ἐκπειράζω

From the study of Matthew 4:7

Range of meaning

To put to the test, try out, make trial of, probe someone to find out what they are made of or will do. It is a compound of πειράζω (peirazō, 'test, try, attempt; also tempt'). The prefix ἐκ- may strengthen it ('test thoroughly, to the limit'), though in everyday Greek of the period the compound and the simple verb often overlap. Per BDAG, the sense is 'put to the test, try, tempt', and when God is the object it means demanding that God prove himself.

Against the English

KJV and YLT say 'tempt'. Modern versions say 'test' or 'put to the test'. In 1611 'tempt' still carried its older sense of 'try, prove' (compare KJV Gen 22:1, 'God did tempt Abraham'). Today 'tempt' means luring someone toward something wrong or pleasurable. God cannot be 'tempted' in that sense here, and that is not what Deuteronomy forbids.

How it drifted

English 'tempt' (from Latin temptare, 'to feel out, try, test') narrowed over the centuries toward 'entice to sin'. The KJV wording froze the older sense in a line people still quote.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament (the Septuagint, or LXX), Deut 6:16 reads οὐκ ἐκπειράσεις κύριον τὸν θεόν σου, ὃν τρόπον ἐξεπειράσασθε ἐν τῷ Πειρασμῷ ('…as you tested him at the Testing'), rendering Hebrew נָסָה (nasah, 'test, try'). The same verb is used of God testing Israel in Deut 8:2, 16, and of Israel testing God in Ps 77:18 LXX (78:18), where they 'tested God in their heart by demanding food'. In the NT: Luke 4:12 (the parallel to this verse), Luke 10:25 (a lawyer 'testing' Jesus), and 1 Cor 10:9 ('let us not test the Lord/Christ, as some of them did').

From the study of 1 Corinthians 10:9

Range of meaning

To put thoroughly to the test, to try someone out, to push to the limit to see what they will do (BDAG). Used of people testing God, or of people testing Jesus to trap him (Luke 10:25). It is not 'entice to sin'.

Against the English

BSB, WEB and NIV have 'test'. ESV and NLT have 'put to the test'. KJV and YLT have 'tempt', which in 1611 still meant 'try, put to proof'. Today 'tempt' mostly means luring someone to do wrong, which makes no sense with God or Christ as the object.

How it drifted

English 'tempt' (Latin temptare, 'to feel out, try') narrowed over the centuries to 'entice to sin'. Older Bibles kept 'tempt' wherever Greek has peirazō, so passages about testing God now sound like they are about seducing him.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Greek Old Testament uses it in Deuteronomy 6:16, 'You shall not put the Lord your God to the test (ouk ekpeiraseis), as you tested him at the Testing-place (Massah)', and in Psalm 77(78):18, 'they put God to the test in their hearts' by demanding food. Jesus quotes Deut 6:16 with this verb when he refuses to jump from the temple (Matt 4:7; Luke 4:12). In the New Testament it occurs only in those passages, Luke 10:25, and here.

From the study of Luke 10:25

Range of meaning

An intensified form of peirazō: to put to the test, try out, probe, examine thoroughly. Depending on context and motive, testing can be neutral (checking quality), hostile (trying to trip someone up), or sinful (presuming on God). "Tempt" in the sense of luring to sin is only one possible use of peirazō, and not the sense of ekpeirazō here.

Against the English

KJV has "tempted him"; YLT "trying him"; WEB, BSB and NIV "test"; ESV and NASB "put him to the test." Modern "tempted" suggests enticing someone to do wrong. That is not the picture.

How it drifted

In 1611 "tempt" still meant "to test or try" (from Latin temptare, "to feel out, probe"). Its sense has since narrowed to "entice toward wrongdoing."

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Septuagint, ekpeirazō translates Hebrew nissah in Deut 6:16 ("You shall not put the LORD your God to the test"), which Jesus himself quotes in Luke 4:12. It is also used of God testing Israel in the wilderness (Deut 8:2, 16). Elsewhere in the NT: Matt 4:7 (= Deut 6:16) and 1 Cor 10:9. In Luke, the simple form peirazō is used of the devil (4:2) and of crowds demanding a sign (11:16).