παραπικραίνω

parapikraínō

G3893 verb

SILEX Entry

Definition

To make bitter or embitter in addition, to provoke strongly or deeply; in extended sense, to rouse someone to deep resentment or exasperation. Refers especially to actions or speech that cause strong emotional agitation, particularly indignation or rebellion.

Semantic Range

to provoke to resentment, to embitter deeply, to cause exasperation, to incite rebellion or indignation, to rouse to deep grievance

Root / Etymology

From παρά (beside, alongside, in addition to) and πικραίνω (to make bitter). The compounded form emphasizes the intensification or addition of bitterness or provocation. Cognate with the adjective πικρός (bitter).

Historical & Contextual Notes

In Koine Greek, παραπικραίνω is a rare verb, found primarily in Hellenistic and biblical sources (notably in the Septuagint and quoted in Hebrews 3:16 of the New Testament). The term is used especially in contexts describing serious provocation or embitterment, often in reference to Israelites rebelling against divine commands (e.g., Exodus 17 in the LXX). The nuance includes both the literal sense of embittering someone and the figurative sense of provoking or inciting rebellion or mistrust. Earlier Greek uses the simple πικραίνω for 'to embitter'; the compound form suggests an intensification or a sustained act as opposed to a fleeting feeling. Standard English translations often render with 'provoke' or 'embitter,' but do not fully capture the compounded intensification implied in the Greek. The Septuagint and New Testament use it to describe instances of communal resistance, grievance, or murmuring, especially in historical narratives about the Israelites in the wilderness. Greek terms such as προκαλέω or ἐρεθίζω may overlap in sense but do not carry the connotation of bitterness implied by παραπικραίνω.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from παρά and πικραίνω; to embitter alongside, i.e. (figuratively) to exasperate:--provoke.

Root Family

παραπικρ- (parapikraínō) — to make bitter, to provoke, to incite strong resentment

Root παραπικρ- to make bitter, to provoke, to incite strong resentment

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3893-01 παρεπίκραναν parepikranan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL did provoke they deeply embittered they deeply embittered 1

Occurrences in Scripture

1 occurrence

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3893-01 Hebrews 3:16 παρεπίκραναν parepikranan V AOR ACT IND 3P PL did provoke they deeply embittered they deeply embittered