Topical Encyclopedia Forsaking, in biblical terms, refers to the act of abandoning, deserting, or renouncing someone or something. This concept is significant in Scripture, as it often pertains to the relationship between God and His people, as well as interpersonal relationships among individuals. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on the consequences and implications of forsaking.Forsaking God One of the most serious forms of forsaking mentioned in the Bible is the abandonment of God by His people. This is often depicted as a turning away from God's commandments and pursuing other gods or worldly desires. In the Old Testament, the Israelites are frequently admonished for forsaking the LORD and turning to idolatry. For instance, in Jeremiah 2:13 , God laments, "For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living water, and they have dug their own cisterns—broken cisterns that cannot hold water." The consequences of forsaking God are severe, often leading to divine judgment and calamity. In Deuteronomy 31:16-17 , God warns Moses, "And the LORD said to Moses, 'You are about to rest with your fathers, and these people will soon prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake Me and break the covenant I have made with them. On that day My anger will burn against them, and I will forsake them; I will hide My face from them, and they will be consumed. Many troubles and disasters will befall them, so that they will say on that day, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is no longer with us?’" God's Promise Not to Forsake Despite the warnings and consequences of forsaking, the Bible also emphasizes God's faithfulness and His promise not to forsake those who are His. In Hebrews 13:5 , believers are encouraged with the assurance, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.'" This promise is a source of comfort and strength, reminding believers of God's unwavering presence and support. Forsaking Sin and Worldly Desires The New Testament calls believers to forsake sin and the desires of the flesh in order to follow Christ fully. In Luke 14:33 , Jesus teaches, "In the same way, any one of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be My disciple." This forsaking is not merely an abandonment of material possessions but a call to prioritize the kingdom of God above all else. Interpersonal Forsaking Forsaking can also occur in human relationships, such as in the context of marriage or friendship. The Bible addresses the pain and betrayal associated with such forsaking. In Malachi 2:14-16 , God speaks against the treachery of forsaking one's spouse, emphasizing the sanctity and covenant of marriage: "Yet you ask, 'For what reason?' Because the LORD has been a witness between you and the wife of your youth. You have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant." Conclusion The concept of forsaking in the Bible serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of faithfulness, both to God and to one another. It underscores the need for commitment and the consequences of turning away from divine and human relationships. Through the lens of Scripture, believers are called to remain steadfast in their devotion to God and to uphold the bonds of love and fidelity in their relationships with others. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Forsake.Greek 647. apostasion -- a forsaking, spec. (bill of) divorce ... 646, 647. apostasion. 648 . a forsaking, spec. (bill of ... divorce. Word Origin from aphistemi Definition a forsaking, spec. (bill ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/647.htm - 6k 2641. kataleipo -- to leave, leave behind 1459. egkataleipo -- to leave behind, ie (in a good sense) let ... Strong's Hebrew 5805. azubah -- forsakenness, desolation... forsaking. Feminine passive participle of azab; desertion (of inhabitants) -- forsaking. see HEBREW azab. 5804b, 5805. azubah. 5806 . Strong's Numbers. /hebrew/5805.htm - 6k 5800a. azab -- to leave, forsake, loose 4480. min -- from 310. achar -- the hind or following part 7733. Shobeq -- one who signed Nehemiah's covenant 5921. al -- upon, above, over Library Forsaking Jehovah Epiphany Forsaking all for the True Light. He, not Forsaking that Secular Course which his Parents had ... "Not Forsaking the Assembling of Yourselves Together. " Of the Praise and Might of Charity: and of Forsaking the World ... The Meditation of the Lover in his Love: and the Forsaking of ... Why, in the Account of Terah's Emigration, on his Forsaking the ... Matt. xix. 27 Luke x. The Latter Part of the 25Th Verse. Hebrews x. 19-23 Thesaurus Forsaking (29 Occurrences)... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Forsake. Multi-Version Concordance Forsaking (29 Occurrences). Hebrews 10:25 not forsaking... /f/forsaking.htm - 14k Apostate (5 Occurrences) Apostasy (6 Occurrences) Forsaketh (17 Occurrences) Vent (8 Occurrences) Vilest (5 Occurrences) Wrong-doing (4 Occurrences) Forsomuch (1 Occurrence) Fornication (52 Occurrences) Forgetting (8 Occurrences) Resources How should a Christian view the Mafia? | GotQuestions.orgDid God divorce Israel? | GotQuestions.org What is spiritual adultery? | GotQuestions.org Forsaking: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Forsaking (29 Occurrences)Hebrews 10:25 2 Peter 2:15 Deuteronomy 28:20 Judges 10:10 1 Samuel 8:8 1 Kings 12:13 1 Kings 18:18 2 Chronicles 10:13 2 Chronicles 28:6 Ezra 8:22 Psalms 119:53 Proverbs 2:13 Proverbs 2:17 Proverbs 10:17 Proverbs 15:10 Proverbs 28:4 Proverbs 28:13 Isaiah 1:28 Isaiah 6:12 Isaiah 57:8 Isaiah 65:11 Jeremiah 1:16 Jeremiah 2:17 Jeremiah 2:19 Jeremiah 9:13 Jeremiah 17:13 Ezekiel 20:27 Hosea 1:2 Hosea 9:1 Subtopics Forsaking God is Forsaking: His Commandments Forsaking God is Forsaking: His Covenant Forsaking God is Forsaking: His House Forsaking God is Forsaking: The Right Way Forsaking God: Backsliders Guilty of Forsaking God: Brings Confusion Forsaking God: Brings Down his Wrath Forsaking God: Children of Israel Forsaking God: Curse Pronounced Upon Forsaking God: Followed by Remorse Forsaking God: Idolaters Guilty of Forsaking God: Kingdom of Israel Forsaking God: Kingdom of Judah Forsaking God: Leads Men to Follow Their own Devices Forsaking God: Prosperity Tempts To Forsaking God: Provokes God to Forsake Men Forsaking God: Resolve Against Forsaking God: Sin of, to be Confessed Forsaking God: The Wicked Guilty of Forsaking God: Trusting in Man Is Forsaking God: Unreasonableness and Ingratitude of Forsaking God: Warnings Against Related Terms |