In biblical terms, forsake means to abandon, leave behind, or turn away from. It refers to the act of renouncing or giving up something or someone, often with a sense of desertion or neglect.
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In biblical terms, forsake carries a profound meaning, encompassing the notions of abandonment, betrayal, and turning away from someone or something. It conveys a sense of intentionally renouncing or giving up on a person, an idea, or even one’s faith. The concept of forsaking is depicted in various passages throughout the Bible, highlighting the consequences and significance of such actions.
One biblical verse that illustrates forsaking is found in Psalm 27:10, where it states, “Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” Here, forsaking is portrayed as the act of desertion, even by one’s own parents. Yet, the verse brings solace, assuring that God will provide refuge and acceptance.
To delve further into the topic, let’s explore some interesting facts related to forsaking:
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Prodigal Son Parable: One of the most well-known biblical parables, found in Luke 15:11-32, tells the story of a younger son who forsakes his father and squanders his inheritance. The parable emphasizes the themes of repentance, forgiveness, and the unconditional love of God.
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Forsaking Idols: Many biblical references condemn the forsaking of God for idolatry. Exodus 20:3-6 warns against worshiping other gods and emphasizes the consequences of forsaking the Lord, stating that He “punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”
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Spiritual Forsaking: Forsaking, in a spiritual sense, involves turning away from God, rejecting His teachings, and choosing a life of sin. The Bible emphasizes the importance of remaining faithful and not forsaking the commandments and guidance of the Lord.
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Redemption and Forgiveness: Despite forsaking being portrayed as a grave betrayal, the Bible also emphasizes the possibility of redemption and forgiveness for those who genuinely repent and turn back to God. Proverbs 28:13 states, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
Table: Examples of Forsaking in the Bible
| Biblical Reference | Context and Meaning |
|---|---|
| Psalm 22:1 | “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Jesus on the cross) |
| Deuteronomy 31:6 | “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” |
| Isaiah 65:11 | “But you who forsake the LORD, who forget my holy mountain, who spread a table for Fortune and fill bowls of mixed wine for Destiny…” |
| Jeremiah 23:39 | “Therefore, I will surely forget you and cast you out of my presence along with the city I gave to you and your ancestors.” |
In summary, forsaking in biblical terms signifies the act of abandonment, leaving behind, or turning away from someone or something with a sense of desertion or neglect. It is a multifaceted concept found throughout the Bible, highlighting the consequences, redemption, and forgiveness associated with forsaking. As John Milton wrote, “Farewell, happy fields, where joy forever dwells! Hail, horrors! Hail, infernal world! And thou, profoundest Hell, receive thy new possessor!” (Paradise Lost)
Video answer
In this YouTube video titled “Forsake: A Biblical Perspective,” the speaker delves into the different meanings of the word “forsake” in the Old Testament. They explore three Hebrew words with distinct nuances: “Rafa,” indicating a loss of interest or laziness; “Ahzaab,” meaning to leave without specific cause; and “Natasha,” conveying rejection based on moral or ethical principles. Moving on to the New Testament, they highlight the Greek word “ataponeo,” which signifies abandonment or desertion, as seen in Hebrews 13:5. The speaker stresses the importance of comprehending these varied meanings to accurately articulate one’s intentions when using the term “forsake,” and concludes by encouraging listeners to seek a profound understanding of forsaking in order to align with their divine destiny with the Lord.
See additional response choices
abandonMatthew 27:46. Another word for forsaken is abandon. When you leave someone or something behind you forsake it, and the person or object or belief becomes forsaken. Sometimes pets are abandoned; they have been forsaken. Sometimes places are forsaken; no one goes there anymore.
In the Bible, the word "forsake" means to leave behind, abandon, desert, renounce, or turn away from entirely. In the Old Testament, it often refers to God leaving his people for a period of time. In the New Testament, Jesus tells his disciples that they must "forsake all" in order to follow him. There are many verses in Scripture that speak about being forsaken, or from God’s perspective not forsaking you. Psalm 22:1-2 is an example of a verse that uses the word "forsaken".
In the Bible, the word forsake means to leave behind. In the Old Testament, it often refers to God leaving his people for a period of time. For example, in Isaiah 44:22 God says: “This is what the LORD says, Israel’s King and Redeemer, whose name is the LORD Almighty: I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there
"Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me." – Psalm 27:10 "I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread." – Psalm 37:25 There are many verses in Scripture that speak about being forsaken, or from God’s perspective not forsaking you. For this
What does forsake mean in the Bible? One way to remember the meaning of this verb — to abandon or desert — is to remember this little sentence: “For heaven’s sake, don’t leave me, or heaven is lost!” Lose the heaven, and you have forsake.
Forsaken To leave in an abandoned condition. My God, my God, why hast thou FORSAKEN me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? O my God, I cry in the daytime, but thou hearest not; and in the night season, and am not silent. (Psalm 22:1-2)
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What does forsake mean in the KJV?
In reply to that: King James Dictionary – Forsaken
Forsaken. To leave in an abandoned condition.
What does it mean to forsake our sins?
As an answer to this: This is what the scripture means in its explanation that a person who has repented of sins will forsake them (see D&C 58:43). Forsaking sins is more than resolving not to repeat them. Forsaking involves a fundamental change” (“Sins, Crimes, and Atonement,” an address given to CES religious educators, Feb. 7, 1992, 12).
What is an example of forsake?
Examples from Collins dictionaries
He doubted their claim to have forsaken military solutions to the civil war. But that didn’t make her forsake her ideals. She forsook her notebook for new technology. At 53 he has no plans to forsake the hills.
What is the difference between leave and forsake in the Bible?
Leave is temporary, and forsake is permanent. “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you. He will never leave you or forsake you.”
What does the Bible say about forsaking?
“ The Lord will send upon you curses, confusion, and rebuke, in all you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, on account of the evil of your deeds, because you have forsaken Me. Judges 10:13 Verse Concepts Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods; therefore I will no longer deliver you.
What does the Bible say about never will I foresake?
Answer will be: Hebrews 13:5 says, in part, “He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (NKJV). In a world that is constantly changing and where people are constantly leaving, whether in a family, relationship, or in death, God’s promise of never leaving is encouraging.
What does the Bible say about forsaken?
Answer: What the Bible says about "forsaken": Deuteronomy 28:20. The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke , in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.
What does it mean to be forsaken by God?
What does it mean to be forsaken by God? To forsake another person is to leave them entirely, usually in a moment of need. Forsake may mean simply giving something up, such as a way of life or a homeland, for something better or more appropriate. But it is often a mean word, suggesting leaving something or someone behind when they need you to stay.