God ordered that when the tabernacle was set up, the gate was always to be on the east end, opening to the west. Going west symbolizes moving toward God. Going east symbolizes going away from God. ... In contrast, the holy of holies, the dwelling place of God in the tabernacle, was on the west end of the courtyard.

Why did Solomon's temple face east?

The temple had chariots of the sun (2 Kings 23:11) and temple worshipers would face east and bow to the sun. ... It says the Ark contained the Ten Commandments and was moved from Kiriath Jearim to Jerusalem by David before being moved into Solomon's temple.

What is significant about the east?

East is the direction toward which the Earth rotates about its axis, and therefore the general direction from which the Sun appears to rise. The practice of praying towards the East is older than Christianity, but has been adopted by this religion as the Orient was thought of as containing mankind's original home.