Attempting
Jump to: Webster'sConcordanceThesaurusGreekLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, "attempting" often refers to the act of trying or endeavoring to do something, whether it be in obedience to God's commands or in opposition to His will. The concept of attempting can be seen throughout Scripture, where individuals and groups make efforts to achieve certain goals, sometimes with divine approval and other times in defiance of God's instructions.

Attempting in Obedience to God

1. Abraham's Faith: One of the most notable examples of attempting in obedience is Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac. In Genesis 22:1-2 , God tests Abraham by asking him to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. Abraham's attempt to obey God, even in such a difficult command, demonstrates his profound faith and trust in God's promises. Hebrews 11:17 reflects on this, stating, "By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. He who had received the promises was ready to offer his one and only son."

2. Nehemiah's Leadership: Nehemiah's attempt to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem is another example of attempting in alignment with God's will. Despite opposition and challenges, Nehemiah's efforts were rooted in prayer and reliance on God. Nehemiah 2:18 records his encouragement to the people: "I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me, and what the king had said to me. 'Let us start rebuilding,' they replied, and they set their hands to this good work."

Attempting in Opposition to God

1. The Tower of Babel: In Genesis 11:1-9 , humanity's attempt to build a tower reaching the heavens was an act of pride and defiance against God's command to fill the earth. Their endeavor was thwarted by God, who confused their language and scattered them across the earth. This account illustrates the futility of attempting to achieve greatness apart from God's will.

2. Saul's Disobedience: King Saul's attempt to offer a burnt offering without waiting for Samuel, as recorded in 1 Samuel 13:8-14 , is an example of attempting in disobedience. Saul's impatience and lack of faith led to his downfall, as Samuel declared that his kingdom would not endure because he had not kept the command of the Lord.

Attempting in the New Testament

1. Peter Walking on Water: In Matthew 14:28-31 , Peter's attempt to walk on water towards Jesus is a moment of both faith and doubt. Initially, Peter steps out of the boat in faith, but when he sees the wind, he begins to sink. Jesus' response highlights the importance of maintaining faith in the midst of attempting great things: "Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. 'You of little faith,' He said, 'why did you doubt?'"

2. Paul's Missionary Journeys: The Apostle Paul's attempts to spread the Gospel throughout the Roman Empire are chronicled in the Book of Acts. Despite facing persecution, imprisonment, and hardship, Paul's endeavors were marked by a steadfast commitment to God's calling. Acts 16:9-10 describes a pivotal moment: "During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them."

Attempting and Divine Guidance

The Bible underscores the importance of seeking God's guidance in our attempts. Proverbs 3:5-6 advises, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight." This passage emphasizes the necessity of aligning our attempts with God's wisdom and direction, ensuring that our efforts are fruitful and in accordance with His will.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Attempt.
Greek
2021. epicheireo -- to put one's hand to, hence to attempt
... Word Origin from epi and cheir Definition to put one's hand to, hence to attempt
NASB Word Usage attempted (1), attempting (1), undertaken (1). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2021.htm - 6k
Library

As to any One's Attempting to Take from the Church the Right of ...
... The Epistle of Pope Urban First. III. As to any one's attempting to take from
the Church the right of holding property. By the increase ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/iii as to any ones.htm

Sinners are Convicted when Attempting to Excuse Themselves by ...
... A Treatise on grace and free will, Chapter 3."Sinners are Convicted When Attempting
to Excuse Themselves by Blaming God, Because They Have Free Will. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 3 sinners are convicted when.htm

And Since Some have Given us Trouble by Attempting to Subvert Our ...
... A Sectional Confession of Faith. Section XVI. And since some have given
us trouble by attempting to subvert our faith in our? ...
/.../section xvi and since some.htm

The Bishops Flock Around Jovian, Each Attempting to Draw Him to ...
... Book III. Chapter XXIV."The Bishops flock around Jovian, each attempting
to draw him to his own Creed. Jovian having returned ...
/.../chapter xxiv the bishops flock around.htm

The Evidences of Christianity Briefly Stated, and the New ...
... The latter of these is our frequent employment, and is what I have, particularly
been attempting in the preceding discourses on the power and grace of the ...
/.../the evidences of christianity/the evidences of christianity briefly.htm

The Snare of the Fowler
... "The prince of the power of this world, the spirit which still worketh in the children
of disobedience," is like a fowler, always attempting to destroy us. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the snare of the fowler.htm

Cost of Discipleship must be Counted.
... The parable is not intended to discourage anyone from attempting to be
a disciple. It is meant to warn us against attempting so ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xci cost of discipleship must.htm

