Lexical Summary parapikrasmos: Provocation, rebellion Original Word: παραπικρασμός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance provocation. From parapikraino; irritation -- provocation. see GREEK parapikraino NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom parapikrainó Definition provocation NASB Translation provoked (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3894: παραπικρασμόςπαραπικρασμός, παραπικρασμου, ὁ (παραπικραίνω), provocation: ἐν τῷ παραπικρασμῷ, when they provoked (angered) me by rebelliousness, Hebrews 3:8, 15, from Psalm 94:8 Topical Lexicon Summary of Scriptural Usage The term appears twice in the Greek New Testament, both in Hebrews 3:8 and Hebrews 3:15, each time describing the historic moment when Israel “tested” and “provoked” the Lord in the wilderness. While rare in the canon, the word crystallizes a pivotal Old Testament episode that the writer to the Hebrews elevates as a sober warning for the church. Old Testament Background Hebrews cites Psalm 95:8, where the psalmist exhorts, “do not harden your hearts as at Meribah, as on the day at Massah in the wilderness.” Exodus 17 and Numbers 14 narrate how Israel’s unbelief turned a provision-filled journey into an arena of provocation. The pattern becomes paradigmatic: divine faithfulness, human distrust, ensuing discipline, yet enduring covenant mercy. The word in Hebrews gathers this entire backdrop into one compact cautionary label. New Testament Context in Hebrews Hebrews 3 frames Jesus as greater than Moses and calls believers to hold fast “the confidence and the hope in which we glory” (Hebrews 3:6). Immediately the author quotes Psalm 95, branding the wilderness era with the same term of provocation. By paralleling the church’s pilgrimage with Israel’s, Hebrews warns that a present-tense hardening of heart can forfeit promised rest. The repetition in Hebrews 3:8 and Hebrews 3:15 intensifies urgency; what occurred once in history can recur spiritually in any generation. Theological Implications 1. Depravity of Unbelief: The word underscores that unbelief is not merely doubt but an active provocation against God’s character and promises. Practical Ministry Applications • Preaching: Use Hebrews 3 to warn against complacency, illustrating how small seeds of distrust ripen into corporate rebellion. Historical and Rabbinic Perspectives Second Temple literature echoes the wilderness provocation as emblematic of national sin (e.g., Wisdom of Solomon 11:9). Rabbinic midrashim view Meribah as failure of the heart rather than of mere circumstance. Early church fathers—Chrysostom, Augustine—likewise interpret Hebrews 3 pastorally, urging believers to “listen today” lest they mirror ancient defiance. Lessons for Contemporary Believers • Spiritual Memory: Corporate remembrance of past rebellions inoculates against repeating them. Related Biblical Themes Hardening of Heart – Exodus 7:13; Proverbs 28:14 Testing God – Deuteronomy 6:16; Matthew 4:7 Rest and Sabbath – Genesis 2:2; Hebrews 4:9 Perseverance – 1 Peter 1:6-7; Revelation 2:10 Conclusion The scarce New Testament appearances of this word amplify, rather than diminish, its weight. By invoking Israel’s wilderness provocation, Hebrews welds together past narrative, present exhortation, and future promise. Every generation of believers stands where Israel once stood—between delivered slavery and awaited rest—summoned to respond with faith instead of provocation. Forms and Transliterations παραπικρασμω παραπικρασμώ παραπικρασμῷ parapikrasmo parapikrasmō parapikrasmôi parapikrasmō̂iLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Hebrews 3:8 N-DMSGRK: ἐν τῷ παραπικρασμῷ κατὰ τὴν NAS: AS WHEN THEY PROVOKED ME, AS IN THE DAY KJV: as in the provocation, in the day INT: in the rebellion in the Hebrews 3:15 N-DMS |
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