; Psalm 50:1; 103:12, etc.). In Genesis 25:6 “eastward” is
literally “unto the land of kedem;” i.e., the lands lying east of Palestine,
namely, Arabia, Mesopotamia, etc.
- EAST, CHILDREN OF THE the Arabs as a whole, known as the
Nabateans or Kedarenes, nomad tribes (Judges 6:3,33; 7:12; 8:10). - EASTER originally a Saxon word (Eostre), denoting a goddess of the
Saxons, in honour of whom sacrifices were offered about the time of the
Passover. Hence the name came to be given to the festival of the
Resurrection of Christ, which occured at the time of the Passover. In the
early English versions this word was frequently used as the translation of