The term "assay" in biblical context refers to the process of testing or examining something to determine its nature, quality, or value. This concept is often used metaphorically in Scripture to describe the testing of faith, character, or spiritual integrity. The idea of assaying is closely related to refining processes, such as the purification of metals, which is a common biblical metaphor for spiritual purification and growth.

Biblical Usage

1. Testing of Faith and Character: The concept of assaying is frequently used to describe the testing of an individual's faith or character. In the Bible, God often allows His people to undergo trials to test their faith and refine their character. This is akin to the process of assaying metals to determine their purity and strength. For example, in James 1:2-3 , it is written, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

2. Refinement and Purification: The process of assaying is also linked to the idea of refinement and purification. Just as metals are refined by fire to remove impurities, believers are often described as being refined through trials and tribulations. In 1 Peter 1:6-7 , the apostle Peter writes, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in various trials, so that the proven character of your faith—more precious than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

3. Divine Examination: The Bible also speaks of God as the one who assays or examines the hearts and minds of individuals. This divine examination is not merely for judgment but also for the purpose of guiding and refining His people. In Jeremiah 17:10 , the Lord declares, "I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve."

4. Assaying in Wisdom Literature: The wisdom literature of the Bible, such as Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, often reflects on the theme of testing and examination. Proverbs 17:3 states, "A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts." This verse highlights the idea that just as metals are tested for their quality, so too are human hearts tested by God.

Historical and Cultural Context

In ancient times, the process of assaying was crucial for determining the value and authenticity of precious metals. This practice involved heating the metal to a high temperature to separate impurities from the pure metal. The imagery of assaying would have been familiar to the original biblical audience, who understood the importance of testing and refining in both material and spiritual contexts.

Theological Implications

Theologically, the concept of assaying underscores the importance of spiritual growth and maturity. It emphasizes that trials and tests are not merely punitive but are intended to strengthen and purify believers. This process is seen as essential for developing a faith that is genuine and enduring. The metaphor of assaying serves as a reminder that God is actively involved in the lives of His people, working to refine and perfect them for His purposes.1. (v.) To test or analyze; as to assay a situation; to assay the quantity of gold in a piece of ore

2. (n.) Examination and determination; test; as, an assay of bread or wine.

3. (n.) Trial by danger or by affliction; adventure; risk; hardship; state of being tried.

4. (n.) Tested purity or value.

5. (n.) The act or process of ascertaining the proportion of a particular metal in an ore or alloy; especially, the determination of the proportion of gold or silver in bullion or coin.

6. (n.) The alloy or metal to be assayed.

7. (v.) To try; to attempt; to apply.

8. (v.) To affect.

9. (v.) To try tasting, as food or drink.

10. (v.) To subject, as an ore, alloy, or other metallic compound, to chemical or metallurgical examination, in order to determine the amount of a particular metal contained in it, or to ascertain its composition.

11. (v. i.) To attempt, try, or endeavor.

ASSAY

a-sa' (ya'al; nacah; peirdzein; peirasthai; peiran lambanein): The Hebrew and Greek words which are rendered in the King James Version "assay" are so rendered in the Revised Version (British and American), and the use of it is extended in the Revised Version (British and American) in two additional cases. The Hebrew word ya'al (1 Samuel 17:39) is used of David clad in Saul's armor, who "assayed," that is, "tried unsuccessfully," to go and attack Goliath in it, for "he had not proved it," where nacah is the verb. In Deuteronomy 4:34 and Job 4:2 nacah is rendered "assay," in the sense of "attempt," "venture." In Acts 16:7 Paul is said to have "assayed," that is, "attempted" (but was hindered), to go into Bithynia, and now in Acts 24:6 Paul is charged with having "assayed," that is, "having had the audacity," to profane the temple, where peirazein is the verb used in both cases. In Acts 9:26, and now in the Revised Version (British and American) Acts 26:21, "assay," renders the verb peirasthai, "to attempt," in both cases unsuccessfully. In Hebrews 11:29 it translates two Greek words peiran lambanein "to make an attempt unsuccessfully."

T. Nicol.

3987. peiraomai -- to try, attempt
... Word Origin from peira Definition to try, attempt NASB Word Usage tried (1). assay.
From peira; to test (subjectively), ie (reflexively) to attempt -- assay. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3987.htm - 6k

3985. peirazo -- to make proof of, to attempt, test, tempt
... tempt, examine, try. From peira; to test (objectively), ie Endeavor, scrutinize,
entice, discipline -- assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3985.htm - 9k

2983. lambano -- to take, receive
... is rather subjective or passive, to have offered to one; while haireomai is more
violent, to seize or remove)) -- accept, + be amazed, assay, attain, bring, X ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2983.htm - 11k

