The term "forgettest" is an archaic form of the word "forget," often found in older translations of the Bible. It is used to describe the act of failing to remember or neglecting to recall something significant. In the context of Scripture, forgetting can have both spiritual and moral implications, often serving as a warning against neglecting God's commandments, His works, or His covenant.

Biblical Usage and Context

1. Forgetting God and His Commandments: The Bible frequently warns against forgetting the Lord and His commandments. In Deuteronomy 8:11, Moses cautions the Israelites, "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God by failing to keep His commandments, ordinances, and statutes which I am giving you this day." Forgetting God is equated with disobedience and can lead to spiritual downfall.

2. Forgetting God's Works: The psalmists often remind the people of Israel not to forget the mighty works of God. Psalm 78:11 states, "They forgot what He had done, the wonders He had shown them." This forgetfulness is portrayed as a failure to acknowledge God's past deliverance and provision, leading to a lack of faith and trust in Him.

3. Forgetting God's Covenant: Forgetting the covenant with God is a serious offense in the biblical narrative. In Judges 3:7, it is recorded, "The Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD; they forgot the LORD their God and served the Baals and the Asherahs." This forgetfulness leads to idolatry and turning away from the true God.

4. Human Forgetfulness vs. Divine Remembrance: While humans are prone to forget, God is depicted as one who remembers His promises and covenant. Isaiah 49:15-16 reassures, "Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of My hands." This contrast highlights God's faithfulness and the importance of relying on His unchanging nature.

5. Spiritual Vigilance: The New Testament also addresses the theme of forgetfulness in the context of spiritual vigilance. James 1:23-24 warns, "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 emphasizes the importance of not only hearing the Word but also acting upon it, lest one forgets its transformative power.

Theological Implications

Forgetting, in the biblical sense, is not merely a lapse in memory but often signifies a deeper spiritual issue—neglecting one's relationship with God and His commandments. It serves as a cautionary theme throughout Scripture, urging believers to remember and uphold the teachings and works of the Lord. The call to remember is a call to faithfulness, obedience, and a continual acknowledgment of God's presence and authority in one's life.

On Repentance and Remission of Sins, and Concerning the Adversary.
... prevail with thee. But whenever thou forgettest God, forthwith thou beginnest
to devise wickedness and to commit iniquity. 3. Yet ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture ii on repentance and.htm

A Sequel to the Same Matter.
... And if thou tell me, that many times thou forgettest during a whole day, to renew
thy resignation, I answer, that though it seem to thee, that thou are ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap xv a sequel to.htm

The Harvest of a Godless Life
... I. The Sin of a Godless Life. (a) Notice the Sin charged. It is merely
negative"forgettest. There is no charge of positive hostility or of any overt act. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the harvest of a godless.htm

St. Thomas the Apostle. And Thomas Answered and Said unto Him, My ...
... And not as once dost empty back return,. But gazing on Thy God, forgettest
time. Beneath His loving glance, whence thou wouldst learn. ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/st thomas the apostle and.htm

Monday in Passion Week. And when He was Come Near, He Beheld the ...
... Thou countest up my tears and sighs,. E'en were they numberless; Not one is hidden
from thy eyes,. Thou ne'er forgettest me in my distress,. But when they rain. ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/monday in passion week and.htm

John Chapter xiii. 16-20.
... the Son Himself stands from the Father, when He said, "He that receiveth me, receiveth
Him that sent me." But if thou sayest so, thou forgettest, heretic, thy ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate lix john chapter xiii.htm

Zain.
... Although in other passages of holy Scripture this very word is used, as, "Why hast
Thou forgotten me?" [5198] and, "Wherefore forgettest Thou our misery?" [5199 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/zain.htm

November 14 Morning
... of refuge."Who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die,
and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; and forgettest the Lord ...
/.../anonymous/daily light on the daily path/november 14 morning.htm

The Fourth Season,
... you: who art thou, that thou shouldst be afraid of a man that shall die, and of
the son of man that stroll be made as the grass, and forgettest the Lord thy ...
//christianbookshelf.org/flavel/on keeping the heart/iv the fourth season.htm

The Saint Ceases not to Pray. Prayer the Way to Recover what is ...
... Thou takest into account the occasions during which they seek Thee, and for a
moment of penitence forgettest their offences against Thyself. ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter viii the saint ceases.htm

Forgettest (6 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Forgettest (6 Occurrences). ... (DBY). Deuteronomy 32:18 The
Rock that begat thee thou forgettest, And neglectest God who formeth thee. ...
/f/forgettest.htm - 8k

Forgets (8 Occurrences)

/f/forgets.htm - 8k

Forgetteth (10 Occurrences)

/f/forgetteth.htm - 8k

Neglectest (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Neglectest (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy 32:18 The Rock
that begat thee thou forgettest, And neglectest God who formeth thee. (YLT). ...
/n/neglectest.htm - 6k

Neglected (10 Occurrences)
... us, (YLT). Deuteronomy 32:18 The Rock that begat thee thou forgettest, And
neglectest God who formeth thee. (See NAS). 1 Chronicles ...
/n/neglected.htm - 9k

Formeth (11 Occurrences)
... is' its name. (YLT). Deuteronomy 32:18 The Rock that begat thee thou forgettest,
And neglectest God who formeth thee. (YLT). 1 Kings ...
/f/formeth.htm - 9k

Prepareth (21 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 51:13 and forgettest Jehovah thy Maker, who hath stretched out the heavens,
and laid the foundations of the earth; and thou art afraid continually all ...
/p/prepareth.htm - 13k

Blush (16 Occurrences)
... Fear not, for thou art not ashamed, Nor blush, for thou art not confounded, For
the shame of thy youth thou forgettest, And the reproach of thy widowhood Thou ...
/b/blush.htm - 11k

Afflictions (24 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS RSV). Psalms 44:24 Why Thy face hidest Thou? Thou
forgettest our afflictions and our oppression, (YLT). Psalms ...
/a/afflictions.htm - 14k

Inhabited (64 Occurrences)
... Fear not, for thou art not ashamed, Nor blush, for thou art not confounded, For
the shame of thy youth thou forgettest, And the reproach of thy widowhood Thou ...
/i/inhabited.htm - 26k

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