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While we are looking at Hebrews 12:2 it may be a good time to look at another part of the verse as well.
whilst reading the folowing,

I believe we have tended to miss the real significance of what happened on the Mount of Transfiguration. This is partly because of an unfortunate translation of one word in Hebrews 12:2. The Authorized Version, which I find still the most satisfying version of them all, has these words, "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, ] despising the shame. . ." I imagine that most readers of this verse have assumed that in some way the agony, both spiritual and physical, of the events surrounding the crucifixion were anticipated by the Lord with a strange kind of "joy" because of what He knew that agony would in the end achieve for those He came to save. Perhaps this is true, though I honestly doubt whether it is the truth intended in this passage of Scripture.

From...

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I noticed that the author suggests that instead of the joy set before Him seems to make more sense than for the joy set before Him.

Victor Alexander goes with instead


We gaze upon Jesus who was the beginning and the fulfillment of faith, who instead of the joy that He possessed, He proffered the Crucifix, conquered its humiliation and sat at the right of the throne of God.

Etheridge goes with for.


. And let us look unto Jeshu, who hath become the chief and the perfecter of our faith; who, for the joy that was before him, endured the cross, and unto shame delivered himself, and at the right hand of the throne of Aloha hath sat down. .

And Murdock puts on account of

And let us look on Jesus, who hath become the commencement and the completion of our faith; who, on account of the joy there was for him, endured the cross, and surrendered himself to opprobrium; and is seated on the right hand of the throne of God.

Peshitto.com gives the meaning as for or [i]instead[/b], but I tend to agree with arthur C. Custance that instead makes a lot more sense.

Any thoughts?

Larry Kelsey

Shlama Akhi Michael,

This one looks kinda tough. The linguistic and theological considerations of both 'for' and 'instead of' leaves me with a hard call to make. The 'instead of' theme has a 2-to-1 victory in CAL if that helps us to decide. <!-- sSmile --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/smile.gif" alt="Smile" title="Smile" /><!-- sSmile -->

xlp p
1 OASyr,ImpArEg,Syr,JBA in place of
2 ImpArEg,Syr,JBA in exchange for
2 Syr on account of


The best I can think of theologically in the sense of 'for the joy' would be that Yeshua's death on the cross made it possible "to bring many sons to glory" (Hebrews 2:10)..."and by His death He has destroyed him who had the power of death, that is, the devil" (Hebrews 2:14). These are just two of many joyful aspirations Yeshua could have had on His mind.

"Instead of the joy before Him" is a nice fit also when you consider the joy Yeshua had preaching, teaching, healing, working miracles, etc., while on this earth.

Hmmm...'food for thought' indeed!

Shlama w'Burkate, Larry Kelsey