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ἐπιλησμονή

epilēsmonḗ

G1953 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

The state of forgetfulness, a condition or act of failing to remember, especially through negligence or disregard; denotes an active or passive process of letting something slip from memory, whether unintentionally (neglect, inattentiveness) or deliberately (disregard). The word most often describes a situation in which something that should be remembered or acted upon is neglected or overlooked.

Semantic Range

forgetfulness, neglect (due to forgetfulness), state of being oblivious, condition of neglecting to remember, negligence (in failing to act on knowledge)

Root / Etymology

Derived from the verb ἐπιλανθάνομαι (to forget, to neglect), itself composed of the prefix ἐπί- (upon, in addition) with λανθάνω (to escape notice, to forget). ἐπιλησμονή is a noun formed with the -μονή suffix, signifying a state or quality.

Historical & Contextual Notes

ἐπιλησμονή is a post-classical noun, rare in both Hellenistic and later Greek, attested primarily in Koine Greek contexts (notably in James 1:25 of the New Testament). The word is used to describe a forgetful state, particularly in ethical or exhortative settings, implying negligence or inattention to obligations, ideas, or moral imperatives. In classical Greek, other terms such as λήθη (forgetfulness, oblivion) are more common for the general idea of forgetting, while ἐπιλησμονή suggests an additional sense of personal neglect or disregard. The Septuagint does not appear to use the term. English translations often render the word as 'forgetfulness' or include it in the phrase 'forgetful hearer,' but these can obscure the nuance of culpable negligence that the Greek may convey. The formation from ἐπιλανθάνομαι marks it as a specifically Koine/late Hellenistic term for the condition or result of failing to remember, rather than the process itself.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from a derivative of ἐπιλανθάνομαι; negligence:--X forgetful.

Root Family

ἐπιλησμονή (epilēsmonē) — forgetfulness, neglect, failure to remember

Root λανθ- to forget, to fail to remember, to neglect

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G1953-01 ἐπιλησμονῆς epilesmones N GEN F SG forgetful of forgetful neglect forgetful neglect 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G1953-01 James 1:25 ἐπιλησμονῆς epilesmones N GEN F SG forgetful of forgetful neglect forgetful neglect
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