[Greek] ἐπιλανθάνομαι (epilanthanomai), [Latin] obliviscere: to forget, to neglect, to overlook; Mt.16:5, Mk.8:14, Lk.12:6, Php.3:13, Heb.6:10, Heb.13:2, Heb.13:16, Jas.1:24
Jacob Blessing Ephraim and Manasseh: painting by Antonio Maria Esquivel (1832). Manasseh means “God has made me forget entirely my troubles and my father’s house”.
Background information:
Hellenism: In Greek mythology Lethe was one of the five rivers of the underworld of Hades. Also known as the Ameles potamos (river of unmindfulness), Lethe literally means oblivion, forgetfulness, and concealment. According to legend, all those who drink from this river will experience forgetfulness. Martin Heidegger, a German philosopher best known for his contributions to phenomenology, hermeneutics, and existentialism, claims that the forgetting of epilanthanomai is not simply carelessness but an intensification or completion of the forgetfulness of lethe.
Old Testament: This term means to forget, to neglect, to ignore, to remove, to cease to care, and to be oblivious to. God has made me forget all my trouble (Gen.41:51). Be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, not let them slip away from your memory as long as you live (Deut.4:9). He has set a boundary for the darkness (Job 28:4). I am forgotten, out of mind like the dead (Psa.31:13). They think to make My people forget My name (Jer.23:27).
New Testament: This term means to forget, to neglect, to overlook, and to not be mindful of. When Jesus warned the disciples about the Pharisees’ and scribes’ leaven, the disciples thought this referred to actual bread. God always does not fail to take notice of our affairs. God does not forget what you have done for Him (in serving Him). Paul reminds us to be mindful of prisoners as in their imprisonment. God is pleased when you do not neglect to do good and share what you have. Anyone who is hearer but not a doer of the Word looks at his own face in the mirror and promptly forgets what he looks like.
Scripture:
“In coming to the other side of the sea, the disciples had forgotten to bring bread.” Mt.16:5
Jesus warned the disciples about the Pharisees’ and scribes’ leaven. The disciples thought that Jesus meant real bread.
“Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them has escaped the notice of God.” Lk.12:6
Even God counts the hairs on one’s head. God is always aware of our situation.
“He sees himself, then goes off and promptly forgets himself.” Jas.1:24
One who is a hearer but not a doer of the Word is like a man who looks in the mirror and promptly forgets himself.
Etymology: The Greek base verb lanthanomai means to lie hidden, to conceal, to remain concealed, and to escape notice. The Greek verb epilanthanomai refers to an intensification or active (or deliberative) sense of concealing or hiding.
Conclusion:
Oblivion, oblivious
It was interesting to discover that this term is connected to the notion of hiding and concealing. In Greek mythology the river Lethe provides a rich and colorful metaphor for forgetfulness and oblivion. One experiences forgetfulness by drinking from the river Lethe. This term conveys a more active or deliberate sense of hiding and concealing.
In the Old Testament, I must not neglect to mention that Manasseh was the first-born son of Joseph. Manasseh means “God has made me forget entirely my troubles and my father’s house.” It is also interesting that this term can mean to ignore, to cease to care, to be oblivious, and to remove.
In the New Testament, when Jesus was talking about the Pharisees’ and scribes’ leaven, the disciples thought He was referring to the bread they forgot to bring. God does not forget and will be pleased about what you have done to serve Him and to do good for others. Paul tells us to be mindful of those who are imprisoned. A hearer (but not a doer) of the Word will not be able to recognize himself. This notion provides support to the notion that works (actions) are needed to be a follower of Christ.
The Biden campaign and all its allies have exerted great political power and persuasion to legally win this election. I suppose time will tell whether or not the Rassmussen Nov. 29 poll conclusion (results) will be acknowledged, accepted, ignored, forgotten, or rejected.https://twitter.com/Rasmussen_Poll/status/1329741803025801217/photo/1 We all must not forget: Respect goes both ways. Respect can be lost. Respect is earned, not given. As of now, we have a very divided country.
I am not oblivious to the fact that many of us are quite worried and alarmed by what is politically happening to our country. (We have never prayed so much for our country!) Yet, it is also comforting to know that God has also not forgotten about our concerns and fears.
I almost forgot: hippopotamus literally means “river horse”