Tested, Tempted, Tried, Proved?

I am a member of BSF International, an international Bible study with study groups for men, women, children, and single young adults. I am also a small group discussion leader. This year we are studying the book of Genesis.

At our last meeting our leader pointed out a translation issue from Genesis 22:1. She mentioned that some translations would use the word "tempt" instead of "test" which is found in most translations, namely the NIV. Last year I used a Bible I received when I went Catholic school, an NAB, which led to some interesting discussions on different translations. Remembering this, she asked me to look up the passage in my Bible when I got home (this year I'm back to using an NIV Bible - this one to be exact).

I was surprised to find that the NAB uses the word "tested" as well, and after doing research at two of my favorite Bible sites, namely BibleGateway.net and BibleMaster.com, this is what I wrote our leader back:

Genesis 22:1 has 4 possible translations - supposedly God tested, tempted, tried, or proved Abraham depending on what version you read. My Catholic Bible uses "tested", the KJV uses "tempted" (but NKJV uses "tested"). The original Hebrew is "Nacah" which means to test, try, prove, tempt, assay, put to the proof or test. Technically either "tested" or "tempted" is acceptable, but if you have to choose, you have to look at the context.

Personally, I don't think "tempted" works very well in the context of the chapter. God tempted Abraham - to do what? Usually tempting means trying to make someone do something wrong, with the tempted an active participant in the sin. It doesn't fit as well to say "Abraham did not succumb to temptation". How would he have been tempted - to not do something?

The word "tempted" could only work this way: God was tempting Abraham to withhold his son from Him. But the Bible answers this conundrum with James 1:13 - "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man...". (KJV, no less). And of course, the Bible (even the KJV), does not contradict itself. Too bad the New Testament was written in Greek for this problem, we could compare the two words directly.

I think "tested" puts the events of the chapter in a broader context, and fits better. God tested Abraham - what did He test? Abraham's view of God, his faith. Look at verse 12. When God sees Abraham about to sacrifice his son He stops him then says: "...Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son." Abraham passed the test.

The King James does not use the word "test" or "tested", but instead uses "proved" or "tried". Every direct translation of the Torah I have found uses "tested" or "prove" for Genesis 22:1. Perhaps if I ever meet a Rabbi, I'll ask him to translate the original for me.

Or, just one more question to ask Jesus when I see Him.

She hasn't replied yet to it, but if any discussion or smack-down occurs, I'll include it in future posts.

Shalom.