Set His Face Towards

[Paul Younan]

Shlama Akhay,

In Luqa 9:53, we read the Greek with astonishment:

"....because his face was set toward Jerusalem"

Face was set toward Jerusalem? What does that mean in Greek?

In Semitic idiom, "to set one's face..." means 'to make up one's mind', and is quite frequent in Semitic thought. Reference the following verses:

• Amos 9:4
  
  Jeremiah 3:12
  
  Jeremiah 21:10
  
  Jeremiah 42:15
  
  Jeremiah 44:12
  
  2 Kings 12:17
  
  Daniel 11:17
  
  Ezekiel 6:1
  
  Ezekiel 13:17
  
  Ezekiel 14:8
  
  Ezekiel 15:7
  

Most importantly, this idiom is present in the commentary portion of Luqa. The idiom is also present in verse 51.

[Larry Kelsey]

Shlama Akhi Paul,

Not only is this in verse 53 and verse 51 of Luke 9, but sandwiched in between is the Aramaicism 'before his face' in vs. 52. From John Wesley Etheridge...." And he sent messengers before his face, and they went and entered into a village of the Shomroyee (Samaritans :roll: ), so as to prepare for him."

Shlama w'Burkate, Larry Kelsey