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G1424 · Greek · New Testament
δυσμή
dysmē
Noun (feminine)
West / Setting of the Sun

Definition

The Greek noun dysmē (δυσμή, plural dysmai) means 'the west' — literally 'the place of setting' (from dyō, 'to sink/set'). It appears in Matthew 8:11, 24:27; Luke 12:54, 13:29; and Revelation 21:13, consistently describing the western direction in geographic or eschatological contexts.

Usage & Theological Significance

The dysmē (west) carries significant eschatological weight in Jesus' teaching. In Matthew 8:11, Jesus declares that 'many will come from the east and the west' to sit at the feast in the kingdom of God — signaling the universal scope of the Gospel and the inclusion of Gentiles. In Matthew 24:27, Jesus uses the lightning 'from east to west' as a metaphor for the unmistakable visibility of His Second Coming — there will be no secret return, no hidden corner. The compass points in Scripture consistently point toward the global reach of God's redemptive purposes: His kingdom has no geographic boundaries.

Key Bible Verses

Matthew 8:11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Matthew 24:27 For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
Luke 13:29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.
Revelation 21:13 There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west.
Psalm 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

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