Easter: golden eggs and rabbits and the rising sun

Revelation 2:12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; [kjv]

και τω αγγελω της εν περγαμω εκκλησιας γραψον ταδε λεγει ο εχων την ρομφαιαν την διστομον την οξειαν [gnt]

Many customs originated from the Tower of Babel and Babylon which then went to Pergamus and then to Rome and then to the rest of the world.

Sunset to sunset: Hebrews, Germanic cultures. (Christmas Eve)
Midnight to midnight: Greece, Rome.

Spring (renewal, planting, Easter)
Summer (growing)
Fall (harvest, fruit, Halloween)
Winter (Saturnalia, Christmas, Hanukkah)

[linguistic connections, papyrus vs. parchment, underground pipes]

Some people went north and west, as ended the Germanic tribes with customs of the winter solstice tree.

More: Genesis 1: Evening and morning

The Greek for "two edged sword" means, literally, "two mouthed sword" as in "let my sword do the talking".

More: A peace of the mouth of the sword

More: Romans: Under the law as in sewer pipes

More: Traditions from Babel to Pergamus to Rome

He died last fry day.

Thank God he wasn't beaten.

Don't worry. He went over easy.

He's now on the sunny side.

He's definitely in a better plate.

So much for the undertaking of some flat egg yolks egg-press-ly for you.

The modern Greek word for "dawn" as «αυγά» and "egg" as «αυγό» are related.

Here are some flat egg yolks egg-press-ly for you.

Are eggs what they are cracked up to be? Especially at the crack of dawn.

Young eggs going to school need to study for their eggs-ham.

Do you find Easter egg-citing? That's egg-actly what I am asking.

Have you heard enough of egg yolks yet?

Judges 2:13 And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. [kjv]

και εγκατελιπον τον κυριον και ελατρευσαν τη βααλ και ταις ασταρταις [lxx]

… Baal … Astharoth [v]

The spring equinox was a time of awaking celebrated by fertility rights, typically involving eggs, bunnies, etc. These pagan customs originated in Babylon and from Babel.

Pagans worshiped the sun as in the "golden egg" of "Astarte". This is "Astorith" in the OT (Old Testament) and is related to the rising sun and the word "east".

*H6252 עַשׁתָּרוֹת עַשׁתָּרוֹת (ash-taw-roth') : or bAshtaroth {ash-taw-roth'}; plural of H6251 עַשׁתְּרָה; Ashtaroth, the name of a Sidonian deity, and of a place East of the Jordan:--Asharoth, Astaroth.

*H6251 עַשׁתְּרָה (ash-ter-aw') : probably from H6238 עָשַׁר; increase:--flock.

*H6238 עָשַׁר (aw-shar') : a primitive root; properly, to accumulate; chiefly (specifically) to grow (causatively, make) rich:--be(-come, en-, make, make self, wax) rich, make (1 Kings 22:48 marg). See 6240.

The ancient Greek word "Ἀστάρτη" ≈ "Astarte" which went to Latin word "Astarte" ≈ "Astarte" which went to the English word "Astarte". This word is a doublet of Ashtoreth (in the HOT (Hebrew Old Testament)) and "Ishtar". These are Semitic goddesses and associated with fertility and related ideas.

1 Samuel 7:4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only. [kjv]

και περιειλον οι υιοι ισραηλ τας βααλιμ και τα αλση ασταρωθ και εδουλευσαν κυριω μονω [lxx]

… Baalim … Astharoth … [v]

*H6251 עַשׁתְּרָה (ash-ter-aw') : probably from H6238 עָשַׁר; increase:--flock.

Judges 2:13 And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. [kjv]

και εγκατελιπον τον κυριον και ελατρευσαν τη βααλ και ταις ασταρταις [lxx]

… Baal … Astharoth [v]

Note: The connection between Astarte/Astorith and Easter appears to be that both originated (independently) with the rising of the sun in the East the associated concept of fertility and a new beginning.

