πειράζω (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 (Heb 4:15; see πειράω, 1); 1 aorist middle 2 person singular ἐπειράσω (Rev 2:2 Rec.); the Sept. for ðÄñÈÌä; to try, i. e.:

1. to try whether a thing can be done; to attempt, endeavor: with an infinitive, Act 9:26 L T Tr WH; .

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: Mat 22:35 (others refer this to b.); Joh 6:6; (2Co 13:5); Rev 2:2.

b. in a bad sense: to test one maliciously, craftily to put to the proof his feelings or judgment, Mat 16:1; Mat 19:3; Mat 22:18; Mat 22:35; Mar 8:11; Mar 10:2; Mar 12:15; Luk 11:16; Luk 20:23 (where G T WH Tr text omit; Tr marginal reading brackets the words τί με πειράζετε); Joh 8:6.

c. to try or test one’s faith, virtue, character, by enticement to sin; hence, according to the context equivalent to to solicit to sin, to tempt: Jas 1:13; Gal 6:1; Rev 2:10; of the temptations of the devil, Mat 4:1; Mat 4:3; Mar 1:13; Luk 4:2; 1Co 7:5; 1Th 3:5; hence, ὁ πειράζων, a substantive, Vulg.tentator, etc., the tempter: Mat 4:3; 1Th 3:5.

d. After the O. T. usage α. of God; to inflict evils upon one in order to prove his character and the steadfastness of his faith: 1Co 10:13; Heb 2:18; Heb 4:15 (see πειράω); (where see WH’s Appendix); Rev 3:10 (Gen 22:1; Exo 20:20; Deu 8:2; Wis 3:5 Wis 11:10(); Jdt 8:25 f). β. Men are said πειράζειν τόν Θεόν — 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: Act 15:10; Heb 3:9 R G (Exo 17:2; Exo 17:7; Num 14:22; Psalm 77:41 (), ; (), etc.; cf. Grimm, Exgt. Hdb. on Sap., p. 49); namely, τόν Χριστόν (L T Tr text WH τόν κύριον), 1Co 10:9 (but L marginal reading T WH marginal reading ἐξεπείρασαν); τό κυρίου, Act 5:9; absolutely πειράζειν ἐν δοιμασια (see δοκιμασία), Heb 3:9 L T Tr WH. (On πειράζω (as compared with δοκιμάζω), see Trench, § lxxiv.; cf. Cremer, under the word. Compare: ἐξπειράζω.)