Brief Overview of παραπικρασμός (Strong’s G3894: parapikrasmos)

Strong’s G3894: παραπικρασμός – A noun derived from παραπικραίνω (to embitter against), denoting active rebellion or provocation against authority, particularly divine authority. Used in biblical contexts to describe Israel’s bitter rebellion in the wilderness, serving as a warning against hardening one’s heart toward God.

U- Unveiling the Word

παραπικρασμός represents the act or state of bitter rebellion against authority, particularly divine authority. As a nominal form of παραπικραίνω, it captures both the action and the ongoing condition of provocative rebellion. In New Testament usage, specifically in Hebrews, it recalls Israel’s wilderness rebellion as a warning to believers. The early church employed this term to describe serious rebellion against God’s authority and apostasy. Today, it serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of hardening one’s heart against divine guidance and authority.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: παραπικρασμός, parapikrasmos, /par-ap-ik-ras-mos’/
• Detailed Pronunciation: par (as in ‘par-ent’) – ap (as in ‘ap-ple’) – ik (as in ‘ick’) – ras (as in ‘Ross’) – mos (as in ‘moss’)
• Part of Speech: Noun (Masculine)
• Etymology:
• παρά (para): prefix meaning “beside, against”
• πικραίνω (pikrainō): root verb meaning “to make bitter”
• -μός (-mos): suffix forming nouns that describe an action or its result

D – Defining Meanings

• Primary meaning: The act or state of rebellion against divine authority
• For compound word components:
• παρά conveys opposition or contrariness
• πικρ- root indicates bitterness
• -ασμός ending forms an action noun
• Translation options:

1. “Rebellion” – emphasizes the active resistance
2. “Provocation” – highlights the effect on the authority
3. “Bitter resistance” – combines emotional and active elements

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ἀπείθεια (apeitheia, /ap-i’-thi-ah/) – disobedience without the emphasis on bitterness
• παροργισμός (parorgismos, /par-org-is-mos’/) – provocation to anger, focusing on the arousal of wrath
• πικρία (pikria, /pik-ree’-ah/) – bitterness, without the specific sense of rebellion

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Noun Features:

• Case: All cases
• Number: Singular/Plural
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: Second

Forms:

• Nominative: παραπικρασμός
• Genitive: παραπικρασμοῦ
• Dative: παραπικρασμῷ
• Accusative: παραπικρασμόν

Related words:

• παραπικραίνω (verb) – to embitter against, rebel
• πικρός (adjective) – bitter

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

BDAG emphasizes παραπικρασμός’s connection to deliberate provocation against God. Thayer’s highlights its specialized use in biblical Greek for rebellion against divine authority. LSJ notes its development from the verbal form. Vine’s connects it to Israel’s historical rebellions. Strong’s emphasizes its relation to bitterness. LEH and Moulton-Milligan highlight its frequent use in the Septuagint for Israel’s wilderness provocations.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

“Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion [παραπικρασμός], as in the day of testing in the wilderness” (Hebrews 3:8)

Additional References:
Hebrews 3:15

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

παραπικρασμός represents both the act and ongoing state of bitter rebellion against divine authority. Its usage in Hebrews directly connects to Israel’s wilderness rebellion, serving as a powerful warning against hardening one’s heart toward God.

D – Did You Know?

1. The term became a technical reference to Israel’s wilderness rebellion in Jewish literature
2. Early Christian martyrs used it to describe persecution that tested faith
3. The word influenced the development of Christian teaching on apostasy

Strong’s G3894: παραπικρασμός – A noun derived from παραπικραίνω (to embitter against), denoting active rebellion or provocation against authority, particularly divine authority. Used in biblical contexts to describe Israel’s bitter rebellion in the wilderness, serving as a warning against hardening one’s heart toward God.

Part of speech: Noun (Masculine)

Tags: #rebellion #provocation #bitterness #GreekNouns #HebrewsVocabulary #BiblicalRebellion #WildernessNarrative #DivineBoundaries #BiblicalGreek #StrongsG3894