The science of semantics, or the science of signification, is a branch of linguistics that scientifically examines meaning and analyzes the meaning of words according to their semantic system. In semantics, the method of semantic domains is used to study meaning. Japanese scholar Izutsu has two approaches in his Quranic studies: the first approach is temporal semantics, which examines meaning based on the evolution of meaning over time, and the second approach is synchronous semantics, which does not consider changes in words over time; rather, the entire text is examined over a period of time and analyzed based on semantic relations, the most important of which are the relations of coexistence, substitution, and opposition.
The word "Ghafar" with its various derivatives is one of the most frequently used words in the Holy Quran, which has been used a total of 234 times in the Quran. This research has used the semantic method and with the help of interpretations to extract the words that are associated and substitute, as well as the words that are opposite to the word "Ghafar". This word is associated in the Holy Quran with words such as "Tawbah", "Taqwa" and .... Some of these companions are considered causes and factors of forgiveness, while others have provided the basis for divine forgiveness, and some are also the fruits of seeking forgiveness. In terms of substitution, this word has semantic similarity with words such as "Kuffar", "Affa", "Hitta", "Jawuz" and ..., and each of these substitute words shows divine forgiveness in a way. This word also has a contrastive relationship with some words such as: “He is tormented”. Asking for forgiveness and seeking forgiveness at the right time has a special effect, and at dawn, prayer and seeking forgiveness are closer to being answered. In the Holy Quran, people who ask for forgiveness such as Prophet Adam, Abraham, David (peace be upon him), ... who have asked for forgiveness for themselves, believers, parents, and r