west

The first word, ma•a•rav, is used both in the Bible and in modern Hebrew. It comes from the word ‘e•rev,’ which means ‘evening.’ If you are familiar with the basic geography of Israel, you can easily tell why the west is called ma•a•rav. If you are not familiar, we can mention that the Mediterranean Sea is the natural western border of Israel. Since the sun sets in the west, the evening falls when the sun sets into the horizon over the waters of the Mediterranean.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us”

The other biblical term for the west is ‘yam’ (sea).

“The west side also shall be the Great Sea from the border, as far as opposite the entrance to Hamath. This is the west side”