λήθη (lēthē)
lēthē
forgetfulness
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun lēthē simply means forgetfulness or a state of being forgotten. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in 2 Peter 1:9, where the author warns that failing to practice Christian virtues leads to a spiritual blindness characterized by this forgetfulness.
Its root connects to the verb lanthanō, meaning "to escape notice" or "to be unaware." This etymology suggests that forgetting here is not merely a lapse of memory but a failure to perceive or acknowledge reality. The phrase used in 2 Peter implies that such forgetfulness takes hold of a person, obscuring their understanding of their own cleansing from past sins.
Translators consistently render this word as "forgetful" or "forgotten," highlighting the passive nature of the condition. It describes a state where one’s spiritual identity is lost to view, emphasizing the importance of active engagement in faith to avoid slipping into obscurity.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When we read about forgetfulness in 2 Peter, it sounds like a simple lapse of memory, but the Greek word lēthē points to something deeper. It describes a state where spiritual realities slip out of view, leaving us blind to who we are in Christ. This isn't just about forgetting an appointment; it is about losing sight of the cleansing grace that defines our lives.
The passage warns that lacking these virtues leads to this kind of spiritual obscurity. When we do not actively practice faith, love, and self-control, the truth of our forgiven past can fade into the background. We begin to see only what is immediately in front of us, rather than the full scope of God's work in us.
This reminder invites us to stay engaged with our faith daily. By cultivating these qualities, we keep our eyes open to the reality of our cleansing from old sins. It is a call to remember not just as an act of will, but as a way of living that keeps our spiritual vision clear and steady.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- forgetfulness1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- λήθην1×
Key Verses
-
II Peter 1:9
For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.
This verse identifies lēthē as the condition resulting from a lack of Christian virtues, showing how it blinds believers to their past cleansing.