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παραπικρασμός

parapikrasmós

G3894 noun

SILEX Entry

Definition

A state or act of causing bitterness, irritation, or provocation—especially a provocation that leads to indignation or resentment. In particular contexts, refers to a deliberate act or event that incites opposition, stubbornness, or disobedience, especially against rightful authority or (in biblical contexts) against divine instruction.

Semantic Range

provocation, embitterment, an act of causing irritation or resentment, a rebellion or act of stubborn opposition, incident provoking anger or resistance

Root / Etymology

From παραπικραίνω (to embitter, to provoke), itself from παρά (beside, against) + πικραίνω (to make bitter); ultimately from πικρός (bitter). The noun suffix -σμός indicates action, process, or resulting state.

Historical & Contextual Notes

παραπικρασμός is found primarily in Hellenistic and Koine Greek sources and is notably used in the Septuagint (e.g., Psalm 94:8 [95:8 LXX], referencing the Israelites' provocation of God in the wilderness) and quoted in Hebrews 3:8, 15; 4:7. In classical Greek literature, the term is rare, but related verbs and adjectives concerning bitterness and provocation are more frequent. In Septuagint and New Testament context, παραπικρασμός specifically evokes the idea of a historic act of rebellion or testing, especially Israelite opposition to divine guidance during the Exodus, rather than merely generalized bitterness or irritation. The standard English rendering as 'provocation' only partly captures the term's nuance, which includes elements of embitterment and persistent resistance.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from παραπικραίνω; irritation:--provocation.

Root Family

πικρ- (parapikrasmós) — bitter, sharp, acrid

Root πικρ- to make bitter, to provoke, to embitter
Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
G4087 πικραίνω was made bitter
G4088 πικρία bitterness
G4089 πικρός bitter thing
G4090 πικρῶς bitterly

Word Forms

1 distinct form

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2 Occurrences
G3894-01 παραπικρασμῷ parapikrasmo N DAT M SG provocation in embittering provocation embittering provocation 2

Occurrences in Scripture

2 occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 SIBI-P2
G3894-01 Hebrews 3:8 παραπικρασμῷ parapikrasmo N DAT M SG provocation in embittering provocation embittering provocation
G3894-01 Hebrews 3:15 παραπικρασμῷ parapikrasmo N DAT M SG provocation in embittering provocation provocation
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