In the Bible, the concept of forgetfulness is often associated with spiritual negligence, a lack of mindfulness towards God's commandments, and the human tendency to overlook God's past deeds and promises. Forgetfulness can lead to a departure from faithfulness and obedience, and it is frequently warned against in Scripture.

Old Testament References

In the Old Testament, forgetfulness is often linked to Israel's relationship with God. The Israelites are repeatedly admonished not to forget the Lord's commandments and the mighty works He performed on their behalf. Deuteronomy 4:9 warns, "Only be on your guard and diligently watch yourselves, so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen, and so that they do not slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and grandchildren."

The Psalms also reflect on the dangers of forgetfulness. Psalm 103:2 encourages believers to "Bless the LORD, O my soul, and do not forget all His kind deeds." This verse underscores the importance of remembering God's benefits and maintaining a heart of gratitude.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, forgetfulness is addressed in the context of spiritual growth and maturity. James 1:23-24 uses the metaphor of a man looking at his face in a mirror to illustrate forgetfulness: "For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like." This passage highlights the importance of not only hearing the Word but also acting upon it.

The Apostle Peter also addresses forgetfulness in 2 Peter 1:9 , where he writes, "But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins." Here, forgetfulness is linked to a lack of spiritual virtues and a failure to remember the cleansing power of Christ's sacrifice.

Theological Implications

Forgetfulness in a biblical sense is more than a mere lapse of memory; it is a spiritual condition that can lead to disobedience and a weakened relationship with God. The Bible emphasizes the importance of remembrance as a means of maintaining faithfulness and obedience. The act of remembering God's past deeds, His laws, and His promises serves as a foundation for a life of worship and devotion.

Practical Applications

Believers are encouraged to cultivate practices that counteract forgetfulness, such as regular study of Scripture, prayer, and participation in communal worship. These disciplines help to keep God's Word and His works at the forefront of one's mind, fostering a life that is attentive to His presence and guidance.

In summary, forgetfulness in the biblical context is a significant spiritual issue that believers are urged to guard against. By remembering God's faithfulness and adhering to His commandments, Christians can maintain a vibrant and obedient relationship with their Creator.1. (a.) Apt to forget; easily losing remembrance; as, a forgetful man should use helps to strengthen his memory.

2. (a.) Heedless; careless; neglectful; inattentive.

3. (a.) Causing to forget; inducing oblivion; oblivious.

FORGET; FORGETFUL

for-get', for-get'-ful (shakhach; epilanthanomai):

"Forget" is to fail to hold in mind, and the forgetfulness may be either innocent or blameworthy. In the Old Testament the word is most frequently used as translation of shakhach in a blameworthy sense: to forget the covenant, the law, Yahweh their God (Deuteronomy 4:9, 23, 11; Deuteronomy 6:12 Judges 3:7 1 Samuel 12:9 Psalm 44:20, etc.). In an innocent or neutral, sometimes good, sense it is used in Genesis 27:45 Deuteronomy 24:19 Job 9:27; Job 11:16; Job 24:20 Psalm 102:4, etc. It is also used of God forgetting or not seeming to care (Psalm 9:12; Psalm 10:11, 12; 13:01; 42:09:00; 77:9 Isaiah 49:15, etc.). To "forget" sometimes means to forsake (Psalm 45:10; Psalm 74:19, etc.).

In the New Testament epilanthanomai is used of simple forgetting (Matthew 16:5 Mark 8:14, etc.; in Luke 12:6 the sense of care is implied); Philippians 3:13, "forgetting the things which are behind," has the force of leaving behind. "Forgetful" in James 1:25 is epilesmone, the Revised Version (British and American) "a hearer that forgetteth." "Forgetfulness" Psalm 88:12, "the land of forgetfulness," is a synonym for Sheol, where all forget and are forgotten. the Revised Version (British and American) has "forget not" for "be ignorant of" (2 Peter 3:8; similarly 2 Peter 3:5).

