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 GodOne 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 ForsakeDespite 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 DesiresThe 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 ForsakingForsaking 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."
ConclusionThe 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 -- aforsaking, spec. (bill of) divorce... 646, 647. apostasion. 648 . a
forsaking, spec. (bill of
... divorce. Word
Origin from aphistemi Definition a
forsaking, spec. (bill
...2641. kataleipo -- to leave, leave behind
... Word Origin from kata and leipo Definition to leave, leave behind NASB Word Usage
forsaking (1), kept (1), leave (4), leaves behind (1), leaving (3), leaving...
1459. egkataleipo -- to leave behind, ie (in a good sense) let...
... good sense) let remain over or (in a bad sense) desert NASB Word Usage abandon
(1), abandoned (1), deserted (2), forsake (1), forsaken (3),forsaking (1), left...
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.
5800a. azab -- to leave, forsake, loose
... abandon (3), abandoned (11), abandons (1), commits (1), deserted (1), failed (1),
fails (1), forsake (48), forsaken (56), forsakes (2),forsaking (1), forsook...
4480. min -- from
... devoid (2), dictated* (1), distance* (3), doing* (2), due (4), either (2), ever
(1), exclusive (1), facing (2), far* (2), forever* (3),forsaking* (2), gone (2...
310. achar -- the hind or following part
... 1), follow (11), follow* (16), followed (16), followed* (24), following (35), following
and followed (1), following* (5), follows* (3),forsaking* (1), later (1...
7733. Shobeq -- one who signed Nehemiah's covenant
... Shobek. Active participle from a primitive root meaning to leave (compare shbaq);
forsaking; Shobek, an Israelite -- Shobek. see HEBREW shbaq. 7732, 7733....
5921. al -- upon, above, over
... despite (1), due (1), duty (1), east* (7), encouragingly* (2), engaged (1), even
(1), everywhere* (1), faces* (1), facing* (1), far (2),forsaking* (1), full...
Library
Forsaking Jehovah
...FORSAKING JEHOVAH. 'Know... in. Then"consider what thisforsaking is-at bottom
aversion of will, or rather of the whole nature, from Him....
EpiphanyForsaking all for the True Light.
... EpiphanyForsaking all for the True Light. III.Forsaking all for the True Light.
7,7,7,7,7,7. Wer im Herzen will erfahren. [66]Laurentius Laurenti.1700....
He, notForsaking that Secular Course which his Parents had...
... Book VI Chapter VIII He, notforsaking that secular course which his parents
had charmed him to pursue? He, notforsaking that...
"NotForsaking the Assembling of Yourselves Together. "
... Homily III. Chapter LXIX.""NotForsaking the Assembling of Yourselves
Together.". "But if you love your brethren, take nothing...
Of the Praise and Might of Charity: and ofForsaking the World...
... THE FIRE OF LOVE. BOOK I CHAPTER XVIII OF THE PRAISE AND MIGHT OF CHARITY: AND
OFFORSAKING THE WORLD: AND OF THE WAY OF PENANCE TO BE TAKEN....
The Meditation of the Lover in his Love: and theForsaking of...
... BOOK II CHAPTER V THE MEDITATION OF THE LOVER IN HIS LOVE: AND THEFORSAKING
OF FELLOWSHIP: AND HOW IN ORDER IT COMES TO THE FLAME OF LOVE....
Why, in the Account of Terah's Emigration, on hisForsaking the...
... Chapter 13."Why, in the Account of Terah's Emigration, on HisForsaking the Chaldeans
and Passing Over into Mesopotamia, No Mention is Made of His Son Nahor....
Matt. xix. 27
... "For behold we have forsaken all," saith he, "and have followed Thee." For the
forsaking was done for the sake of following, and the following was rendered...
Luke x. The Latter Part of the 25Th Verse.
... which cannot be avoided withoutforsaking them; to abhor that which is evil, Romans
12:9. to abstain from all appearance, or, as the Words signify, every sort...
Hebrews x. 19-23
... Notforsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but
exhorting [3156] one another and so much the more as ye see the day...
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...Apostate (5 Occurrences)
... 24:11); temptation (Luke 8:13); worldliness (2 Timothy 4:4); defective knowledge
of Christ (1 John 2:19); moral lapse (Hebrews 6:4-6);forsaking worship and...
Apostasy (6 Occurrences)
... 24:11); temptation (Luke 8:13); worldliness (2 Timothy 4:4); defective knowledge
of Christ (1 John 2:19); moral lapse (Hebrews 6:4-6);forsaking worship and...
Forsaketh (17 Occurrences)
Vent (8 Occurrences)
... hath turned back, and hath been insolent toward the holy covenant, and hath wrought,
and turned back, and he understandeth concerning thoseforsaking the holy...
Vilest (5 Occurrences)
... said to Hosea, "Go, take for yourself a wife of prostitution and children of
unfaithfulness; for the land commits great adultery,forsaking Yahweh." (See NIV)....
Wrong-doing (4 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:15forsaking the right way, they went astray, having followed the way
of Balaam the 'son' of Beor, who loved the hire of wrong-doing; (ASV)....
Forsomuch (1 Occurrence)
Fornication (52 Occurrences)
... It frequently means aforsaking of God or a following after idols (Isaiah 1:2;
Jeremiah 2:20; Ezek. 16; Hosea 1:2; 2:1-5; Jeremiah 3:8, 9)....
Forgetting (8 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 65:11 And ye 'are' thoseforsaking Jehovah, Who are forgetting My holy mountain,
Who are setting in array for Gad a table, And who are filling for Meni...
Resources
How should a Christian view the Mafia? | GotQuestions.orgDid God divorce Israel? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is spiritual adultery? | GotQuestions.orgForsaking: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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