How can wise men from the east see a star in the east?

Answer 1

In the Old Testament, there are 2 expressions for 'the East.' The first is anything on the east side or eastern is termed "what is Before" (meaning the near East). The second is anything FAR to the east or distant as the rising of the sun is termed "rising of the sun" (meaning distant east).

The New Testament account of the Magi in Matthew 2, one who followed the Hebrew quite closely in every way, has 2 expressions in the Greek in like manner as the O.T. examples above. The first to describe areas east of Palestine where Matthew says the Magi are from these 'eastern parts' is the Greek 'ton anatolon' or distant East. The second where the Magi see the star IN the east in the Greek is 'te anatole' which was actually west of where the Magi were but east from the Palestine viewpoint or Near East.

It all comes down to where one is in regards to Palestine at the time. Finally, try to keep in mind that what your are reading if not in the original Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek, you are reading the translators term. This does not always give you the best translation nor does it allow you to easily notice differences in words being used. A Bible tool is a great aide here. Concordances come to mind but Commentaries also shed important distinctions upon terms.