WEST. For any nation occupying a Palestinian homeland the W has a threefold significance. (1) It is the direction in which the sun sets; hence Heb. מָבﯴא, H4427, sunset, Gr. δυσμή, G1553, for W. (2) It is the direction in which the sea lies; hence Heb. יָם, H3542, sea, also used for W. (3) In consequence, it is also the direction from which come the rain-bearing winds. Thus in Luke 12:54 a westerly wind is commonly agreed to augur the onset of rain; cf. Elijah’s experience on Mt. Carmel (1 Kings 18:44).

Ceremonially, the W was neither more nor less important than other compass points in the life of Israel, most Biblical layouts being based on the “foursquare” pattern, in which people or structures surrounded a focal point.