### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **shâkêach**, represented by `{{H7913}}`, means to **forget** or be **oblivious**. It appears **2 times** across **2 unique verses**, where it denotes a serious spiritual failure. The term describes the act of willfully neglecting or becoming oblivious to God and His commands.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H7913}}` is used to describe a deliberate turning away from God that carries severe consequences. In Psalms, it is stated that the wicked and "all the nations that **forget** God" will be turned into hell [[Psalms 9:17]]. Isaiah uses the word to condemn those who have forsaken the LORD, identifying them as those who "**forget** my holy mountain" to pursue other forms of worship [[Isaiah 65:11]]. In both instances, the act of forgetting is linked to judgment and active rebellion.
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the context and gravity of what it means to forget God:
* `{{H7563}}` **râshâʻ** (morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person): This term defines the character of those who forget God. The act of forgetting is not neutral; it is an attribute of the **wicked** [[Psalms 9:17]].
* `{{H5800}}` **ʻâzab** (to loosen, i.e. relinquish... forsake): This word is used in parallel with `{{H7913}}`, showing that to forget God is synonymous with the active choice to **forsake** Him [[Isaiah 65:11]].
* `{{H7725}}` **shûwb** (to turn back (hence, away)): This word describes the consequence for those who forget God, as they "shall be **turned** into hell" [[Psalms 9:17]]. Conversely, it is also the word used for the call to **return** to the LORD [[Isaiah 55:7]].
* `{{H430}}` **ʼĕlôhîym** (God): This is the one who is forgotten. To forget **God** is to reject the one who created heaven and earth [[Genesis 1:1]], who promises to lead and strengthen His people [[Isaiah 41:10]], and who requires justice and humility [[Micah 6:8]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H7913}}` is significant, highlighting a core aspect of spiritual apostasy.
* **Forgetting as Forsaking:** The scriptures link forgetting directly with forsaking. To **forget** God's holy mountain is to **forsake** the LORD Himself [[Isaiah 65:11]]. This implies that forgetting is not a passive lapse in memory but an active decision to abandon the covenant relationship.
* **A Characteristic of the Wicked:** Forgetting God is presented as a defining trait of the **wicked** `{{H7563}}`, placing it in direct opposition to the path of righteousness [[Psalms 9:17]].
* **Divine Judgment:** The act of forgetting God invites a divine response. Those who are oblivious to Him face the consequence of being "turned into hell" [[Psalms 9:17]], a reversal of the call for the wicked to turn back to God for mercy [[Isaiah 55:7]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{H7913}}` is a term that, while rare, carries immense theological gravity. It moves beyond the simple idea of being absent-minded and defines a deliberate state of being **oblivious** to God's presence, authority, and commands. This act is equated with forsaking the LORD, is a hallmark of the wicked, and results in judgment. It underscores the biblical principle that a foundational element of faith is active and continual remembrance of God.
TRV