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
Greek Roots
forgiveness, release, remission