The Greek noun ἀνατολή (anatolē) primarily means “rising” or “east.” It is derived from the verb ἀνατέλλω (anatellō), which means “to rise” or “to dawn.” The term can refer to the rising of celestial bodies, such as the sun, and is often used to denote the direction of the east, where the sun rises.

Detailed Overview

According to Strong’s Concordance, ἀνατολή (G395) is used in the New Testament to describe the concept of the rising of the sun or the direction of the east. For instance, in Matthew 2:1-2, it is used in the context of the “east” or “orient” where the Magi saw the star, indicating the direction from which they came. This reflects the term’s use in indicating the direction associated with the sunrise.

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The Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich (BDAG) Greek-English Lexicon expands on this by noting that ἀνατολή can refer to both the literal rising of celestial bodies and metaphorically to the concept of the east or the dawn of a new period. BDAG highlights its use in various contexts where the rising or beginning of something is implied, including the broader concept of the east as a direction.

The Liddell-Scott-Jones (LSJ) Greek-English Lexicon supports this interpretation, describing ἀνατολή as relating to the act of rising, particularly in the context of the sun or celestial bodies, and the direction of the east. The lexicon emphasizes its application in both literal and metaphorical contexts, including its use to denote the beginning of a new phase or the geographic direction.

In summary, ἀνατολή primarily means “rising” or “east,” reflecting both the literal rise of celestial bodies and the directional concept associated with the east. This understanding is consistently supported by Strong’s Concordance, BDAG, and LSJ, each providing context for its use in describing the rising of the sun and the directional significance of the east in biblical and classical Greek literature.