Strong's Lexicon
peirasmos: Temptation, trial, testing
Original Word:πειρασμός
Part of Speech:Noun, Masculine
Transliteration:peirasmos
Pronunciation:pi-ras-MOS
Phonetic Spelling:(pi-ras-mos')
Definition:Temptation, trial, testing
Meaning:(a) trial, probation, testing, being tried, (b) temptation, (c) calamity, affliction.
Word Origin:Derived from the Greek verb πειράζω (peirazō), meaning "to test" or "to tempt."
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries:The Hebrew equivalent often associated with "peirasmos" is מַסָּה (massah), which also means testing or trial, as seen in passages like Deuteronomy 6:16.
Usage:In the New Testament, "peirasmos" primarily refers to a situation or process that tests a person's character, faith, or endurance. It can denote both external trials and internal temptations. The term is used to describe circumstances that challenge believers, either through persecution, hardship, or enticement to sin. The context often determines whether the emphasis is on testing or temptation.
Cultural and Historical Background:In the Greco-Roman world, trials and tests were common themes in philosophical and religious discourse. The concept of testing was often associated with refining or proving one's character. In Jewish thought, trials were seen as opportunities for growth and demonstration of faithfulness to God. The early Christian community, facing persecution and moral challenges, would have understood "peirasmos" as both a test of faith and a potential stumbling block.
HELPS Word-studies
Cognate: 3986peirasmós (from3985/peirázō) –temptation ortest – both senses can applysimultaneously (depending on the context). The positive sense ("test") and negative sense ("temptation") are functions of the context (not merely the words themselves).
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originfrom
peirazóDefinitionan experiment, a trial, temptation
NASB Translationtemptation (12), testing (2), trial (3), trials (4).
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 3986: πειρασμόςπειρασμός,
πειρασμοῦ,
ὁ (
πειράζω, which see), the
Sept. for
מַסָּה,
an experiment, attempt, trial, proving; (
Vulg.tentatio);
a. universally,trial, proving: Sir. 27:5, 7;τόνπειρασμόνὑμῶνἐντῇσαρκίμου, the trial made of you by my bodily condition, since this condition served to test the love of the Galatians toward Paul,Galatians 4:14LTTrWH (cf.
b. below, andLightfoot at the passage).
b. specifically,the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy, etc.:1 Peter 4:12; alsoan enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from outward circumstances,Luke 8:13;1 Corinthians 10:13;ὑπομένεινπειρασμόν,James 1:12; an internal temptation to sin,1 Timothy 6:9; of the temptation by which the devil sought to divert Jesus the Messiah from his divine errand,Luke 4:13; of a condition of things, or a mental state, by which we are enticed to sin, or to a lapse from faith and holiness: in the phrasesεἰσφέρειντιναεἰςπειρασμόν,Matthew 6:13;Luke 11:4;ἐισέρχεσθαιεἰςπειρασμόν,Matthew 26:41;Mark 14:38 (hereTWHἔλθητε);Luke 22:40, 46;adversity, affliction, trouble (cf. ourtrial), sent by God and serving to test or prove one's faith, holiness, character: plural,Luke 22:28;Acts 20:19;James 1:2;1 Peter 1:6;τόνπειρασμόνμουτόνἐντῇσαρκίμου, my temptation arising from my bodily infirmity,Galatians 4:14Rec. (but see a. above);ὥρατοῦπειρασμοῦ,Revelation 3:10;ἐκπειρασμοῦῤύεσθαι,2 Peter 2:9 (Deuteronomy 7:19;Deuteronomy 29:3; Sir. 2:1 Sir. 6:7 Sir. 36:1 (Sir. 33:1); 1 Macc. 2:52).
c. 'temptation' (i. e.trial)of God by men, i. e. rebellion against God, by which his power and justice are, as It were, put to the proof and challenged to show themselves:Hebrews 3:8 (Deuteronomy 6:16;Deuteronomy 9:22;Psalm 94:8 ()). Cf. Fried. B. Koester, Die Biblical Lehre yon der Versuchung. Gotha, 1859. (The word has not yet been found in secular authors exceptDioscorides (?) praef. i.τούςἐπίπαθῶνπειρασμούς experiments made on diseases.)
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
temptationFrompeirazo; a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity -- temptation, X try.
see GREEKpeirazo
Forms and Transliterations
πειρασμοις πειρασμοίς πειρασμοῖς πειρασμον πειρασμόν πειρασμὸν πειρασμος πειρασμός πειρασμὸς πειρασμου πειρασμού πειρασμοῦ πειρασμόυ πειρασμούς πειρασμω πειρασμώ πειρασμῷ πειρασμων πειρασμών πειρασμῶν πειραταίς πειρατεύσει πειρατήρια πειρατήριον πειρατήριόν πειρατηρίου πειράτου πειρατών peirasmo peirasmō peirasmôi peirasmō̂i peirasmois peirasmoîs peirasmon peirasmón peirasmòn peirasmôn peirasmōn peirasmō̂n peirasmos peirasmòs peirasmou peirasmoûLinks
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