πεῖρα (peira)
peira
test
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun peira refers to a trial, experiment, or the experience gained from testing something. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, both in Hebrews 11, where it describes the concrete experiences of faith under pressure. The word captures the act of making a trial or having an experience of a thing, moving beyond abstract doubt into lived reality.
Its etymology links to the idea of piercing or probing, suggesting a thorough examination rather than a superficial glance. This aligns with its use in the Septuagint for tests like that of Moses at Meribah (Deuteronomy 33:8), where God’s people were put through a rigorous check. The term emphasizes the process of learning through direct encounter.
Translators often render it as "trial" or "experience," highlighting its dual nature as both the test itself and the knowledge gained from it. In Hebrews 11:29 and 11:36, it underscores how faith is validated not by theory but by enduring real-world challenges. This word reminds readers that spiritual maturity is forged in the fire of actual experience.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word peira points to the reality of being put to the test. It is not just a theoretical idea but a lived experience where faith meets pressure. In Hebrews, this term highlights how believers move beyond abstract belief into concrete endurance. When life probes our trust, it reveals what we truly hold dear.
Consider those who faced mockery or imprisonment for their convictions. Their peira was not a punishment to avoid but a moment of truth. Through these trials, faith is validated not by comfort but by steadfastness. This process shapes character and deepens reliance on God’s promises.
You may find yourself in a season where things feel like they are being tested. Remember that such experiences are part of the journey. They do not mean you have failed; they mean you are growing. Endurance in these moments brings a quiet strength that only comes from walking through fire with faith intact.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- trial1×
- an attempt1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πεῖραν2×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 11:29
By faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.
This verse shows peira as the act of passing through danger by faith, contrasting with those who tried and failed.
-
Hebrews 11:36
Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment.
Here peira refers to the suffering endured by believers, showing how trials can involve physical pain and social rejection.