Thus, the Germanic origins (which had Semitic origins) of Easter and the Persian origins of Astarte/Astorith appear to derive from the same general concepts.

Night to night instead of midnight to midnight.
Verb conjugations.

Judges 2:13

All

KJV: And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.

Hebrew: ויעזבו את יהוה ויעבדו לבעל ולעשתרות׃

Greek: και εγκατελιπον τον κυριον και ελατρευσαν τη βααλ και ταις ασταρταις

Latin: dimittentes eum et servientes Baal et Astharoth

Slavonic: и оставиша Его, и послужиша Ваалу и Астартом.

Judges 10:6 And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him. [kjv]

και προσεθεντο οι υιοι ισραηλ ποιησαι το πονηρον εναντι κυριου και ελατρευσαν ταις βααλιμ και ταις ασταρωθ και τοις θεοις σιδωνος και τοις θεοις μωαβ και τοις θεοις υιων αμμων και τοις θεοις των αλλοφυλων και εγκατελιπον τον κυριον και ουκ εδουλευσαν αυτω [lxx]

Judges 10:6

All

KJV: And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.

Hebrew: ויספו בני ישראל לעשות הרע בעיני יהוה ויעבדו את הבעלים ואת העשתרות ואת אלהי ארם ואת אלהי צידון ואת אלהי מואב ואת אלהי בני עמון ואת אלהי פלשתים ויעזבו את יהוה ולא עבדוהו׃

Greek: και προσεθεντο οι υιοι ισραηλ ποιησαι το πονηρον εναντι κυριου και ελατρευσαν ταις βααλιμ και ταις ασταρωθ και τοις θεοις σιδωνος και τοις θεοις μωαβ και τοις θεοις υιων αμμων και τοις θεοις των αλλοφυλων και εγκατελιπον τον κυριον και ουκ εδουλευσαν αυτω

1 Samuel 7:4 Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only. [kjv]

και περιειλον οι υιοι ισραηλ τας βααλιμ και τα αλση ασταρωθ και εδουλευσαν κυριω μονω [lxx]

… Baalim … Astharoth … [v]

1 Samuel 7:4

All

KJV: Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.

Hebrew: ויסירו בני ישראל את הבעלים ואת העשתרת ויעבדו את יהוה לבדו׃

Greek: και περιειλον οι υιοι ισραηλ τας βααλιμ και τα αλση ασταρωθ και εδουλευσαν κυριω μονω

Latin: abstulerunt ergo filii Israhel Baalim et Astharoth et servierunt Domino soli

Slavonic: И отвергоша сынове Израилевы Ваалима и дубравы Астарофа, и поработаша Господу единому.

1 Samuel 31:8 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa. [kjv]

και εγενηθη τη επαυριον και ερχονται οι αλλοφυλοι εκδιδυσκειν τους νεκρους και ευρισκουσιν τον σαουλ και τους τρεις υιους αυτου πεπτωκοτας επι τα ορη γελβουε [lxx]

… Philisthim … [v]

Astoreth is mentioned in the story about the end of Saul.

One of the sons was Jonathon, who was about 18 years older than David.

About 150 AD, the Roman emperor Hadrian, known for Hadrian's Wall in Britain, would name the area Palestine from the Latin name of the traditional enemies of the Jews, the Philistines.

More: Dagon: Hebrew word for fish

Luke 21:24 And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. [kjv]

και πεσουνται στοματι μαχαιρης και αιχμαλωτισθησονται εις τα εθνη παντα και ιερουσαλημ εσται πατουμενη υπο εθνων αχρι ου πληρωθωσιν και εσονται καιροι εθνων [gnt]

The Hebrew word "פלשתים" (pe-lis-tim) ≈ "of the Philistines".

After putting down the last of many Jewish revolts in Judea, Roman Emperor Hadrian (76-138 AD) decided that enough was enough. Hadrian forced the Jews in Judea to be more like Greeks (Helenized) or leave.

