Brief Overview of παραπικραίνω (Strong’s G3893: parapikrainō)

Strong’s G3893: παραπικραίνω – A compound verb combining παρά (beside/against) with πικραίνω (to make bitter), meaning to embitter against, provoke to anger, or rebel against authority. Used particularly in biblical contexts to describe rebellion against God, reflecting the bitter attitude of disobedience.

U- Unveiling the Word

παραπικραίνω combines the concept of opposition (παρά) with bitterness (πικραίνω) to express active rebellion or provocation. In New Testament usage, it specifically describes the act of embittering oneself against divine authority. The word carries strong theological significance, particularly in Hebrews where it recalls Israel’s wilderness rebellion. Early church fathers used this term to warn against hardening one’s heart toward God’s voice. Today, it remains relevant in discussions about spiritual rebellion, divine authority, and the consequences of refusing God’s guidance.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: παραπικραίνω, parapikrainō, /par-ap-ik-rah’-ee-no/
• Detailed Pronunciation: par (as in ‘par-ent’) – ap (as in ‘ap-ple’) – ik (as in ‘ick’) – rah (as in ‘raw’) – ee (as in ‘see’) – no (as in ‘no’)
• Part of Speech: Verb
• Etymology:
• παρά (para): prefix meaning “beside, against”
• πικραίνω (pikrainō): root verb meaning “to make bitter”
• -αίνω (-ainō): verbal suffix indicating causative action

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meaning: To embitter oneself against authority, particularly divine authority
• For compound word components:
• παρά adds the sense of opposition or rebellion
• πικραίνω contributes the concept of bitterness or provocation
• Together they form the idea of bitter rebellion
• Translation options:

1. “To rebel” – emphasizes the active opposition
2. “To provoke to anger” – highlights the emotional aspect
3. “To embitter against” – captures both the emotional and active components

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀπειθέω (apeitheō, /ap-i-theh’-o/) – to disobey, but without the emphasis on bitterness
• παροργίζω (parorgizō, /par-org-id’-zo/) – to provoke to anger, focusing on the arousal of anger
• πικραίνω (pikrainō, /pik-rah’-ee-no/) – to make bitter, without the specific sense of rebellion

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Verbal Features:

• Tense: Present, Aorist
• Voice: Active
• Mood: Indicative, Subjunctive
• Person: All persons
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Aspect: Progressive (Present), Summary (Aorist)

Common forms:

• Present: παραπικραίνω (I rebel)
• Aorist: παρεπίκρανα (I rebelled)
• Perfect: παραπεπίκραγκα (I have rebelled)

Related words:

• παραπικρασμός (noun) – rebellion, provocation
• πικρός (adjective) – bitter

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes the word’s connection to deliberate rebellion against divine authority. Thayer’s highlights its use in the Septuagint for Israel’s wilderness rebellion. LSJ notes its development from literal bitterness to metaphorical rebellion. Vine’s connects it to the pattern of Israel’s disobedience. Strong’s emphasizes its compound nature. LEH and Moulton-Milligan document its specialized religious usage.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“Who were they who heard and rebelled [παραπικραίνω]? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt?” (Hebrews 3:16)

Additional References:
Hebrews 3:8
Hebrews 3:15
Psalm 106:7 (Septuagint)

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

παραπικραίνω represents active rebellion against authority, particularly divine authority, characterized by bitterness and provocation. Its usage in Hebrews connects to Israel’s wilderness rebellion, serving as a warning against hardening one’s heart toward God.

D – Did You Know?

1. The word frequently appears in the Septuagint translation of Old Testament rebellion narratives
2. Early Christian writers used it to describe apostasy
3. The concept influenced the development of church discipline practices

Strong’s G3893: παραπικραίνω – A compound verb combining παρά (beside/against) with πικραίνω (to make bitter), meaning to embitter against, provoke to anger, or rebel against authority. Used particularly in biblical contexts to describe rebellion against God, reflecting the bitter attitude of disobedience.

Part of Speech: Verb

Tags: #rebellion #bitterness #disobedience #GreekVerbs #HebrewsVocabulary #BiblicalRebellion #DivineBoundaries #BiblicalGreek #NewTestamentWords #StrongsG3893