Circumstances Related of Origen.
... 2. Why need we say these things when even Porphyry, [1903] who lived in Sicily in
our own times and wrote books against us, attempting to traduce the Divine ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xix circumstances related of origen.htm

Matt. Ii. 4, 5
... Attempting to slay that which was born,"an act of extreme idiotcy [315] not of madness
only; since what had been said and done was enough to have withholden ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily vii matt ii 4.htm

Charity and Conflict.
... But I did not wait for anybody's sanction to my Lord and Master's call; but said,
"Lord, if I die in attempting it, I will do it." He seldom lets people die in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/booth/godliness/chapter v charity and conflict.htm

Thesaurus
Attempting (24 Occurrences)
...Attempting (24 Occurrences). ... But the chief priests and the scribes and the rulers
of the people were attempting to put him to death; (BBE). ...
/a/attempting.htm - 14k

Seem (115 Occurrences)
... today, and, No, tomorrow? (BBE). 2 Corinthians 3:1 Do we seem to be again
attempting to put ourselves in the right? or have we need ...
/s/seem.htm - 38k

Attempted (8 Occurrences)

/a/attempted.htm - 8k

Attempts (14 Occurrences)

/a/attempts.htm - 10k

Zedekiah (63 Occurrences)
... The city was plundered and laid in ruins. Zedekiah and his followers,
attempting to escape, were made captive and taken to Riblah. ...
/z/zedekiah.htm - 49k

Ones (687 Occurrences)
... ones. (DBY). Matthew 22:18 But Jesus saw their trick and said, Oh false
ones, why are you attempting to put me in the wrong? (BBE). ...
/o/ones.htm - 35k

Ointment (29 Occurrences)
... his outer garment. Anyone attempting to make the holy anointing oil would
be cut off from his people (Exodus 30:33). The scented ...
/o/ointment.htm - 18k

Oh (164 Occurrences)
... Oh (164 Occurrences). Matthew 22:18 But Jesus saw their trick and said, Oh false
ones, why are you attempting to put me in the wrong? (BBE). ...
/o/oh.htm - 34k

Jonath (2 Occurrences)
... Michtam. When the Philistines took him in Gath.> Have mercy on me, O God, for man
is attempting my destruction; every day he makes cruel attacks against me. ...
/j/jonath.htm - 7k

Jeroboam (96 Occurrences)
...Attempting to arrest the prophet for his bold words of defiance, his hand was
"dried up," and the altar before which he stood was rent asunder. ...
/j/jeroboam.htm - 62k

Resources
Who / what were the Nephilim? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about androgyny? | GotQuestions.org

Can I ask God to deliver a message to a loved one who has died? | GotQuestions.org

Attempting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Attempting (24 Occurrences)

Matthew 2:20
Saying, Get up and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: because they who were attempting to take the young child's life are dead.
(BBE)

Luke 19:47
And every day he was teaching in the Temple. But the chief priests and the scribes and the rulers of the people were attempting to put him to death;
(BBE)

John 11:8
The disciples said to him, Master, the Jews were attempting only the other day to have you stoned, and are you going back there again?
(BBE)

Acts 5:28
We gave you very clear orders not to give teaching in this name: and now Jerusalem is full of your teaching, and you are attempting to make us responsible for this man's death.
(BBE)

Acts 9:29
preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him.
(See NAS)

Acts 21:31
And while they were attempting to put him to death, news came to the chief captain of the band that all Jerusalem was out of control.
(BBE)

Acts 24:6
Who, in addition, was attempting to make the Temple unclean: whom we took,
(BBE)

2 Corinthians 3:1
Do we seem to be again attempting to put ourselves in the right? or have we need, as some have, of letters of approval to you or from you?
(BBE)

2 Corinthians 12:19
It may seem to you that all this time we have been attempting to put ourselves in the right; but we are saying these things before God in Christ. For all things, dear brothers, are for your profit.
(BBE)

1 Peter 1:11
Attempting to see what sort of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them was pointing to, when it gave witness to the pains which Christ would undergo and the glories which would come after them.
(BBE)

2 Peter 3:1
My loved ones, this is now my second letter to you, and in this as in the first, I am attempting to keep your true minds awake;
(BBE)

Exodus 4:19
And the Lord said to Moses in Midian, Go back to Egypt, for all the men are dead who were attempting to take your life.
(BBE)

Exodus 8:18
And the wonder-workers with their secret arts, attempting to make insects, were unable to do so: and there were insects on man and on beast.
(BBE)

1 Samuel 20:1
And David went in flight from Naioth in Ramah and came to Jonathan and said, What have I done? What is my crime and my sin against your father that he is attempting to take my life?
(BBE)

