a primitive root; to forget; figuratively, to neglect; causatively, to remit, remove; forget, deprive, exact.
Transliteration:nâshâh
Pronunciation:naw-shaw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root נָשָׁה (nâshâh), Strong's number `{{H5382}}`, is a primitive verb carrying a multifaceted semantic range, primarily revolving around the concept of "forgetting." At its most basic level, it signifies a loss of memory or an absence from one's thoughts. This can be a passive state of forgetting something, or an active act of letting go of a memory or grievance.
Figuratively, נָשָׁה extends to "neglect," implying a failure to remember or attend to duties, responsibilities, or relationships. This moves beyond mere cognitive lapse to a moral or relational failing.
In its causative (Hiphil) stem, the meaning expands significantly:
1. **To cause to forget:** To intentionally or unintentionally induce forgetfulness in another.
2. **To remove:** To cause something to be taken away or disappear, as if forgotten from existence.
3. **To exact/lend on interest:** This seemingly divergent meaning arises from the causative sense of "causing to take away" or "depriving." It refers to the act of lending money, often with the implication of exacting interest or demanding repayment, thereby "depriving" the borrower of their resources. This usage often carries a negative connotation in the biblical context, especially concerning usury or oppressive debt collection.
Therefore, the core meaning branches from the internal state of forgetting to the external actions of neglecting, removing, or exacting, all stemming from the foundational idea of something being "lost" or "taken away" from remembrance or possession.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of נָשָׁה (nâshâh) in the Hebrew Bible illustrate its diverse applications:
* **To Forget (Literal/Spiritual):**
* In [[Genesis 41:51]], Joseph names his firstborn Manasseh, explaining, "For God has made me forget (נָשָׁה) all my toil and all my father's house." Here, it signifies a divine act of relieving past suffering and trauma.
* The concept of forgetting God is a recurring prophetic warning. [[Deuteronomy 32:18]] laments, "You forgot (נָשָׁה) the Rock who begot you," highlighting Israel's spiritual amnesia and apostasy. Similarly, [[Isaiah 17:10]] states, "Because you have forgotten (נָשָׁה) the God of your salvation." This forgetting is not a mere lapse but a deliberate turning away from covenant loyalty.
* Humanity's desire to forget misery is seen in [[Job 11:16]]: "You would forget (נָשָׁה) your misery."
* The psalmist expresses concern that God might "forget" His people or His graciousness, as in [[Psalm 77:9]]: "Has God forgotten (נָשָׁה) to be gracious?" This is a rhetorical question affirming God's unfailing nature.
* In the Niphal stem, the passive "to be forgotten" appears, as in [[Psalm 9:18]]: "For the needy shall not always be forgotten (נָשָׁה)." This speaks to God's remembrance of the afflicted.
* **To Cause to Forget:**
* [[Jeremiah 23:27]] warns against false prophets "who plan to make My people forget (נָשָׁה) My name by their dreams which everyone tells to his neighbor, just as their fathers forgot My name for Baal." This demonstrates the destructive power of false teaching in leading people away from God.
* **To Exact/Lend (Hiphil):**
* This usage frequently appears in contexts of social justice and economic ethics. In [[Nehemiah 5:7]] and [[Nehemiah 5:10]], Nehemiah confronts the nobles and officials for "exacting (נָשָׁה) interest, each from his brother." This highlights a violation of the Mosaic Law against usury among Israelites and a form of oppression against the poor.
* [[Jeremiah 30:14]] uses it in a punitive sense: "all who exact (נָשָׁה) from you I will give for plunder." This shows divine judgment against those who oppress through debt.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of נָשָׁה (nâshâh) is rich and interconnected with other significant biblical terms:
* **Forgetting vs. Remembering:** The most prominent contrast is with `{{H2142}}` (zāḵar), "to remember." While humans often forget God and His commands, God is consistently portrayed as remembering His covenant and His people ([[Psalm 105:8]], [[Psalm 106:45]]). This tension underscores divine faithfulness versus human frailty.
* **Neglect/Disregard:** Concepts like `{{H7911}}` (śākaḥ), which also means "to forget" or "to neglect," often appear in similar contexts, emphasizing a failure to give due attention or care.
* **Forgiveness/Removal:** When God "forgets" sin, it is a metaphorical expression of His complete forgiveness and the removal of guilt. This aligns with concepts like `{{H5375}}` (nāśāʾ), "to lift, carry, forgive," and `{{H3722}}` (kāpar), "to atone, cover." God's act of forgetting sin means He no longer calls it to mind for condemnation ([[Isaiah 43:25]], [[Jeremiah 31:34]]).
* **Debt/Usury/Oppression:** The Hiphil usage of "to exact" is closely linked to terms for debt (e.g., `{{H5383}}` (neshî), derived from נָשָׁה), lending, and the broader biblical concern for social justice, particularly the protection of the vulnerable from economic exploitation. This stands in stark contrast to the divine command for equitable dealings and compassion towards the poor.
### Theological Significance
The theological import of נָשָׁה (nâshâh) is profound and multifaceted:
* **God's Unwavering Faithfulness:** While humans are prone to forgetting God's commands, His mighty acts, and His very being, God is depicted as one who *does not* forget His covenant promises or His people. This divine steadfastness (חֶסֶד, `{{H2617}}`) is a cornerstone of biblical theology. When God is said to "forget" sins, it is a powerful metaphor for His comprehensive and irreversible forgiveness, signifying that once atoned for, sin is utterly removed from His remembrance for condemnation.
* **Humanity's Spiritual Vulnerability:** The frequent admonition against "forgetting God" highlights a persistent human tendency towards spiritual amnesia. This forgetfulness leads to idolatry, disobedience, and a breakdown of the covenant relationship. It underscores the necessity of remembrance, meditation on God's word, and regular worship to counteract this innate human failing.
* **The Ethics of Justice and Compassion:** The Hiphil sense of "to exact" or "to lend on interest" brings to the forefront the biblical emphasis on social justice. The condemnation of those who "exact" from their brethren, particularly the poor, reveals God's deep concern for equitable economic practices and the protection of the vulnerable. It underscores that economic interactions are not merely secular transactions but are subject to divine ethical standards, reflecting God's own character of justice and compassion.
* **Divine Sovereignty over Suffering:** Joseph's naming of Manasseh reveals a theological perspective on suffering and memory. God's power to "make one forget" toil and pain suggests a divine capacity to bring healing and new beginnings, allowing individuals to move beyond past trauma through divine intervention.
### Summary
The Hebrew root נָשָׁה (nâshâh), `{{H5382}}`, fundamentally means "to forget," encompassing both a passive loss of memory and an active neglect. In its causative Hiphil stem, it expands to "to cause to forget," "to remove," and significantly, "to exact" or "to lend on interest," often implying oppressive debt collection. Theologically, this word illuminates the contrast between human spiritual forgetfulness and God's unwavering remembrance of His covenant and His people. It also powerfully describes God's complete forgiveness of sin, metaphorically "forgetting" them. Furthermore, the Hiphil usage underscores the biblical imperative for social justice and compassion, condemning the exploitation inherent in exacting oppressive debts. Thus, נָשָׁה speaks to core aspects of the divine-human relationship, human moral responsibility, and the ethical foundations of community life.
TRV