More: Luke 21:24-28 Perplexed with problems with impossible solutions

Jeremiah 47:1 The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza. [kjv]

… פלשתים … [he]

επι τους αλλοφυλους [lxx]

… Palestinos … [v]

Hadrian then named the area after their traditional enemies the Philistines. The Latin word "Palestinia" ≈ "Palestine" which is the Latin name for the Philistines (Josephus, etc.).

More: Dagon: Hebrew word for fish

Jeremiah 47:1

All

KJV: The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against the Philistines, before that Pharaoh smote Gaza.

Hebrew: אשר היה דבר יהוה אל ירמיהו הנביא אל פלשתים בטרם יכה פרעה את עזה׃

Greek: επι τους αλλοφυλους

Latin: quod factum est verbum Domini ad Hieremiam prophetam contra Palestinos antequam percuteret Pharao Gazam

1 Samuel 31:8

All

KJV: And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa.

Hebrew: ויהי ממחרת ויבאו פלשתים לפשט את החללים וימצאו את שאול ואת שלשת בניו נפלים בהר הגלבע׃

Greek: και εγενηθη τη επαυριον και ερχονται οι αλλοφυλοι εκδιδυσκειν τους νεκρους και ευρισκουσιν τον σαουλ και τους τρεις υιους αυτου πεπτωκοτας επι τα ορη γελβουε

Latin: facta autem die altera venerunt Philisthim ut spoliarent interfectos et invenerunt Saul et tres filios eius iacentes in monte Gelboe

1 Samuel 31:9 And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people. [kjv]

και αποστρεφουσιν αυτον και εξεδυσαν τα σκευη αυτου και αποστελλουσιν αυτα εις γην αλλοφυλων κυκλω ευαγγελιζοντες τοις ειδωλοις αυτων και τω λαω αυτων [lxx]

… Philisthinorum … [v]

1 Samuel 31:9

All

KJV: And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people.

Hebrew: ויכרתו את ראשו ויפשיטו את כליו וישלחו בארץ פלשתים סביב לבשר בית עצביהם ואת העם׃

Greek: και αποστρεφουσιν αυτον και εξεδυσαν τα σκευη αυτου και αποστελλουσιν αυτα εις γην αλλοφυλων κυκλω ευαγγελιζοντες τοις ειδωλοις αυτων και τω λαω αυτων

Latin: et praeciderunt caput Saul et expoliaverunt eum armis et miserunt in terram Philisthinorum per circuitum ut adnuntiaretur in templo idolorum et in populis

Slavonic: и обратиша его, и сняша оружие его, и отсекоша главу его, и послаша в землю иноплеменничу окрест возвещающе идолом их и людем их:

Russian: И [поворотили его и] отсекли ему голову, и сняли с него оружие и послали по всей земле Филистимской, чтобы возвестить о сем в капищах идолов своих и народу;

1 Samuel 31:9 And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people. [kjv]

… Philisthinorum … [v]

… Филистимской… [rus]

… иноплеменничу … [ocs]

Note how the OCS (Old Church Slavonic) which follows the LXX (Septuagint) where "other tribe" is used, becomes the "Philistines" in the modern Russian.

1 Samuel 31:10 And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. [kjv]

και ανεθηκαν τα σκευη αυτου εις το ασταρτειον και το σωμα αυτου κατεπηξαν εν τω τειχει βαιθσαν [lxx]

… Astharoth … [v]

1 Samuel 31:10

All

KJV: And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan.

Hebrew: וישמו את כליו בית עשתרות ואת גויתו תקעו בחומת בית שן׃

Greek: και ανεθηκαν τα σκευη αυτου εις το ασταρτειον και το σωμα αυτου κατεπηξαν εν τω τειχει βαιθσαν

Latin: et posuerunt arma eius in templo Astharoth corpus vero eius suspenderunt in muro Bethsan

Slavonic: и положиша оружие его у Астарта, тело же его воткнуша на стене Вефсамли.

