Hebrew word · H5254

נָסָה

nisah

test

To test, try, put to the proof: to put someone in a situation that shows what they are really like or what they can do. It can be neutral (testing armour, 1 Sam 17:39; testing with hard questions, 1 Kgs 10:1).

Appears 36 times in 34 verses of the Hebrew Old Testament. ·

What it means

1) to test, try, prove, tempt, assay, put to the proof or test

1a) (Piel)

1a1) to test, try

1a2) to attempt, assay, try

1a3) to test, try, prove, tempt

Abridged from Brown, Driver and Briggs, A Hebrew and English Lexicon of the Old Testament (1906), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Exodus 17:2

Range of meaning

To test, try, put to the proof: to put someone in a situation that shows what they are really like or what they can do. It can be neutral (testing armour, 1 Sam 17:39; testing with hard questions, 1 Kgs 10:1). When God tests people, it shows whether they are loyal (Gen 22:1; Exod 15:25; 16:4; 20:20; Deut 8:2). When people test God, it means demanding that he prove himself on their terms when he has already given proof.

Against the English

BSB, ESV, NASB and WEB say 'test'. NIV says 'put the LORD to the test'. YLT says 'try'. KJV says 'tempt', which in 1611 meant 'try, put to the proof' (Latin tentare) but now usually means luring someone into sin, a sense the Hebrew does not have here.

How it drifted

English 'tempt' narrowed over the centuries from 'test, try' to 'entice to wrongdoing'. The KJV wording here and in Deut 6:16 ('Ye shall not tempt the LORD') is often heard in the modern sense.

Used elsewhere in the period

Exod 15:25 and 16:4 say God 'tested' Israel at Marah and with the manna. Here, one chapter later, Israel turns the test on God. Deut 6:16 commands: 'Do not test YHWH your God as you tested him at Massah.' Num 14:22, Ps 78:18, 41, 56, Ps 95:9 and Ps 106:14 use the word for Israel's repeated testing of God in the wilderness. The Septuagint uses peirazō. Jesus quotes Deut 6:16 (Matt 4:7), Paul echoes it (1 Cor 10:9), and Heb 3:8–9 quotes Ps 95.

From the study of Psalm 78:41

Range of meaning

To test or try something or someone in order to find out its quality or prove it: testing armour (1 Sam 17:39), testing a person's loyalty (Gen 22:1, where God tests Abraham), or trying something new. When humans 'test God', it means demanding that he prove himself on their terms before they will trust him.

Against the English

KJV and WEB say 'tempted'. In modern English 'tempt' means luring someone toward wrongdoing, which is not the sense here. BSB, ESV and NIV 'tested / put to the test' is accurate.

How it drifted

In 1611, English 'tempt' still commonly meant 'test, try' (from Latin temptare). Since then the word has narrowed to 'entice to sin'.

Used elsewhere in the period

The verb is the root behind the place name Massah, 'Testing' (Exod 17:2, 7). It is the subject of the command 'You shall not put the LORD your God to the test as you did at Massah' (Deut 6:16), which Jesus quotes in Matthew 4:7. In Ps 78 the same verb appears in vv.18 and 56. The Septuagint translates it with peirazō, 'test, try'.

From the study of 2 Chronicles 9:1

Range of meaning

To try, test or prove something to find out its quality or truth: testing armour (1 Sam 17:39), testing a person's loyalty, God testing Israel or Abraham (Gen 22:1), Israel 'testing' God by demanding proof (Exod 17:2).

Against the English

KJV 'prove' meant 'test' in 1611 (as in 'the proof of the pudding'). Today 'prove' means 'demonstrate to be true', which turns the sense around. The Latin temptare behind older 'tempt' language also meant 'try out', not 'entice to sin'.

How it drifted

The English 'prove' and 'tempt' have both narrowed since the 17th century: 'prove' toward 'demonstrate', and 'tempt' toward 'lure into wrongdoing'.

Used elsewhere in the period

The parallel 1 Kgs 10:1 uses the same verb. The Septuagint uses peirazō, the same Greek verb later used for 'test' and 'tempt' in the New Testament, which shows how wide its range is.

Where it appears

Genesis · 1

  1. Genesis 22:1 נִסָּ֖ה he put to [the] test

    Some time later God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he answered.

    Here: To put someone to the proof and bring out what is really in them. It does not mean luring them into wrongdoing. The narrator tells the reader this up front, but Abraham is never told.

Exodus · 5

  1. Exodus 15:25 נִסָּֽהוּ׃ he put to [the] test it

    And Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log. And when he cast it into the waters, they were sweetened. There the LORD made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He tested them,

    Here: "He tested him" (again Israel as one people). It means putting someone in a situation that shows what they are made of, here whether they will trust and listen (v. 26; compare Deut 8:2). It does not mean luring them into sin.

  2. Exodus 16:4 אֲנַסֶּ֛נּוּ I should put to [the] test it

    Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. Each day the people are to go out and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test whether or not they will follow My instructions.

