What Does “Forsake” Mean in the Bible?
To leave alone and without help someone who needs it.
It can mean
- On the cross: Jesus spoke in our name the words of Psalm 22: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
- In the Bible: Daniel, in the lions’ den, said that God does not forsake those who love him.
Where it appears in the Bible
Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34; Daniel 14:37
What the Bible says
Matthew 27:46
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying: Eli, Eli, lamma sabacthani? that is, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Mark 15:34
And at the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying: Eloi, Eloi, lamma sabacthani? Which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
Daniel 14:37
And Habacuc cried, saying: O Daniel, thou servant of God, take the dinner that God hath sent thee.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: RAE, “desamparar”; Catechism 603