The term "forbears" refers to ancestors or forefathers, those who have come before us in lineage and heritage. In the biblical context, the concept of forbears is significant as it often relates to the covenantal promises, blessings, and responsibilities passed down through generations. The Bible frequently emphasizes the importance of remembering and honoring one's ancestors, as well as learning from their faith and experiences.

Biblical References and Context

1. Patriarchs as Forbears: The patriarchs—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—are often considered the primary forbears of the Israelite nation. God's covenant with Abraham, which promised numerous descendants and a land for his people, is foundational to the identity of Israel. Genesis 17:7 states, "I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you."

2. Generational Blessings and Curses: The Bible speaks of blessings and curses that can extend to future generations based on the faithfulness or disobedience of one's forbears. Exodus 20:5-6 warns, "You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, but showing loving devotion to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments."

3. Remembrance and Instruction: The Israelites were instructed to remember the deeds of their forbears, both as a source of encouragement and as a warning. Deuteronomy 32:7 exhorts, "Remember the days of old; consider the years long past. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will inform you."

4. Faith of Forbears: The New Testament also highlights the faith of forbears as an example to be emulated. In 2 Timothy 1:5 , Paul writes to Timothy, "I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also."

5. Genealogies: The genealogies in the Bible serve to trace the lineage of key figures, emphasizing the continuity of God's promises through generations. Matthew 1:1 begins the genealogy of Jesus Christ, "This is the record of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham."

Theological Significance

The concept of forbears in the Bible underscores the continuity of God's plan and the importance of faithfulness across generations. It highlights the communal and familial aspects of faith, where the actions and beliefs of one generation can profoundly impact the next. The biblical narrative encourages believers to honor their forbears by upholding the faith and values passed down to them, while also recognizing the opportunity to break free from any negative patterns inherited from the past.

Practical Implications

For contemporary believers, the biblical teaching on forbears serves as a reminder to cherish and learn from the spiritual heritage received from previous generations. It also calls for a commitment to live in a way that honors God and sets a positive example for future generations. This involves both gratitude for the legacy of faith and a responsibility to nurture and pass on that faith to one's descendants.2310. chadel -- forbearing, lacking
... Word Origin from chadal Definition forbearing, lacking NASB Word Usage forsaken
(1), refuses (1), transient (1). he that forbears, frail, rejected. ...
/hebrew/2310.htm - 6k

Introduction.
... 70 of the heresy which he describes but forbears to name, with Prosper's account
of the charges brought against Augustine by certain Semipelagian clergymen of ...
/.../vincent/the commonitory of vincent of lerins/introduction.htm

Acts ii. 22
... And observe how he forbears to speak of the high matters, and begins with the very
low: "Jesus," he says: and then straightway mentions the place He belonged to ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily vi acts ii 22.htm

The Hindrances to Mourning
... God forbears punishing, therefore men forbear repenting. ... The longer God forbears
a sinner, the more interest he is sure to pay in hell. 9 Mirth and music. ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/9 the hindrances to mourning.htm

Philippians iii. 3-Jan
... you it is safe. Beware of the dogs." Dost thou mark how he forbears to bring
in the exhortation at the beginning? But after he had ...
/.../homily x philippians iii 3-jan.htm

Christ Manifesting Himself to his People
... and easy question"one he needed not to have asked; but Jesus Christ, instead of
rebuking him, simply passes on to another subject, and forbears most wisely ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/christ manifesting himself to his.htm

Fear Not.
... But certainly there are plenty of pushing followers. Our Canadian neighbors seem
not to be wholly strangers to worry. Nor our British and Dutch forbears. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/fear not.htm

2 Cor. vii. 2, 3
... And he for the present forbears to say, we benefited you in such and such ways;'
but framing his language so as more to shame them, "We wronged no man," he says ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xiv 2 cor vii.htm

Colossians i. 15-18
... For this cause, where the meanness is great, the Scripture boldly asserts
the honor, but where the nature is higher, it forbears. ...
/.../homily iii colossians i 15-18.htm

The Call of Matthew.
... to his good name in the future, and in no way diminishes the reality and beauty
of his sacrifice"a beauty which Matthew himself forbears to mention, as ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xxxvi the call of matthew.htm

Job 9:2-10
... and all her pillars shake. He bids the sun forbear to rise; th' obedient sun forbears:
His hand with sackcloth spreads the skies,. and seals up all the stars. ...
/.../anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/7 job 9 2-10.htm

Forbears (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Forbears (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 3:27 But when
I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall ...
/f/forbears.htm - 6k

Forbearing (10 Occurrences)

/f/forbearing.htm - 9k

Forbearer (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who forbears. Multi-Version Concordance
Forbearer (1 Occurrence). Ezekiel 3:27 And in My speaking ...
/f/forbearer.htm - 6k

Refuses (21 Occurrences)
... But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall tell them, Thus
says the Lord Yahweh: He who hears, let him hear; and he who forbears, let him ...
/r/refuses.htm - 12k

Ancients (17 Occurrences)
... more than the ancients" (Psalm 119:100 the King James Version) do not mean that
the Psalmist claims greater wisdom than his distant forbears but than his ...
/a/ancients.htm - 13k

Forbid (46 Occurrences)

/f/forbid.htm - 23k

Forbear (24 Occurrences)
... But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall tell them, Thus
says the Lord Yahweh: He who hears, let him hear; and he who forbears, let him ...
/f/forbear.htm - 16k

Rebellious (63 Occurrences)
... But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall tell them, Thus
says the Lord Yahweh: He who hears, let him hear; and he who forbears, let him ...
/r/rebellious.htm - 26k

Sovereign (209 Occurrences)
... But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall tell them, Thus
says the Lord Yahweh: He who hears, let him hear; and he who forbears, let him ...
/s/sovereign.htm - 36k

Refuse (103 Occurrences)
... But when I speak with you, I will open your mouth, and you shall tell them, Thus
says the Lord Yahweh: He who hears, let him hear; and he who forbears, let him ...
/r/refuse.htm - 36k

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