3024. léthé

Lexicon

léthé: Forgetfulness

Original Word: λήθη
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: léthé
Pronunciation: lay'-thay
Phonetic Spelling: (lay'-thay)
Definition: Forgetfulness
Meaning: forgetfulness, oblivion.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

forgetfulness

From lanthano; forgetfulness -- + forget.

see GREEK lanthano

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from lanthanó
Definition
forgetfulness
NASB Translation
forgotten* (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 3024: λήθη

λήθη, λήθης, ἡ (λήθω to escape notice, λήθομαι to forget) (from Homer down), forgetfulness: λήθην τίνος λαβεῖν (see λαμβάνω, I. 6), 2 Peter 1:9.

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb λανθάνω (lanthanō), meaning "to forget" or "to escape notice."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - Strong's Hebrew 7911: שָׁכַח (shakach) • to forget, ignore, wither
- Strong's Hebrew 2142: זָכַר (zakar) • to remember, recall, call to mind

These Hebrew terms reflect the dual themes of forgetfulness and remembrance, which are central to understanding the biblical narrative's emphasis on memory and faithfulness.

Usage: The word λήθη is not directly used in the New Testament. However, its concept is relevant in discussions of spiritual forgetfulness or the human tendency to forget God's works and commandments.

Context: The concept of λήθη, or forgetfulness, is significant in biblical theology, though the specific term does not appear in the New Testament. Forgetfulness in a biblical context often relates to the spiritual state of individuals or communities who neglect or fail to remember God's laws, promises, and past acts of deliverance. This forgetfulness can lead to disobedience and a departure from faithfulness to God.

In the Old Testament, the Israelites are frequently admonished to remember the deeds of the Lord and to keep His commandments, as forgetfulness often led to idolatry and sin (e.g., Deuteronomy 6:12, "be careful that you do not forget the LORD who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery"). The call to remember is a recurring theme, emphasizing the importance of memory in maintaining a covenant relationship with God.

In the New Testament, while λήθη itself is not used, the concept is echoed in passages that warn against spiritual complacency and the need to remain vigilant in faith. For example, in James 1:23-24 (BSB), the metaphor of a man who looks at his face in a mirror and immediately forgets what he looks like illustrates the danger of hearing the word without acting on it: "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."

Theologically, forgetfulness can be seen as a barrier to spiritual growth and maturity. It underscores the necessity of continual remembrance and reflection on God's word and works to sustain a vibrant and obedient faith.

Forms and Transliterations

λήθη ληθην λήθην λήμμα λήμματα λήμματος λημμάτων lethen lēthēn lḗthen lḗthēn

Englishman's Concordance

2 Peter 1:9 N-AFS
GRK: ἐστιν μυωπάζων λήθην λαβὼν τοῦ
KJV: and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from
INT: he is short sighted forgetfulness having reveived the

Strong's Greek 3024
1 Occurrence

λήθην — 1 Occ.