At the Constitutional Convention, George Washington used a chair for almost three months of meetings.
Near the end, in discussions, Benjamin Franklin (American scientist, inventor, philosopher, statesman) made the comments "I have often looked at that [chair] behind the president without being able to tell whether it was rising or setting. But now I… know that it is a rising… sun.".

This is the problem with anticipating any transition. Is it going to get better, get worse or stay about the same?

More: Benjamin Franklin

Ezekiel 8:14 Then he brought me to the door of the gate of the LORD'S house which was toward the north; and, behold, there sat women weeping for Tammuz. [kjv]

και εισηγαγεν με επι τα προθυρα της πυλης οικου κυριου της βλεπουσης προς βορραν και ιδου εκει γυναικες καθημεναι θρηνουσαι τον θαμμουζ [lxx]

Many Christmas traditions have pagan roots going back to Babylon and the Tower of Babel.

Tammuz is the child of Semiramis, wife of Nimrod. Tammuz symbolizes death and rebirth in nature and is celebrated at the Winter solstice be a yule log and then decking a tree the next morning. Tammuz worship is mentioned in Ezekiel.

More: Traditions from Babel to Pergamus to Rome

Numbers 2:32 These are those which were numbered of the children of Israel by the house of their fathers: all those that were numbered of the camps throughout their hosts were six hundred thousand and three thousand and five hundred and fifty. [kjv]

The book of Numbers is named for the detailed census appearing in Numbers 2. The details can be boring but are part of an "algorithm" provided by God for their camp in the desert.
If the Israelites in the desert had followed the "algorithm" provided by God as how to precisely camp, their camp would have been laid out in the shape of a cross from the point of view of the "rising sun" in the morning.

Notice the top-down nature of the reporting with the summary totals first and then the details.

More: Numbers 2:1-34 Algorithms and the camp of Israel

Rabbits tend to multiply very rapidly.

The tradition of the "Easter rabbit" or "Easter bunny" has pagan origins in fertility rites going back to Babylon.
The land of Spain on the Iberian Peninsula comes from the "Land of rabbits" or "Iberia" or "Ispania".
Magicians deceive the mind and the eye in order to put the rabbit into the hat. This allows them to appear to pull a rabbit out of a hat.

The Fibonacci sequence (1202) in mathematics has origins in the counting of rabbits as they multiply.

The Fibonacci sequence is related to the golden ratio, golden rectangles, etc.

The sequence starts with two 1's. Each following term is the sum of the previous two terms.

1 1 2 3 5 8 13 21 34 55 ...

More: Fibonacci sequence and golden ratio

The "Fibonacci sequence" and associated "Golden Ratio" appears often in nature, must be precisely tuned, and has many implication for a created universe.

Details are left as a future topic.

More: Fibonacci sequence and golden ratio

The modern tradition of the "Easter rabbit" or "Easter bunny" or "Easter hare" originates from the German Lutherans.

This original "Easter bunny" was a judge who decided, at the start of "Eastertide", whether children were good or bad.

Aristotle says that to properly use logic, one should define all words. He then proceeds with the definition of a definition.

The German word "Osterfest" ≈ "Eastertide" as in the "Easter" and "festival".

Some of these ideas may have pagan origins in fertility rites going back to Babylon as rabbits multiply quickly.
This is true of the "egg" but not as clear in regards to the "rabbit" or "bunny".

There are many bunny rabbit jokes. They tend to multiply.

To sum it up, many children these days have sum trouble with multiplication. There is a difference of opinion, but times are tough. And their troubles are multiplying. Does that add up? What does the remainder say about what is left over?

More: Lent, Ash Wednesday, Fastnacht Day, Mardi Gras

The land of Spain on the Iberian Peninsula comes from the "Land of rabbits" or "Iberia" or Ispania".

