International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Prove

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International Standard Bible Encyclopedia: Prove


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prōōv (בּחן, bāḥan, נסה, nāṣāh; δοκιμάζω, dokimázō, πειράζω, peirázō): Means (1) to test or try; (2) to establish, demonstrate; (3) to find by experience. It is for the most part in the first (original) sense that the word is found in Scripture. In the Old Testament it is most frequently the translation of nāṣāh, primarily “to lift,” hence, to weigh (, , etc.). God is said to “prove” His people, i.e. to test or try them for their good (; ; , etc.). The Psalmist prays that God may prove him (). The word is frequently rendered “tempt.” See TEMPT. The word bāḥan, primarily “to try by heat,” has a similar meaning (, the heart, like metal, purified from dross; compare ; ; , etc.). In the New Testament the word most frequently rendered “prove” (sometimes “try”) is dokimazō (; ; , ; ; ; ). Peirazō, “to tempt,” “to prove,” used in both a good and a bad sense, frequently translated “tempt” (which see), is rendered “prove” in , “This he said to prove him.” Both Greek words occur frequently in Apocrypha (Wisdom and Ecclesiasticus). the Revised Version (British and American) has “prove” for “tempt” (); for, “make” (; ); for “manifest” (); for “examine” (); for “try” (; ), etc.