παραπικραίνω (parapikrainō)
parapikrainō
to rebel
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb parapikrainō describes the act of provoking someone to anger or exasperation, often with a sense of persistent irritation. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Hebrews 3:16, where it characterizes the attitude of those who rebelled against God in the wilderness. The word carries the nuance of embittering a relationship through repeated offense, turning initial trust into lasting hostility.
Its meaning is built from two parts: para, suggesting something alongside or beyond, and pikrainō, meaning to make bitter or sharp. This combination implies a deepening resentment rather than a single moment of anger. The context in Hebrews links this provocation directly to disobedience, showing how persistent rebellion hardens the heart against divine guidance.
Translators typically render it as "provoked" or "angered," capturing the active role of the rebels in straining their relationship with God. The word highlights that rebellion is not merely passive failure but an active stirring up of anger toward the one who leads. This usage underscores the seriousness of rejecting divine instruction, framing it as a direct affront to God’s character.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word parapikrainō describes a slow hardening of the heart, where persistent disobedience turns initial trust into lasting hostility. It is not just a single moment of anger but a deepening resentment that provokes God’s grief. In Hebrews 3:16, this term warns against the attitude that led Israel to rebel in the wilderness, showing how repeated rejection strains our relationship with the One who leads us.
For your faith, this word reminds us that rebellion is an active choice to stir up anger against divine guidance. It invites you to examine your own heart for hidden bitterness or stubbornness that might distance you from God’s peace. By acknowledging these tendencies, you can turn back to Him with humility, allowing His grace to soften what has grown hard.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- rebelled?1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παρεπίκραναν;1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 3:16
For who, when they heard, rebelled? Wasn’t it all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses?
This verse uses the word to identify the specific group whose persistent rebellion in the wilderness provoked God's anger.