5254. nasah -- to test, try
... adventure, assay, prove, tempt, try. A primitive root; to test; by implication,
to attempt -- adventure, assay, prove, tempt, try. 5253, 5254. nasah. 5255 ...
/hebrew/5254.htm - 6k

2974. yaal -- to show willingness, be pleased, determine ...
... undertook (1), ventured (2), willing (5). assay, begin, be content, please,
take upon, willingly, would. A primitive root (probably rather ...
/hebrew/2974.htm - 6k

974. bachan -- to examine, try
... root Definition to examine, try NASB Word Usage assay (2), examine (2), proved
(1), test (7), tested (3), tests (3), tried (5), tries (2), try (3). ...
/hebrew/974.htm - 6k

"By the Assay of this Falling we Shall have an High Marvellous ...
... ANENT CERTAIN POINTS IN THE FOREGOING FOURTEEN REVELATIONS CHAPTER LXI "By the assay
of this falling we shall have an high marvellous knowing of Love in God ...
/.../julian/revelations of divine love/chapter lxi by the assay.htm

And Bring us not into Temptation but Deliver us from Evil
... of the true meaning of the Savior's command will have reason to suppose that the
words in the twenty-fifth psalm, Test me, O Lord, and try me; assay my reins ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen on prayer/chapter xix and bring us.htm

An Hymn of Heavenly Love
... Drew millions more against their GOD to fight. Th' Almighty, seeing their
so bold assay,. Kindled the flame of His consuming ire,. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/iv an hymn of heavenly.htm

A Sermon of the Reverend Father Master Hugh Latimer, Preached in ...
... in which the ploughman hath not some special work to do: as in my country in
Leicestershire, the ploughman hath a time to set forth, and to assay his plough ...
/.../latimer/sermons on the card and other discourses/a sermon of the reverend.htm

Revelations of Divine Love
... CHAPTER LX "The Kind, loving, Mother". CHAPTER LXI "By the assay of this falling
we shall have an high marvellous knowing of Love in God, without end. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/julian/revelations of divine love/

The Love that Constrains
... He wishes you and every soul of man to love Him, and that, whatever else you bring,
lip reverence, orthodox belief, apparent surrender, in the assay shop of ...
/.../romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/the love that constrains.htm

Rom. Ix. 1
... For He that knoweth how to assay the soul, knoweth which is worthy of being
saved. Yield then to the incomprehensibleness of the election. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xvi rom ix 1.htm

The City of God
... shameful in the theatres. He who shall assay to dissuade from these pleasures,
let him be condemned as a public enemy. And if any ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii the city of god.htm

A Woman's Memorial
... If the spark were kindled to a flame, we should never be content with attending
to religion from a selfish motive; we should not assay to do holy works with ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/a womans memorial.htm

Matt. xix. 1
... For neither was the man disposed to usurpation, nor did he assay to depose the other
from his throne, but for him did he achieve all things, and was earnestly ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxii matt xix 1.htm

Assay (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v.) To test or analyze; as to assay a situation;
to assay the quantity of gold in a piece of ore. ...ASSAY. ...
/a/assay.htm - 9k

Essay (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (n.) An assay. See Assay. ... 5. (n.) To test the value and purity of (metals); to
assay. See Assay. Multi-Version Concordance Essay (1 Occurrence). ...
/e/essay.htm - 7k

Say (11805 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp.) Saw. 2. (n.) Trial by sample; assay; sample;
specimen; smack. ... 4. (n.) Essay; trial; attempt. 5. (vt) To try; to assay. ...
/s/say.htm - 7k

Parting (27 Occurrences)
... 10. (n.) The separation and determination of alloys; esp., the separation,
as by acids, of gold from silver in the assay button. 11. ...
/p/parting.htm - 15k

Condition (38 Occurrences)
... 11. (n.) To test or assay, as silk (to ascertain the proportion of moisture it
contains). 12. (n.) train; acclimate. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/c/condition.htm - 20k

Commune (7 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). Job 4:2 If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved?
but who can withhold himself from speaking? (KJV ASV WBS). ...
/c/commune.htm - 10k

Assayed (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Assay. Multi-Version Concordance
Assayed (5 Occurrences). Acts 9:26 And when Saul was come ...
/a/assayed.htm - 7k

Assaults (5 Occurrences)

/a/assaults.htm - 7k

Attempt (23 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To make trial or experiment of; to try; to endeavor to do or perform (some
action); to assay; as, to attempt to sing; to attempt a bold flight. ...
/a/attempt.htm - 14k

Weary (77 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV WBS NAS RSV NIV). Job 4:2 If one assay to commune with thee, wilt
thou be grieved? But who can withhold himself from speaking? (See JPS YLT). ...
/w/weary.htm - 29k

Does God tempt us to sin? | GotQuestions.org

Assay: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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