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.

Cognate: 3986 peirasmós (from 3985 /peirázō) – temptation or test – both senses can apply simultaneously (depending on the context). The positive sense ("test") and negative sense ("temptation") are functions of the context (not merely the words themselves).

Word Origin
from peirazó
Definition
an experiment, a trial, temptation
NASB Translation
temptation (12), testing (2), trial (3), trials (4).

STRONGS NT 3986: πειρασμός

πειρασμός, πειρασμοῦ, ὁ (πειράζω, which see), the Sept. for מַסָּה, an experiment, attempt, trial, proving; (Vulg.tentatio);

a. universally, trial, proving: Sir. 27:5, 7; τόν πειρασμόν ὑμῶν ἐν τῇ σαρκί μου, the trial made of you by my bodily condition, since this condition served to test the love of the Galatians toward Paul, Galatians 4:14 L T Tr WH (cf.

b. below, and Lightfoot at the passage).

b. specifically, the trial of man's fidelity, integrity, virtue, constancy, etc.: 1 Peter 4:12; also an enticement to sin, temptation, whether arising from the desires or from outward circumstances, Luke 8:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13; ὑπομένειν πειρασμόν, 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 phrases εἰσφέρειν τινα εἰς πειρασμόν, Matthew 6:13; Luke 11:4; ἐισέρχεσθαι εἰς πειρασμόν, Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38 (here T WH ἔλθητε); Luke 22:40, 46; adversity, affliction, trouble (cf. our trial), 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; τόν πειρασμόν μου τόν ἐν τῇ σαρκί μου, my temptation arising from my bodily infirmity, Galatians 4:14 Rec. (but see a. above); ὥρα τοῦ πειρασμοῦ, Revelation 3:10; ἐκ πειρασμοῦ ῤύεσθαι, 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 except Dioscorides (?) praef. i. τούς ἐπί παθῶν πειρασμούς experiments made on diseases.)

temptation

From peirazo; a putting to proof (by experiment (of good), experience (of evil), solicitation, discipline or provocation); by implication, adversity -- temptation, X try.

see GREEK peirazo

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 peirasmoûInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts