In another recent blog post, this time covering the topic of Gog and Magog, Michael Heiser focuses on the concept of "the north", which he says is the Hebrew word tsaapphohn. He doesn't mention that the first word translated in some Bibles as "north", found in Gen. 14:15, is the Hebrew word sh'm'ohl, which also means "left". This correlation stems from the fact that directions in Scripture are based on the perspective of facing east toward the rising sun. This is the perspective YHWH would have when seated upon the mercy seat in the holy of holies. Facing east, north is to the left. For this reason, one may attach most of the observations Heiser makes regarding "north" and tsaapphohn with sh'm'ohl and "left". This concept can be seen in play in Yeishuua`'s "Parable of the Sheep and the Goats", (Mt. 25:41) with the goats (associated with "the devil and his demons") described as being on the King's "left hand", which can be understood as on the north side.
This overlooked association aside, I agree with the general perspective Heiser brings to the discussion of "the north" and it's positional relationship with YHWH's prophetic enemies. The point that I take issue with is what he says about Antiochus IV Epiphanes attacking "from the north". While A4E was certainly from the north (bringing all the prophetic baggage that entails), he attacked Jerusalem from the SOUTH. He was in Egypt in the midst of a successful war against the Ptolemys, when a representative of the Romans showed up and demanded that A4E immediately turn around and return home, famously drawing a circle in the dirt around A4E and insisting that he give his reply to Rome's demand before he stepped across the line. Feeling enraged and humiliated at having his victory snuffed out, it was very soon thereafter that he received a message about an internecine Jewish "revolt" that he interpreted as a revolt against him. The actions for which he is most infamous (desecrating the temple) resulted from his state of mind at that time as he passed through Judea from the South on his way back home to Syria.
These details can be found in 1 & 2 Maccabees. It might seem a small detail, but it is nevertheless a critical fact that carries its own prophetic significance.