The Greeks called it "Hesperia" as in a garden visited by Hercules and from which, through Latin, comes the English word "vespers".
The Carthaginians (Hannibal, etc.) called it "Ispania" from the local name for "rabbit".
The Romans adapted the name in Latin as "Hispania".
Latin developed into Spanish where the name is "España" (as the leading "h" sound disappeared).

More: Vespers in the west at evening

To pull a rabbit out of the hat, the magician must deceive the eye and the mind in order to put the rabbit into the hat.
There are many ways to divert the attention of those in the audience in order to accomplish this trick of deception.

Some pastors will do this by focusing attention on part of a verse (e.g., details of the original Greek) to draw attention away from other parts of that verse or nearby verses. Some pastors will make a stupid joke to get the audience to laugh and then quickly skip over a verse that does not agree with their political or social change leanings.

When one starts to look at the entire context of the verses, things may not look as clear as portrayed.

Acts 12:4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. [kjv]

ον και πιασας εθετο εις φυλακην παραδους τεσσαρσιν τετραδιοις στρατιωτων φυλασσειν αυτον βουλομενος μετα το πασχα αναγαγειν αυτον τω λαω [gnt]

The word "Easter" appears once in the KJV (King James Version), in the book of Acts. This one instance sometimes causes controversy and arguments.

In the verse, Peter has just been put into prison.

From where does the word Easter originate?

Acts 12:4

All

KJV: And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.

Hebrew: ויאחז אתו ויתנהו במשמר וימסרהו לארבע מחלקות של ארבעה אנשי צבא לשמרו כי אמר להעלותו אחרי הפסח לפני העם׃

Greek: ον και πιασας εθετο εις φυλακην παραδους τεσσαρσιν τετραδιοις στρατιωτων φυλασσειν αυτον βουλομενος μετα το πασχα αναγαγειν αυτον τω λαω

Latin: quem cum adprehendisset misit in carcerem tradens quattuor quaternionibus militum custodire eum volens post pascha producere eum populo

Wycliffe: And whanne he hadde cauyte Petre, he sente hym in to prisoun; and bitook to foure quaternyouns of knyytis, to kepe hym, and wolde aftir pask bringe hym forth to the puple.

Tyndale: And when he had caught him he put him in preson and delyvered him to. iiii. quaternios of soudiers to be kepte entendynge after ester to brynge him forth to the people.

Luther: Da er ihn nun griff, legte er ihn ins Gefängnis und überantwortete ihn vier Vierteilen Kriegsknechten, ihn zu bewahren, und gedachte, ihn nach Ostern dem Volk vorzustellen.

Slavonic: егоже и емь всади в темницу, предав четырем четверицам воинов стрещи его, хотя по Пасце извести его к людем.

Russian: и, задержав его, посадил в темницу, и приказал четырем четверицам воинов стеречь его, намереваясь после Пасхи вывести его к народу.

Spanish: Y habiéndole prendido, le puso en la cárcel, entregándole a cuatro cuadrillas de soldados para que le guardasen; queriendo sacarle al pueblo después de la pascua.

One can compare the "rising sun" with the resurrection and the "rising son".

The German word "der Sohn" ≈ "son".
The German word "die Sonne" ≈ "sun".

The English word is "east" which leads to "Easter".
The German word is "Ost" which leads to "Ostern".
Spanish "este" ≈ "east".
The Gothic word is "austar".

So we get the words for Easter from the rising sun in the east. In German it is "Ostern".

In ancient times, a map would commonly be "oriented" towards the rising sun, the east.

The Latin: "orientis" ≈ "east"

Is putting "East" at the top of the map confusing?

The "far east" is the "orient". China is in the orient, to the east of Europe.

Today, we orient a map with north at the top. How is your mind effected by orientation?

How do you prefer the map to be oriented when using a GPS (Global Positioning System)? Do you prefer "north" at the top or the direction you are facing at the top?

Note the position of the church where north points up and consider one standing in the lobby at the entrance.

The "West sanctuary" is about 30 degrees south of west. It is closer to "south-west" than "west".
The "South sanctuary" is about 30 degrees east of south. It is closer to "south-east" than "east".

