Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Context: Abandonment in the biblical context refers to the act of forsaking or leaving someone or something behind. It can be physical, emotional, or spiritual in nature. The Bible addresses abandonment in various forms, including the abandonment of people, places, and even God. It is often associated with feelings of desolation, loneliness, and despair. Biblical Instances and Themes: 1. Divine Abandonment: The Bible speaks of instances where God appears to abandon His people due to their disobedience and sin. This is often a form of divine judgment intended to bring about repentance and restoration. In Deuteronomy 31:17, God warns Israel of the consequences of forsaking Him: "On that day My anger will burn against them, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, so that they will be consumed. Many evils and troubles will befall them, and on that day they will say, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is no longer with us?’" 2. Human Abandonment: The Bible also records instances of human abandonment, where individuals are left by family, friends, or communities. One notable example is the account of Joseph, who was abandoned by his brothers and sold into slavery (Genesis 37:23-28). Despite this, God remained with Joseph, turning his abandonment into a path for eventual deliverance and reconciliation. 3. Abandonment of God: There are warnings against abandoning God and His commandments. In Jeremiah 2:13, God laments Israel's abandonment of Him: "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." 4. Jesus and Abandonment: Jesus experienced abandonment during His earthly ministry. In the Garden of Gethsemane, His disciples fell asleep and later fled when He was arrested (Matthew 26:40, 56). On the cross, Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" (Matthew 27:46), expressing the depth of His suffering and the weight of humanity's sin. 5. Promises of God's Presence: Despite instances of abandonment, the Bible reassures believers of God's enduring presence. In Hebrews 13:5, it is written, "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 hope, emphasizing God's faithfulness even when others abandon us. Theological Implications: Abandonment in the Bible often serves as a catalyst for spiritual growth and reliance on God. It highlights the consequences of sin and the importance of faithfulness. The theme of abandonment also underscores the human need for divine presence and the assurance that God will not ultimately forsake those who seek Him. Related Concepts: · Forsakenness · Loneliness · Divine Judgment · Repentance · Restoration Key Verses: · Deuteronomy 31:17 · Genesis 37:23-28 · Jeremiah 2:13 · Matthew 27:46 · Hebrews 13:5 Topical Bible Verses Psalm 22:1My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? Topicalbible.org Mark 15:34 Mark 10:11-12 John 3:16 Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of abandoning, or the state of being abandoned; total desertion; relinquishment.2. (n.) The relinquishment by the insured to the underwriters of what may remain of the property insured after a loss or damage by a peril insured against. 3. (n.) The relinquishment of a right, claim, or privilege, as to mill site, etc. 4. (n.) The voluntary leaving of a person to whom one is bound by a special relation, as a wife, husband, or child; desertion. 5. (n.) Careless freedom or ease; abandon. Greek 630. apoluo -- to set free, release ... to the lengthy treatment of marriage/divorce by Paul in 1 Cor 6:15-7:16 (which permits divorce on a broad definition of constructive or actual abandonment). ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/630.htm - 10k Library Abandonment to Divine Providence Letter xvii. --Abandonment in Trials. Abandonment to God --Its Fruit and Its Irrevocability --In what it ... Self-Abandonment to God. Letter iv. --Practice of Abandonment. Letter i. --Happiness and Peace of Abandonment. Abandonment a Pledge of Predestination. The Different Duties of Abandonment. Letter xiv. --Abandonment in Trials. Letter iii. --Abandonment During Trials. Thesaurus Abandonment (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance Abandonment (1 Occurrence). Romans 8:7 Abandonment to earthly things is a state of enmity to God. Such ... /a/abandonment.htm - 7k Apostasy (6 Occurrences) Repentance (28 Occurrences) Apostate (5 Occurrences) Abandoned (45 Occurrences) Kenosis Off (5363 Occurrences) Departure (22 Occurrences) Backsliding (19 Occurrences) Resources Does the Bible say that abandonment is a valid reason for divorce and remarriage? | GotQuestions.orgHow should a Christian view borderline personality disorder (BPD)? | GotQuestions.org What should a believer do if his or her spouse chooses to live a transgender lifestyle? | GotQuestions.org Abandonment: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Abandonment (1 Occurrence)Romans 8:7 Subtopics Related Terms |