W. L. Walker

1953. epilesmone -- forgetfulness
... note the , ""). Word Origin from epilanthanomai Definition forgetfulness
NASB Word Usage forgetful (1). forgetful. From a derivative ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1953.htm - 6k

1950. epilanthanomai -- to forget, neglect
... Word Origin from epi and lanthano Definition to forget, neglect NASB Word Usage
forget (1), forgetting (1), forgotten (4), neglect (2). be forgetful. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1950.htm - 7k

7913. shakeach -- forgetting, forgetful
... 7912, 7913. shakeach. 7914 . forgetting, forgetful. Transliteration: shakeach
Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-kay'-akh) Short Definition: forget. ...
/hebrew/7913.htm - 6k

And So Unmindful and Forgetful of what the Substance and Origin of ...
... Book VI. 16 And so unmindful and forgetful of what the substance and
origin of the images are? And so unmindful and forgetful ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/16 and so unmindful and.htm

Psalm LXXX.
... But to the interpretation let us look: Ephraim is fruit-bearing, Benjamin
son of right hand, Manasses one forgetful. Appear Thou ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxx.htm

Hebrews xii. 28, 29
... Be not forgetful of hospitality, [3451] for hereby some have entertained angels
unawares." See how he enjoins them to preserve what they had: he does not add ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxxiii hebrews xii 28.htm

Personal Characteristics.
... But he was not forgetful of the benefits of the solid studies which are needful
for the Christian minister, and he applied himself with splendid energy to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/vi personal characteristics.htm

Importance of Small Things in Religion
... But forgetful of the divine law, they took up the ark and put it on a new
car or chariot which they had made for it. They thought ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/importance of small things in.htm

The Remembrance of Christ
... I appeal to the conscience of every Christian here: Can you deny the truth of
what I utter? Do you not find yourselves forgetful of Jesus? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the remembrance of christ.htm

Relation xi. Written from Palencia in May 1581, and Addressed to ...
... But it is so forgetful of its own interests as to seem, in some measure,
to have lost itself, so forgetful of self is it in this. ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/relation xi written from palencia.htm

By Collating Similar Passages with 1 Sam. ...
... For it was not any one of the common people who prayed for the Jewish people, but
Moses, [2976] when forgetful of their covenant they worshipped the head of ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter ix by collating similar.htm

Of the Law.
... that stands in need of it, for I stand in need of nothing; for the world is mine,
and the fulness thereof." [3269] But when this people became forgetful of that ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv of the law.htm

A Voice from the Hartley Colliery
... shelter thee from the cold; thou goest to thy house, and thou hast comforts and
mercies there, but like the swine which feed beneath the oak forgetful of the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/a voice from the hartley.htm

Forgetful (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Apt to forget; easily losing remembrance; as,
a forgetful man should use helps to strengthen his memory. ... FORGET; FORGETFUL. ...
/f/forgetful.htm - 10k

Forgetfulness (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The quality of being forgetful; proneness
to let slip from the mind. 2. (n.) Loss of remembrance ...
/f/forgetfulness.htm - 7k

Nicanor (1 Occurrence)
... Nicanor, struck with the manliness of the Jews, as entering into friendly relations
with Judas, urging him to marry and lead a quiet life, forgetful of the ...
/n/nicanor.htm - 14k

Forget (77 Occurrences)
... doing. 2. (vt) To treat with inattention or disregard; to slight; to neglect.
Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FORGET; FORGETFUL. for ...
/f/forget.htm - 31k

Unawares (14 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have
entertained angels unawares. (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/u/unawares.htm - 10k

Worldly-minded (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Devoted to worldly interests; mindful of the affairs
of the present life, and forgetful of those of the future; loving and ...
/w/worldly-minded.htm - 6k

Intently (16 Occurrences)
... James 1:25 and he who did look into the perfect law -- that of liberty, and did
continue there, this one -- not a forgetful hearer becoming, but a doer of work ...
/i/intently.htm - 10k

Forgetting (8 Occurrences)
... James 1:25 and he who did look into the perfect law -- that of liberty, and did
continue there, this one -- not a forgetful hearer becoming, but a doer of work ...
/f/forgetting.htm - 8k

Fixes (3 Occurrences)
... James 1:25 But he that fixes his view on the perfect law, that of liberty, and abides
in it, being not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, he shall be ...
/f/fixes.htm - 7k

Thereby (42 Occurrences)
... KJV ASV). Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby
some have entertained angels unawares. (KJV ASV RSV). 1 ...
/t/thereby.htm - 18k

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