Being 30 degrees off on a compass is like being 1 hour off on an analog clock. 12*30=360

Discuss: How important is it to have the physical directions in a church accurate if people are coming to the church for spiritual direction?

Physical compass
Moral compass
Spiritual compass

How important is it that these are pointing in the right direction? If not, the further you go the further off course you get.

Did Jesus spend three days and three nights in the grave? How many hours are there in a day?

John 11:9 Jesus answered, Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this world. [kjv]

απεκριθη ιησους ουχι δωδεκα εισιν ωραι εισιν της ημερας εαν τις περιπατη εν τη ημερα ου προσκοπτει οτι το φως του κοσμου τουτου βλεπει [gnt]

Many younger people today have trouble reading analog clocks. Would you want to use a second hand clock? Does anyone really know what time it is? (song by Robert Lamm, made popular by the music group Chicago)

What is the next line?

Does anyone really care?

Now for a timely remark: Would you wear a second hand watch?

If not, just wait a minute.

More: John 9:23-25 One thing I know is that I know nothing

The Greek word «ανατειλη» for "arise" is related to the Greek word «ανατολη» which means "east".

The area of "Anatole" is that of eastern Turkey or, in the GNT (Greek New Testament) times, "Asia".

The "rising sun" of the "east" is also associated with the resurrection.

Matthew 9:38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest. [kjv]

biddað … [wes]

bidjith … [got]

The Old English word "biddan" ≈ "ask, demand" and is the source of English words such as "bid", "bidding", "bead" an it prayer beads, etc. This word was combined/conflated with the Old English word "beodan" ≈ "offer, announce".
The monk Beade, whose name meant "prayer", starting dating events using the (incorrect dating system for the) birth of Christ. This calendar dating system is still used today. Beade used the term "Easter" and it appears to have been used ever since.

5:42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. [kjv]

… bidde… [wes]

… bidjandin … [got]

More: Prayer beads, Beade, and year dates

The Russian word "восток" (bos-tok) ≈ "east" has the German "Ost" in it.
The Russian city of Vladivostok literally means the "power" of the "east" where Vladimir, a Russian name combining power and peace, is a common name in Russian.

The Russian prefix "B" has the connotation of "to" or "towards".

The word "east" has an interesting etymology.

More: East

The Russian word "Воскресенье" (vos-kre-shen-i-a) ≈ "Sunday" is the "Lord's Day" or, literally, "Resurrection Day" and starts with the Russian prefix for "east".

Matthew 5:26 Verily I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing. [kjv]

αμην λεγω σοι ου μη εξελθης εκειθεν εως αν αποδως τον εσχατον κοδραντην [gnt]

The Hebrew word "amen" has been translated as a transliteration into almost every language on the planet (that has a Bible in their language). The meaning is that of affirming "it is so" and can appear at the beginning, middle or end of a sentence. Saying that "amen" means "so be it" tends to place the "amen" at the end of the sentence.

The Hebrew root has a connotation of "right" as in right-hand side which historically was considered the stronger side. The connotation of direction, when facing the rising sun (in the northern hemisphere) was that of "south" while "north" was considered more sinister and "evil" as in "bad". This idea was often associated with the tribe of Dan and with the snake (serpent) and, later, the eagle (bird of prey).

More: Verily, a true beginning and amen

We often see or perceive things that are not actually there. Do you see the triangle?

There is no triangle! Your brain makes the triangle that you see. The eye just passed along the image information to the brain which organizes ind recognizes it.
Abstraction involves looking at similarities and differences and filling in missing details - sometimes appropriately, sometimes inappropriately. This abstraction can be used to deceive by providing some details but leaving other details to be filled in by unsuspecting listeners or viewers.

More: Kanizsa triangle: seeing what is not there

The name "Passover" comes from the night before the Hebrews departed from Egypt and the angel of death "passed over" them (if they did what they were supposed to have done).

