λήθη
lḗthē
G3024 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
State of forgetfulness, condition in which something is not remembered or recalled; also, oblivion, the act or process of becoming forgotten. The primary meaning centers on the loss or absence of memory, either active (to forget) or passive (to be forgotten or lost from memory).
Semantic Range
forgetfulness, oblivion, state or condition of being forgotten, loss of memory, erasure from awareness
Root / Etymology
From the root λανθ- (λανθάνω), meaning 'to escape notice, to be hidden, to forget.' λήθη is the abstract noun form indicating the state or quality of being forgotten.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In classical Greek, λήθη denotes forgetfulness or oblivion, often contrasted with μνήμη (memory, remembrance). It appears in literary and philosophical works (e.g., Homer, Plato) where it represents literal forgetfulness, the state after death (as in the River Lethe), or metaphorical ignorance. In Hellenistic and Koine contexts, the term maintains its sense of forgetfulness or oblivion, but is rare in the Septuagint and not present in the New Testament. Later, in philosophical and poetic usage, it carries connotations of escape from suffering via oblivion, or a desired state of being forgotten. English translations as 'forget' or 'forgetfulness' convey only part of its spectrum, sometimes missing the nuance of intentional or existential oblivion.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from λανθάνω; forgetfulness:--+ forget.
Root Family
λήθη (lḗthē) — forgetfulness, oblivion, hiddenness, loss of memory
Word Forms
1 distinct form
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3024-01 |
λήθην | lethen | N ACC F SG |
forgetfulness | forgetfulness | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G3024-01 |
2 Peter 1:9 | λήθην | lethen | N ACC F SG |
forgetfulness | forgetfulness |