Charles Ellicott Commentary Exodus 27:13

"And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits." — Exodus 27:13 (ASV)

On the east side eastward. —Rather, in front, towards the east. Both the tabernacle and the Temple faced to the east, which was regarded as “the front of the world” by Eastern peoples generally. The belief was probably connected with the sun’s rising, towards which people in early times looked anxiously. It was, however, a belief quite separate from sun-worship.