The Hebrew word "פסח" (pe-sach) ≈ "passover".

Most languages, with the notable exceptions of English and German, use a name that originates in the Hebrew for "Passover".

The English name for "Easter" is based, not on "Passover", but on "east" which is related to the golden egg (sun, fertility, etc.) of "Astarte".

More: Exodus 12: Passover

Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. [kjv]

καθ οσον απεχουσιν ανατολαι απο δυσμων εμακρυνεν αφ ημων τας ανομιας ημων [lxx]

… caelum terra … [v]

… Morgen … Abend… [lu]

The earth is finite, not infinite.

How far is the "north" from the "south"?
How far is the "east" from the "west"?

But how can this be?

Psalms 103:12

All

KJV: As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

Hebrew: כרחק מזרח ממערב הרחיק ממנו את פשעינו׃

Greek: καθ οσον απεχουσιν ανατολαι απο δυσμων εμακρυνεν αφ ημων τας ανομιας ημων

Latin: quantum enim excelsius est caelum terra tantum confortata est misericordia eius super timentes eum

Luther: So ferne der Morgen ist vom Abend, lässet er unsere Übertretung von uns sein.

Spanish: Cuanto está lejos el oriente del occidente, hizo alejar de nosotros nuestras rebeliones.

Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. [kjv]

καθ οσον απεχουσιν ανατολαι απο δυσμων εμακρυνεν αφ ημων τας ανομιας ημων [lxx]

… caelum terra … [v]

… Morgen … Abend… [lu]

The LXX Greek has east and west, though the words can mean morning and evening.

The Latin Vulgate has heaven and earth instead of east and west.

The Latin word "caelum" ≈ "heaven".
The Latin word "terra" ≈ "earth".

The Luther German has morning and evening instead of east and west.

The German word "Morgan" ≈ "morning".
The German word "Abend" ≈ "evening".

Psalms 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. [kjv]

καθ οσον απεχουσιν ανατολαι απο δυσμων εμακρυνεν αφ ημων τας ανομιας ημων [lxx]

The words to "In Christ there is no east or west" were written by English poet/author William Arthur Dunkerley (1852-1941) in 1908 for an exhibition in London for the theme "the orient in London".
The Latin word "orientem" ≈ "east" and is the source of the English word "orient". At one time, the top of maps were the direction east.

It was published in 1913, a year before the start of World War I, based on Galatians 3:28. During World War I, his hymn book "Hymns for men at the front" sold 8,000,000 (eight million) copies.

More: Song: In Christ there is no east or west

Luke 24:29 … Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. … [kjv]

και παρεβιασαντο αυτον λεγοντες μεινον μεθ ημων οτι προς εσπεραν εστιν και κεκλικεν ηδη η ημερα και εισηλθεν του μειναι συν αυτοις [gnt]

The garden of Hesperides, visited by Hercules as one of his feats, was in the extreme west (setting sun) from Greece and is the source of the Greek word for "evening" which comes, through Latin, as "vespers". The ancient Greek word for "Spain" was "Hesperia".

The ancient Greek word "ἕσπερος" ≈ "evening" which has a connotation of "west" as in the setting sun. The related English word "west" is related to the Latin word "vesper" ≈ "evening" and the Russian word "вечер" (ve-sher) ≈ "evening".

Since Adam and Eve were expelled towards the east, and Hesperides is to the west, some associate the Garden of Eden with the legend of the Gander of Hesperides.

More: Vespers in the west at evening

More: East

Judges 2:13 And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth. [kjv]

και εγκατελιπον τον κυριον και ελατρευσαν τη βααλ και ταις ασταρταις [lxx]

… Baal … Astharoth [v]

The spring equinox was a time of awaking celebrated by fertility rights, typically involving eggs, bunnies, etc. These pagan customs originated in Babylon and from Babel.

Pagans worshiped the sun as in the "golden egg" of "Astarte". This is "Astorith" in the OT and is related to the rising sun and the word "east".