Strong's Lexicon peirazó: To test, to tempt, to try, to examine Original Word: πειράζω Word Origin: From the Greek word "peira" meaning "a trial" or "an attempt." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - H5254 (נָסָה, nasah): To test, to try, often used in the context of God testing the faithfulness of His people. - H974 (בָּחַן, bachan): To examine, to try, often used in the context of refining or proving. Usage: Peirazó is a verb used in the New Testament to describe the act of testing or trying someone or something. It can refer to both positive testing, such as examining the quality or faithfulness of a person, and negative testing, such as tempting someone to do evil. The context in which it is used often determines whether the connotation is positive or negative. In a positive sense, it can refer to God testing the faith of believers to strengthen them. In a negative sense, it can refer to Satan or evil forces tempting individuals to sin. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, testing was a common concept, whether in the context of education, military, or philosophy. Testing was seen as a means to prove the worth or capability of an individual. In the Jewish tradition, testing by God was understood as a way to refine and purify faith, as seen in the stories of Abraham and Job. The New Testament reflects this dual understanding of testing as both a divine tool for growth and a potential snare for sin. HELPS Word-studies 3985 peirázō (from 3984 /peíra, "test, trial") – "originally to test, to try which was its usual meaning in the ancient Greek and in the LXX" (WP, 1, 30). "The word means either test or tempt" (WP, 1, 348). Context alone determines which sense is intended, or if both apply simultaneously. 3985 (peirazō) means "tempt" ("negative sense") in: Mt 16:1, 19:3, 22:18,35; Mk 8:11, 10:2, 12:15; Lk 11:16, 20:33; Jn 8:6; Js 1:13,14. 3985 (peirazō) however is used of positive tests in: Mt 4:11; Lk 22:28; 1 Cor 10:13; Js 1:12. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom peira Definition to make proof of, to attempt, test, tempt NASB Translation did (1), put (1), put to the test (2), tempt (2), tempted (13), tempter (2), test (6), tested (2), testing (7), tried (2), trying (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3985: πειράζωπειράζω (a form found several times in Homer and Apoll. Rhod. and later prose, for πειράω (which see in Veitch) more common in the other Greek writings); imperfect ἐπείραζον; 1 aorist ἐπείρασα; passive, present πειράζομαι; 1 aorist ἐπειρασθην; perfect participle πεπειρασμενος (Hebrews 4:15; see πειράω, 1); 1 aorist middle 2 person singular ἐπειράσω (Revelation 2:2 Rec.); the Sept. for נִסָּה; to try, i. e.: 1. to try whether a thing can be done; to attempt, endeavor: with an infinitive, Acts 9:26 L T Tr WH; 2. to try, make trial of, test: τινα, for the purpose of ascertaining his quality, or what he thinks, or how he will behave himself; a. in a good sense: Matthew 22:35 (others refer this to b.); John 6:6; (2 Corinthians 13:5); Revelation 2:2. b. in a bad sense: to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgment, Matthew 16:1; Matthew 19:3; Matthew 22:18, 35; Mark 8:11; Mark 10:2; Mark 12:15; Luke 11:16; Luke 20:23 (where G T WH Tr text omit; Tr marginal reading brackets the words τί με πειράζετε); John 8:6. c. to try or test one's faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin; hence, according to the context equivalent to to solicit to sin, to tempt: James 1:13; Galatians 6:1; Revelation 2:10; of the temptations of the devil, Matthew 4:1, 3; Mark 1:13; Luke 4:2; 1 Corinthians 7:5; 1 Thessalonians 3:5; hence, ὁ πειράζων, a substantive, Vulg.tentator, etc., the tempter: Matthew 4:3; 1 Thessalonians 3:5. d. After the O. T. usage α. of God; to inflict evils upon one in order to prove his character and the steadfastness of his faith: 1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 2:18; Hebrews 4:15 (see πειράω); From peira; to test (objectively), i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline -- assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try. see GREEK peira Englishman's Concordance Matthew 4:1 V-ANPGRK: τοῦ πνεύματος πειρασθῆναι ὑπὸ τοῦ NAS: into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. KJV: the wilderness to be tempted of INT: the Spirit to be tempted by the Matthew 4:3 V-PPA-NMS Matthew 16:1 V-PPA-NMP Matthew 19:3 V-PPA-NMP Matthew 22:18 V-PIA-2P Matthew 22:35 V-PPA-NMS Mark 1:13 V-PPM/P-NMS Mark 8:11 V-PPA-NMP Mark 10:2 V-PPA-NMP Mark 12:15 V-PIA-2P Luke 4:2 V-PPM/P-NMS Luke 11:16 V-PPA-NMP John 6:6 V-PPA-NMS John 8:6 V-PPA-NMP Acts 5:9 V-ANA Acts 9:26 V-IIA-3S Acts 15:10 V-PIA-2P Acts 16:7 V-IIA-3P Acts 24:6 V-IIA-3S 1 Corinthians 7:5 V-PSA-3S 1 Corinthians 10:9 V-AIA-3P 1 Corinthians 10:13 V-ANP 2 Corinthians 13:5 V-PMA-2P Galatians 6:1 V-ASP-2S 1 Thessalonians 3:5 V-IIA-3S Strong's Greek 3985 |