Define

• Hebrew: nissâ (נִסָּה) – “to test, prove, try”
  (See Genesis 22:1; Exodus 16:4; 20:20; Deuteronomy 8:2, 16; 13:3; Judges 2:22; Psalm 26:2; Job 23:10)

• Greek: peirasmos (πειρασμός) – “trial, test, temptation” (act of testing or the enticement to sin) (See James 1:2, 12, 13, 14; Matthew 6:13; 26:41; Luke 4:13; 1 Corinthians 10:13; 1 Peter 1:6; 4:12; Revelation 3:10)

Related words

Additional Info

• God tests (peirazō) but never tempts to evil (James 1:13; cf. Genesis 22:1 – God nissâ Abraham).
• The same event can be trial (from God) or temptation (from within) – context determines meaning.

Connections

• Deuteronomy 8:2 (nissâ) → James 1:2–3 – God tests Israel in wilderness → produces maturity;
• Genesis 22:1 (nissâ) → James 1:12 – Abraham tested → blessed; enduring peirasmos → crown of life.
• Job 23:10 (bāḥan) → “When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” → testing of faith produces patience.
• 1 Peter 1:6–7 (peirasmos + pyrōsis) → – rejoice in manifold trials → faith proven genuine.
• Matthew 6:13 (“lead us not into peirasmos”) →