Forgiveness
5 connections across theological concepts
Connections
Repentance (teshuvah) opens the door to forgiveness (selichah) — turning back precedes being pardoned
Arabic kaffarah and Hebrew kippur share the Semitic root כ-פ-ר / غ-ف-ر (to cover)
Hebrew kaphar (to cover, atone) and salach (to forgive) both describe removal of sin's barrier — covering sin IS forgiveness in the Hebrew sacrificial system.
Divine forgiveness (salach, aphiemi) and divine judgment (din, krima) are held in creative tension — God forgives the repentant and judges the unrepentant. Psalm 130 holds both: 'with you there is forgiveness... that you may be feared.'
Atonement (kapparah) is the mechanism; forgiveness (salach) is the result. No forgiveness without atonement in the Levitical system — Christ's atonement is the ultimate basis of divine forgiveness.
Etymology
To give completely, grant
English 'forgive' from Old English 'forgiefan' — to give up a debt or claim
To bear, carry away, pardon
From root ס-ל-ח. Also נָשָׂא (nasa) — to lift/carry away guilt. Central to Yom Kippur liturgy
To release, send away, let go
Literally 'sending away' — Jesus: 'Forgive and you will be forgiven' (Luke 6:37)
Forgiveness, concealment of sins
From root غ-ف-ر (to cover/conceal). Al-Ghafur (The Forgiving) is one of the 99 Names of Allah
Forgiveness, forbearance, patience
One of the ten virtues (yamas) in Hinduism. Kshama is considered the highest dharma
Greek Roots
forgiveness, release, remission