Vergebenen

Vergebenen is a German term derived from the verb vergeben, which means to forgive or to grant. When used as a noun, Vergebenen refers to people who have received forgiveness, typically in religious or moral contexts. As an adjective, the participle form vergebene is used to describe something that has already been forgiven, for example vergebene Schuld (forgiven debt).

Grammatical notes: Vergebenen can function as a substantive plural, written with a capital V as Die Vergebenen, meaning “the forgiven ones.” The corresponding singular masculine form is der Vergebene (the forgiven man), with related forms for other genders and numbers following standard German declension. The word can also appear attributively as vergebene Schuld or predicatively in phrases such as Er ist der Vergebene.

Usage and nuance: In Christian theology and related literature, Vergebung (forgiveness) and Vergebung durch Gott oder die Kirche are central concepts, and Vergebenen may be used to designate those who have received divine forgiveness or absolution. Outside strictly theological contexts, the term can appear in moral or literary discussions to describe individuals or groups acknowledged as having been pardoned, or more figuratively to denote reconciliation and mercy within a community.

See also: Vergebung, Absolution, Schuld, Entschuldigung. These related terms cover the broader notions of forgiveness, formal absolution, debt cancellation, and apology.