turn the other cheek

[blacknomi]

What does that mean? Ignore someone? :?

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by blacknomi

What does that mean? Ignore someone? :?

Originally Posted by Matthew 5:39

"Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also".

According to the site listed below (i.e., Click on Read More... ) the phrase 'to turn the other cheek' stems from a Jewish idiom which refers to a slap with the back of your hand; in other words, an insult. If someone insults you, you should not insult them back.

Source. Read more...

All the best, :D

[Tdol]

I didn't know of its Jewish origins, as I only knew the New Testament use. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Casiopea

The phrase is a Jewish idiom

No, I'm a Jew and I know that this is a Christian credo, not a Jewish one. By "idiom", the author referred just to the phrase "a slap on the face" and not to the complete sentence.

(You'll never hear a Jew uttering this adage. Of course, we too have a system of principles and beliefs instructing a person how to behave when someone insults or harms him.)

BTW, Casiopea, I'm impressed by your posts on this forum. I've read only few of them, actually, because I'm very new here, but I've enjoyed every one of them. You seem to have a thorough knowledge of the English language, and a lot of patience and love.

[Casiopea]

Shalom! Thank you for your kind words.

With regards to my us(ag)e of the word phrase,

Originally Posted by Casiopea

The phrase is a Jewish idiom

I used phrase in reference to the student's question, What does the phrase 'to turn the other cheek mean?, not in reference to the sentence spoken by or reported to have been spoken by Christ: "Whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also." At any rate, though, you are right: it was careless of me not to take into consideration that readers might assume phrase meant the entire quote, so I edited my post. :wink: Thank you for pointing it out to me. It is appreciated. 8)

All the best, :D