Lexicon
peirazó: To test, to tempt, to try, to examine
Original Word:πειράζω
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:peirazó
Pronunciation:pi-rad'-zo
Phonetic Spelling:(pi-rad'-zo)
Definition:To test, to tempt, to try, to examine
Meaning:I try, tempt, test.
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
tempt, examine, try
Frompeira; to test (objectively), i.e. Endeavor, scrutinize, entice, discipline -- assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try.
see GREEKpeira
HELPS Word-studies
3985peirázō (from3984/peíra, "test, trial") – "originally totest, totry which was its usual meaning in the ancient Greek and in theLXX" (WP, 1, 30). "The word meanseither test or tempt" (WP, 1, 348).Context alone determines which sense is intended, or if both applysimultaneously.
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 positivetests in: Mt 4:11; Lk 22:28; 1 Cor 10:13; Js 1:12.
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
peiraDefinitionto make proof of, to attempt, test, tempt
NASB Translationdid (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 2:2Rec.); the
Sept. for
נִסָּה;
to try, i. e.:
1.to try whether a thing can be done; to attempt, endeavor: with an infinitive,Acts 9:26LTTrWH;.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 (whereGTWHTr text omit;Tr marginal reading brackets the wordsτίμεπειράζετε);John 8:6.
c. to try or test one's faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin; hence, according to the context equivalent toto 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,ὁπειράζων, a substantive,Vulg.tentator, etc.,the tempter:Matthew 4:3;1 Thessalonians 3:5.
d. After the O. T. usageα. 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 (seeπειράω); (where seeWH's Appendix);Revelation 3:10 (Genesis 22:1;Exodus 20:20;Deuteronomy 8:2; Wis. 3:5 Wis. 11:10(); Judith 8:25f).β. Men are saidπειράζειντόνΘεόν — by exhibitions of distrust, as though they wished to try whether he is not justly distrusted; by impious or wicked conduct to test God's justice and patience, and to challenge him, as it were, to give proof of his perfections:Acts 15:10;Hebrews 3:9RG (Exodus 17:2, 7;Numbers 14:22;Psalm 77:41 (),; (), etc.; cf. Grimm, Exgt. Hdb. on Sap., p. 49); namely,τόνΧριστόν (LTTr textWHτόνκύριον),1 Corinthians 10:9 (butL marginal readingTWH marginal readingἐξεπείρασαν);τόκυρίου,Acts 5:9; absolutelyπειράζεινἐνδοιμασια (seeδοκιμασία),Hebrews 3:9LTTrWH. (Onπειράζω (as compared withδοκιμάζω), seeTrench, § lxxiv.; cf.Cremer, under the word. Compare:ἐξπειράζω.)
Topical Lexicon
Word Origin:Derived from the Greek word πειρά (peira), meaning "a trial" or "an attempt."Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries:The Greek word πειράζω corresponds to several Hebrew terms that convey similar meanings of testing or trying, including:
•H5254 נָסָה (nasah): Meaning "to test" or "to try," often used in the context of God testing the faithfulness of His people (e.g.,Genesis 22:1).
•H974 בָּחַן (bachan): Meaning "to examine" or "to prove," used in contexts of testing character or integrity (e.g.,Psalm 26:2).
•H3985 מָאַס (ma'as): Meaning "to reject" or "to refuse," sometimes used in the context of testing or proving something unworthy (e.g.,Judges 2:21).
This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the term πειράζω, illustrating its varied applications in the New Testament and its connections to Hebrew concepts of testing and temptation.
Usage:The term πειράζω is used in various contexts within the New Testament, ranging from the testing of faith to the temptation to sin. It appears in both literal and metaphorical senses, often depending on the subject and object involved in the action.
Context:•Testing and Trials: In the New Testament, πειράζω is frequently used to describe the testing of believers' faith and character. For example,James 1:13-14 states, "When tempted, no one should say, 'God is tempting me.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed." Here, the distinction is made between trials that test faith and temptations that lead to sin.
•Temptation by Evil: The word is also used to describe the act of tempting someone to do evil, often attributed to Satan or human desires. InMatthew 4:1, Jesus is led into the wilderness "to be tempted by the devil." This passage highlights the adversarial role of Satan in attempting to lead Jesus away from His divine mission.
•Divine Testing: In some instances, πειράζω is used to describe God's testing of individuals, not to lead them into sin, but to refine and strengthen their faith.Hebrews 11:17 recounts, "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac." This demonstrates a test of faith and obedience rather than a temptation to sin.
•Human Testing of God: The term can also refer to humans testing God, often in a negative sense, as seen inActs 5:9, where Peter asks Ananias and Sapphira, "How could you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord?" This usage implies a lack of faith or trust in God's provision or commands.
Forms and Transliterations
επειραζεν ἐπείραζεν επειραζον επείραζον ἐπείραζον επείρασα επειρασαν επείρασαν επείρασάν ἐπείρασαν επειρασας επείρασας ἐπείρασας επείρασε επειρασεν επείρασεν ἐπείρασεν επειρασθησαν επειράσθησαν ἐπειράσθησαν επειράτο επειρώντο πειραζει πειράζει πειράζειν πειραζεται πειράζεται πειραζετε πειράζετε πειραζη πειράζη πειράζῃ πειραζομαι πειράζομαι πειραζομενοις πειραζομένοις πειραζομενος πειραζόμενος πειραζοντες πειράζοντες πειραζων πειράζων πειρασαι πειράσαι πειράση πειρασθεις πειρασθείς πειρασθηναι πειρασθήναι πειρασθῆναι πειρασθης πειρασθής πειρασθῇς πειρασθητε πειρασθήτε πειρασθῆτε πείρασον πείρασόν πειράσω πεπειραμένον πεπειρασμενον πεπειρασμένον epeirasan epeírasan epeirasas epeírasas epeirasen epeírasen epeirasthesan epeirasthēsan epeirásthesan epeirásthēsan epeirazen epeírazen epeirazon epeírazon peirasai peirásai peirastheis peirastheís peirasthêis peirasthē̂is peirasthenai peirasthênai peirasthēnai peirasthē̂nai peirasthes peirasthēs peirasthete peirasthête peirasthēte peirasthē̂te peiraze peirazē peirazei peirázei peirázēi peirazetai peirázetai peirazete peirázete peirazomai peirázomai peirazomenois peirazoménois peirazomenos peirazómenos peirazon peirazōn peirázon peirázōn peirazontes peirázontes pepeirasmenon pepeirasménonLinks
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