What does נָסָה (nāsāh) mean in the Bible?
נָסָה (nāsāh): Tests character or faith through trial; ranges from God proving His people to Satan tempting toward sin.
Hebrew · H5254
נָסָה
To test ; by implication, to attempt
Reading a lexicon entry
What this page is: Each lexicon entry shows the original Hebrew or Greek word behind the English translation: its meaning, its range of use, and where it appears in Scripture.
Strong's number: The Strong's code (H- or G-) is the standard reference number for this word. It connects this entry to chapter and passage language tabs.
Where it appears: The witness passages show where this word is used in context. Click any to open the study page for that passage.
This lexicon entry is part of our ongoing editorial review. If you notice missing content, unclear wording, or a possible correction, please send us a note through theConnect page. Screenshots are helpful.
נָסָהH5254
Pronunciationnāsāh
What does נָסָה (nāsāh) mean in the Bible?
נָסָה (nāsāh): Tests character or faith through trial; ranges from God proving His people to Satan tempting toward sin.
Full entry for נָסָה (H5254) · Open the biblical lexicon
Questions this entry answers
How does the BSB render H5254?
The BSB source-word alignment has 36 aligned rows for this entry. Common renderings include test (4), I will test (3), tested (3), to test (3), accustomed [to them] (2).
Where does נָסָה (nāsāh) appear in Scripture?
The source-word alignment first shows this entry at Genesis 22:1. Its strongest book concentrations include Deuteronomy (8), Psalms (6), Exodus (5), Judges (4).
Source Word Evidence
BSB source-word alignment connects this entry to exact verse rows, English rendering, source form, transliteration, and parsing.
How English Renders Ittest4×Deuteronomy 6:16, Judges 6:39, Isaiah 7:12, Daniel 1:12
I will test3×Exodus 16:4, Judges 2:22, Ecclesiastes 2:1
tested3×Genesis 22:1, Psalms 78:18, Psalms 95:9
to test3×Judges 3:1, Judges 3:4, 2 Chronicles 9:1
accustomed [to them]2×1 Samuel 17:39
and test you2×Deuteronomy 8:2, Deuteronomy 8:16
they tested2×Exodus 17:7, Psalms 78:41
[alone] to test him1×2 Chronicles 32:31
and tested1×Psalms 106:14
and tested them1×Daniel 1:14
and try me1×Psalms 26:2
But they tested1×Psalms 78:56
do you test1×Exodus 17:2
He tested them1×Exodus 15:25
I tested1×Ecclesiastes 7:23
If one ventures1×Job 4:2
is testing you1×Deuteronomy 13:3
test you1×Exodus 20:20
to test him1×1 Kings 10:1
tried1×Deuteronomy 4:34
venture1×Deuteronomy 28:56
yet have tested1×Numbers 14:22
You tested1×Deuteronomy 33:8
you tested Him1×Deuteronomy 6:16
Show sample aligned rows
Genesis 22:1נִסָּ֖הtotestedVerb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singularExodus 15:25נִסָּֽהוּ׃toHe tested themVerb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singularExodus 16:4אֲנַסֶּ֛נּוּtoI will testVerb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular | third person masculine singularExodus 17:2תְּנַסּ֖וּןtodo you testVerb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine plural | Paragogic nunExodus 17:7נַסֹּתָ֤םtothey testedVerb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine pluralExodus 20:20נַסּ֣וֹתtotest youVerb - Piel - Infinitive constructNumbers 14:22וַיְנַסּ֣וּtoyet have testedConjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine pluralDeuteronomy 4:34הֲנִסָּ֣הtotriedVerb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singularDeuteronomy 6:16תְנַסּ֔וּtotestVerb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine pluralDeuteronomy 6:16נִסִּיתֶ֖םtoyou tested HimVerb - Piel - Perfect - second person masculine plural
Usage map
A compact distribution from source-word alignment before the full evidence tables.
First aligned rowGenesis 22:1
Aligned rows36
Books represented13
Genesis1Exodus5Numbers1Deuteronomy8Judges41 Samuel21 Kings12 Chronicles2Job1Psalms6Ecclesiastes2Isaiah1Daniel2
Source forms
וַיְנַסּ֣וּ3xway·nas·sūNumbers 14:22, Psalms 78:41, Psalms 78:56
וַיְנַסּוּ־2xway·nas·sū-Psalms 78:18, Psalms 106:14
לְנַסּ֥וֹת2xlə·nas·sō·wṯJudges 3:1, Judges 3:4
אֲנַסֶּ֤ה1x’ă·nas·sehJudges 6:39
אֲנַסֶּ֖ה1x’ă·nas·sehIsaiah 7:12
אֲנַסְּכָ֛ה1x’ă·nas·sə·ḵāhEcclesiastes 2:1
אֲנַסֶּ֛נּוּ1x’ă·nas·sen·nūExodus 16:4
הֲנִסָּ֣ה1xhă·nis·sāhDeuteronomy 4:34
Parsing patterns
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural5xNumbers 14:22, Psalms 78:18, Psalms 78:41, Psalms 78:56
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular4xGenesis 22:1, Deuteronomy 4:34, 1 Samuel 17:39, Job 4:2
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct3xJudges 3:1, Judges 3:4, 2 Chronicles 9:1
Preposition-l | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct | third person masculine singular2x1 Kings 10:1, 2 Chronicles 32:31
Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct2xExodus 20:20, Judges 2:22
Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular2x1 Samuel 17:39, Ecclesiastes 7:23
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine plural1xDaniel 1:14
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular | first person common singular1xPsalms 26:2
Evidence Summary
Hebrew word. Tests character or faith through trial; ranges from God proving His people to Satan tempting toward sin.
Strong'sH5254
Lexical occurrences36 versesWord forms1 form13 referencesVerse guides0 guides
Study linkGenesis 22:1-19Source Gloss
to test ; by implication, to attempt
Extended definitionSource: Open Scriptures Hebrew Lexicon + Brown-Driver-Briggs
Tests character or faith through trial; ranges from God proving His people to Satan tempting toward sin.
to test; by implication, to attempt BDB: test Usage: adventure, assay, prove, tempt, try.
Grammatical Forms
How the stem changes the meaning of this verb across the biblical text.
This verb appears through different tense, voice, mood, or stem patterns. Those forms help readers see how the action is presented in context.
Form groups1Aligned forms13
Pielintensive active — emphasizes thoroughness or repeated action13×
Perfect1Sam 17:39 · Gen 22:1 · Eccl 7:23 · Deut 6:16 · Deut 28:566×
Infinitive constructExod 20:20 · Judg 2:222×
ImperfectDeut 6:16 · Isa 7:122×
Sequential imperfectDan 1:121×
Participle activeDeut 13:41×
CohortativeJudg 6:391×
Selected Scripture Witness
Selected passage-level study witnesses for this word. This section is not the full occurrence list.
Biblical Witnesses
God tests Abraham's faith and obedience through a severe trial
Showing 1 selected witness from 36 lexical occurrence verses.
Word Origins
נָסָה is a primitive root - no further derivation.