Sense: forgiveness (absolution)
n. — a formal release from an obligation or debt; especially understood of the debt of sin.
Let it be known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, . . .
Acts 13:38
Why are there two different senses of forgiveness in the Bible Sense Lexicon? A close look at the entries for forgiveness (absolution) and forgiveness (offense) reveals that forgiveness (absolution) only has a Greek word associated with it (ἄφεσις) and forgiveness (offense) only has a Hebrew word associated with it (סְלִיחָה). The Greek term appears to be an extension from the concept of release from an obligation or debt. Other Hebrew lexicons, like BDB and HALOT, provide no clear information that this is happening with סְלִיחָה. Keep in mind, when using the Bible Sense Lexicon, that it may suggest differences in concepts across languages as much as it may suggest similarities.
What is the Bible Sense Lexicon?
Sense of the Day is based on content from Logos’ Bible Sense Lexicon, which organizes biblical Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek words by meaning based on a variety of semantic relationships. Sense of the Day provides examples of senses in context, along with insight into their application for theology and interpretation.
The Bible Sense Lexicon is a Logos dataset available in Logos 5 Gold and higher base packages. If you’re enrolled in the Logos Academic Discount Program, you can also find the Bible Sense Lexicon in the Biblical Languages base package. Take your studies even further by exploring semantic domains, engaging the biblical text like never before.
Learn more about the Bible Sense Lexicon.