Forgiving
Forgiveness is divine mercy and human plea, with conditions.
The concept of forgiving in the Hebrew Scriptures is portrayed both as a divine attribute and a human request. God is described as 'keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin' (Exodus 34:7), yet also as one who 'will by no means clear the guilty' (Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18). Human figures, such as Joseph's brothers and Pharaoh, plead for forgiveness from one another or from God (Genesis 50:17; Exodus 10:17). Moses intercedes for Israel, asking God to forgive their sin or else blot him out of God's book (Exodus 32:32).
Quick Facts
- Divine forgiveness declared
- Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18
- Human plea for forgiveness
- Genesis 50:17
- Exodus 10:17
- 1 Samuel 25:28
Lore & Background
Forgiveness in these passages is often sought in moments of crisis or guilt. Joseph's brothers, after their father's death, send a message begging Joseph to forgive their past evil, which moves Joseph to weep (Genesis 50:17). Pharaoh, after the plague of locusts, asks Moses to forgive his sin 'only this once' and to entreat God to remove the death (Exodus 10:17). Abigail, in a diplomatic plea, asks David to forgive her trespass, citing the LORD's future establishment of his house (1 Samuel 25:28).
Reader's Guide
The passages portray forgiveness as a divine prerogative that is both merciful and just. God is 'longsuffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression' (Numbers 14:18), yet He does not clear the guilty and visits iniquity to later generations (Exodus 34:7). Human forgiveness is often conditional: a father or husband can disallow a woman's vow, and then 'the LORD shall forgive her' (Numbers 30:5, 8, 12). In Solomon's temple prayer, forgiveness is repeatedly tied to hearing from heaven and responding to the people's supplication (1 Kings 8:30, 34, 36, 39, 50; 2 Chronicles 6:21, 25, 27, 30, 39). Joshua warns that God will not forgive transgressions if the people attempt to serve Him while clinging to other gods (Joshua 24:19). Moses' bold intercession offers his own life as a substitute if God will not forgive Israel (Exodus 32:32).
Elsewhere in Figures of Scripture
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