forsake

Everyday

1. To leave someone and stop helping or caring for them; to abandon. tree →
2. To give up something you used to have or do. tree →

In the lessons

A formal, old-fashioned word found in the Bible, hymns, poems and old stories: «I will never leave you nor forsake you». Christians believe God does not forsake people. Jesus' cry on the cross, «My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?», comes from Psalm 22. In everyday life people say «abandon», «leave» or «give up».

Examples

• The Bible says, «I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.» tree →
• He would not forsake his friends in danger. tree →
• The village was forsaken, with every house empty. tree →
• She forsook her comfortable life to help the poor. tree →
• Toad promised to forsake motor-cars for ever, but he didn't keep his promise. tree →
• Don't forsake your old friends when you make new ones. tree →
• The forsaken puppy was found by the roadside. tree →
• ‘Oh, good father,’ cried the young man, ‘you will not forsake me? tree →

Note

Irregular verb: forsake – forsook – forsaken (like take – took – taken). «Forsaken» is also an adjective: lonely, abandoned. Formal and old-fashioned; in everyday speech use «leave» or «give up». «Godforsaken» describes a lonely, miserable place.

In Jewish tradition

It means to abandon, as in the duty not to abandon the Levite, who had no land, and God's promise not to abandon Israel.

Interpretation. The Levite law is read as the duty to support those who serve God and have no land. God's promise not to forsake is a comfort that Moses gives Joshua.

Examples

• Take heed to thyself that thou forsake not the Levite as long as thou livest upon thy land. (Torah DEU.12.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the Levite that is within thy gates, thou shalt not forsake him; for he hath no portion nor inheritance with thee. (Torah DEU.14.27, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the LORD, He it is that doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee; fear not, neither be dismayed.' (Torah DEU.31.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• They that regard lying vanities forsake their own mercy. (Prophets JON.2.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• I will observe Thy statutes; O forsake me not utterly. (Writings PSA.119.8, JPS 1917) tree →
• For I give you good doctrine; forsake ye not my teaching. (Writings PRO.4.2, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Irregular verb: forsake – forsook – forsaken (like take – took – taken). «Forsaken» is also an adjective: lonely, abandoned. Formal and old-fashioned; in everyday speech use «leave» or «give up». «Godforsaken» describes a lonely, miserable place.