1 Kings 19:10
And he said, I have been burning for the honour of the Lord, the God of armies; for the children of Israel have not kept your agreement; they have made destruction of your altars, and have put your prophets to death with the sword: till I, even I, am the only one living; and now they are attempting to take away my life.
(BBE)

1 Kings 19:14
And he said, I have been burning for the honour of the Lord, the God of armies; for the children of Israel have not kept your agreement; they have had your altars broken down, and have put your prophets to death with the sword: till I, even I, am the only one living; and now they are attempting to take away my life.
(BBE)

Esther 9:2
On that day, the Jews came together in their towns through all the divisions of the kingdom of Ahasuerus, for the purpose of attacking all those who were attempting evil against them: and everyone had to give way before them, for the fear of them had come on all the peoples.
(BBE)

Esther 9:24
Because Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the hater of all the Jews, had made designs for their destruction, attempting to get a decision by Pur (that is, chance) with a view to putting an end to them and cutting them off;
(BBE)

Psalms 56:1
<To the chief music-maker; put to Jonath elem rehokim. Of David. Michtam. When the Philistines took him in Gath.> Have mercy on me, O God, for man is attempting my destruction; every day he makes cruel attacks against me.
(BBE)

Proverbs 26:8
Giving honour to a foolish man is like attempting to keep a stone fixed in a cord.
(BBE)

Proverbs 28:20
A man of good faith will have great blessing, but one attempting to get wealth quickly will not go free from punishment.
(BBE)

Ezekiel 24:13
As for your unclean purpose: because I have been attempting to make you clean, but you have not been made clean from it, you will not be made clean till I have let loose my passion on you in full measure.
(BBE)

Daniel 2:8
The king made answer and said, I am certain that you are attempting to get more time, because you see that my decision is fixed;
(BBE)

Daniel 7:25
And he will say words against the Most High, attempting to put an end to the saints of the Most High; and he will have the idea of changing times and law; and the saints will be given into his hands for a time and times and half a time.
(BBE)

Subtopics

Attempting

Related Terms

Day (17670 Occurrences)

Feelings (26 Occurrences)

Attempt (23 Occurrences)

Story (92 Occurrences)

Purim (5 Occurrences)

Pur (3 Occurrences)

Korah (51 Occurrences)

Galatians (2 Occurrences)

Persians (6 Occurrences)

Attempting (24 Occurrences)

Siege (63 Occurrences)

Better (218 Occurrences)

Atonement (112 Occurrences)

Sin (782 Occurrences)

Tongues (67 Occurrences)

Zephaniah (11 Occurrences)

Village (21 Occurrences)

Nathanael (6 Occurrences)

Undertaking (30 Occurrences)

Ono (5 Occurrences)

Letting (41 Occurrences)

Logos

Genesis

Greeks (22 Occurrences)

Gog (12 Occurrences)

Grecians (4 Occurrences)

Generous (17 Occurrences)

Felix (11 Occurrences)

Fighting (201 Occurrences)

Tryphon

Theophilus (2 Occurrences)

Tribune (18 Occurrences)

Terah (12 Occurrences)

Teachings (34 Occurrences)

Extreme (11 Occurrences)

Enemy (134 Occurrences)

Essenes

Entry (36 Occurrences)

English

Exclaimed (45 Occurrences)

Events (27 Occurrences)

Esau (89 Occurrences)

Elishah (3 Occurrences)

Dye (1 Occurrence)

Disease (213 Occurrences)

Dyeing

Daughter (320 Occurrences)

Diseases (38 Occurrences)

Moving (117 Occurrences)

Powers (43 Occurrences)

Pihahiroth (4 Occurrences)

Paulus (1 Occurrence)

Pharaoh's (72 Occurrences)

Prophet (315 Occurrences)

Praetorian (2 Occurrences)

Period (43 Occurrences)

Pi-hahiroth (4 Occurrences)

Burning (415 Occurrences)

Bush (14 Occurrences)

Creed

Chapter

Compounder (3 Occurrences)

Chariot (102 Occurrences)

Challenge (6 Occurrences)

Accomplished (64 Occurrences)

Achshaph (3 Occurrences)

Armenian

After (10866 Occurrences)

Associate (20 Occurrences)

Antichrist (4 Occurrences)

Apostles'

Apocalyptic

Amphipolis (1 Occurrence)

Antonius

Amazement (32 Occurrences)

Sergius (1 Occurrence)

Succeeds (4 Occurrences)

Several (40 Occurrences)

Attempted
Top of Page
Top of Page