    Here: 'I may test it (the people).' God puts them in a situation that will show what they really are. It is a test of character and loyalty, not a lure into sin.

  3. Exodus 17:2 תְּנַסּ֖וּן are you putting to [the] test !

    So the people contended with Moses, “Give us water to drink.” “Why do you contend with me?” Moses replied. “Why do you test the LORD?”

    Here: 'Are you putting to the test?' It means putting someone on trial to see whether they will prove themselves, here by demanding that God show he is present and able (v. 7: 'Is YHWH among us or not?'). It also has the weighty final -n.

  4. Exodus 17:7 נַסֹּתָ֤ם put to [the] test they

    He named the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled, and because they tested the LORD, saying, “Is the LORD among us or not?”

    Here: A verbal noun with 'their' attached, 'their putting to the test'. The people tried to make YHWH prove himself. Up to this point in Exodus, God has been the one testing Israel (15:25; 16:4). Now the roles are reversed.

  5. Exodus 20:20 נַסּ֣וֹת to put to [the] test

    “Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.”

    Here: To put to the proof, to bring someone through a real experience that shows what they are made of, and possibly also to give them first-hand experience of God (see studies). It does not mean 'tempt' in the sense of luring to evil.

Numbers · 1

  1. Numbers 14:22 וַיְנַסּ֣וּ and they have put to [the] test

    not one of the men who have seen My glory and the signs I performed in Egypt and in the wilderness—yet have tested Me and disobeyed Me these ten times—

    Here: "And they tested". It means they kept demanding that God prove himself again, as though he were the one on trial. The plain "and" carries a sharp "and yet" after everything they had seen.

Deuteronomy · 8

  1. Deuteronomy 4:34 הֲנִסָּ֣ה ¿ has it attempted

    Or has any god tried to take as his own a nation out of another nation—by trials, signs, wonders, and war, by a strong hand and an outstretched arm, and by great terrors—as the LORD your God did for you in Egypt, before your eyes?

    Here: The prefix ha- turns the sentence into a question that expects the answer 'No.' The verb here means 'has (any god) ever ventured / attempted / dared.' It comes from the same root as massot, 'trials,' a few words later, so the sound echoes.

  2. Deuteronomy 6:16 תְנַסּ֔וּ נִסִּיתֶ֖ם you will put to [the] test, you put [him] to [the] test

    Do not test the LORD your God as you tested Him at Massah.

    Here: 'You (plural) shall put to the proof.' It means demanding that God prove himself, making his presence or power something he must show before you will trust him. The plural speaks to the whole people together, as at Massah, where the whole community quarreled.

  3. Deuteronomy 8:2 לְנַסֹּֽתְךָ֗ to put to [the] test you

    Remember that these forty years the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness, so that He might humble you and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.

    Here: To try someone out by putting them in a situation that shows what they are really like. It is the same root as Massah, the place where Israel 'tested' God (Deut 6:16).

  4. Deuteronomy 8:16 נַסֹּתֶ֔ךָ to put to [the] test you

    He fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers had not known, in order to humble you and test you, so that in the end He might cause you to prosper.

    Here: "To test you": to put loyalty under pressure so it shows what it really is. In v.2 the aim is "to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments." In Exodus 16:4 the manna itself is the test.

  5. Deuteronomy 13:3 מְנַסֶּ֞ה [is] putting to [the] test

    you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

    Here: A participle, 'is testing': the test is happening while the situation is going on. The persuasive prophet and his working sign are themselves the trial. Nasah means to put something under pressure to see what it is made of. It does not mean luring someone into sin.

  6. Deuteronomy 28:56 נִסְּתָ֤ה she has attempted

    The most gentle and refined woman among you, so gentle and refined she would not venture to set the sole of her foot on the ground, will begrudge the husband she embraces and her son and daughter

  7. Deuteronomy 33:8 נִסִּיתוֹ֙ you put to [the] test him

    Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah.

    Here: God put Levi to the proof, testing to find out what he was made of. It is the same root as the place name Massah, so it is a pun: 'you tested him at Testing'.

Judges · 4

  1. Judges 2:22 נַסּ֥וֹת to put to [the] test

    In this way I will test whether Israel will keep the way of the LORD by walking in it as their fathers did.”

  2. Judges 3:1 לְנַסּ֥וֹת to put to [the] test

    These are the nations that the LORD left to test all the Israelites who had not known any of the wars in Canaan,

    Here: States the purpose: to put Israel to the test, to find out by trial what was in them. In 2:22 and 3:4 the test is whether they will keep Yahweh's way and commands.

  3. Judges 3:4 לְנַסּ֥וֹת to put to [the] test

    These nations were left to test the Israelites, to find out whether they would keep the commandments of the LORD, which He had given their fathers through Moses.

  4. Judges 6:39 אֲנַסֶּ֤ה let me put to [the] test

    Then Gideon said to God, “Do not be angry with me; let me speak one more time. Please allow me one more test with the fleece. This time let it be dry, and the ground covered with dew.”

    Here: 'Let me put [it/you] to the test.' The same verb used for Israel testing God at Massah (Exod 17:2, 7) and forbidden in Deut 6:16. Gideon names what he is doing honestly.

1 Samuel · 2

  1. 1 Samuel 17:39 נִסָּה֒ נִסִּ֑יתִי he had put to [the] test, I have put to [the] test

    David strapped his sword over the tunic and tried to walk, but he was not accustomed to them. “I cannot walk in these,” David said to Saul. “I am not accustomed to them.” So David took them off.

1 Kings · 1

  1. 1 Kings 10:1 לְנַסֹּת֖וֹ to put to [the] test him

    Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions.

    Here: To probe and put to the proof, to find out whether something is really what it claims to be. It is not hostile here. She wants to check the reports for herself, as 10:6–7 confirms ("the half was not told me").

2 Chronicles · 2

  1. 2 Chronicles 9:1 לְנַסּוֹת֩ to put to [the] test

    Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon, she came to test him with difficult questions. She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke with him about all that was on her mind.

    Here: To put something to the proof and find out what it is really worth. Here it means checking whether the reports were true, not tempting him to do wrong.

  2. 2 Chronicles 32:31 לְנַ֨סּוֹת֔וֹ to put to [the] test him

    And so when ambassadors of the rulers of Babylon were sent to him to inquire about the wonder that had happened in the land, God left him alone to test him, that He might know all that was in Hezekiah’s heart.

    Here: "To test him": to put him in a situation that shows what he really is. It is not luring him into sin.

Job · 1

  1. Job 4:2 הֲנִסָּ֬ה ¿ did someone attempt

    “If one ventures a word with you, will you be wearied? Yet who can keep from speaking?

Psalms · 6

  1. Psalm 26:2 וְנַסֵּ֑נִי and put to [the] test me

    Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and mind.

    Here: "And put me to the test." The usual sense is proving someone through a real situation to see whether their loyalty holds (as God tested Abraham and Israel). It is not 'tempt to sin' here; the psalmist asks God to try him and expects to pass.

  2. Psalm 78:18 וַיְנַסּוּ־ and they put to [the] test

    They willfully tested God by demanding the food they craved.

    Here: To put someone to the test in order to find out what they will do or can do. Here Israel is the one doing the testing and God is being tested, which turns the usual direction around: normally God tests Israel (Exodus 16:4; Deuteronomy 8:2). The verb form carries the story on from verse 17, as the next step in a chain of rebellion.

  3. Psalm 78:41 וַיְנַסּ֣וּ and they put to [the] test

    Again and again they tested God and provoked the Holy One of Israel.

    Here: They put God to the proof, demanding that he show what he could do before they would trust him. It echoes Massah ('Testing') in Exodus 17 and the demand in v.19: 'Can God spread a table in the wilderness?'

  4. Psalm 78:56 וַיְנַסּ֣וּ and they put to [the] test

    But they tested and disobeyed God Most High, for they did not keep His decrees.

    Here: 'And they put [him] to the test.' It is the verb of Massah (Exod 17:7), where Israel demanded that God prove he was really among them. The verb form tells the story in sequence: God had just settled them in the land (v.55), and their reply was to start testing him all over again.

  5. Psalm 95:9 נִ֭סּוּנִי they put to [the] test me

    where your fathers tested and tried Me, though they had seen My work.

    Here: "They tested me." This is the word the place-name Massah ("Testing") comes from, so the hearer hears the name again in the verb. It means putting God on trial, demanding he show he is really present and able to act (Exod 17:7: "Is the LORD among us or not?").

  6. Psalm 106:14 וַיְנַסּוּ־ and they put to [the] test

    They craved intensely in the wilderness and tested God in the desert.

    Here: 'And they put to the test.' They challenged God to prove himself on their terms by demanding he supply what they wanted. It does not mean they tried to lure God into sin.

Ecclesiastes · 2

  1. Ecclesiastes 2:1 אֲנַסְּכָ֛ה let me put to [the] test you

    I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good!” But it proved to be futile.

    Here: 'I will test / put to the proof,' with the ending 'you.' He addresses his own heart or inner self as the thing under trial. The form expresses resolve: 'let me run you through this.'

  2. Ecclesiastes 7:23 נִסִּ֣יתִי I have put to [the] test

    All this I tested by wisdom, saying, “I resolve to be wise.” But it was beyond me.

Isaiah · 1

  1. Isaiah 7:12 אֲנַסֶּ֖ה I will put to [the] test

    But Ahaz replied, “I will not ask; I will not test the LORD.”

Daniel · 2

  1. Daniel 1:12 נַס־ put to [the] test

    “Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given only vegetables to eat and water to drink.

  2. Daniel 1:14 וַיְנַסֵּ֖ם and he put to [the] test them

    So he consented to this and tested them for ten days.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.