Texts in OT and NT testing, investigation

Additional Hebrew terms that convey the idea of investigation found in the New
International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis (Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 1997) have been included. I am putting them all together here in one
place, showing the term’s transliterated forms. Those familiar with Hebrew will note
that these are given (for the most part) in a simplified form of transliteration,
together with numbers for those using Strong’s system. The Greek terms are also
give in a simplified form with Strong's numbers.

The object of giving this list of foundational passage is that it give a sense of how
pervasive and important the doctrine of testing, trying, searching, examining, and
investigating believers is in the Bible.

Old Testament:
1 Chron 28:9 (1875, darash);
1 Chron 29:17 (974, bachan)
Job 7:18 (974, bachan)
Job 10:5-6 (1245, baqash; 1875, darash)
Job 13:9 (2713, chaqar)
Job 23:10 (974, bachan)
Ps 7:9 (974, bachan)
Ps 11:4,5 (974, bachan)
Ps 17:3 (974, bachan; 6884, tsaraph)
Ps 26:2 (974, bachan; 5254, naçah; 6884, tsaraph)
Ps 66:10 (974, bachan; 6884, tsaraph)
Ps 139:1 (2713, chaqar),
Ps 139:23 (2713, chaqar; 974, bachan)
Prov 17:3 (974, bachan)
Isa 48:10 (6884, tsaraph; 977, bachar) NIV
Jer 11:20 (974, bachan)
Jer 12:3 (974, bachan)
Jer 17:10 (2713, chaqar; 974, bachan)
Jer 20:12 (974, bachan)
Zech 13:9 (974, bachan; 6884, tsaraph)
Dan 11:35 (6884, tsaraph)
Dan 12:10 (6884, tsaraph)

Note on the passages from the book of Job: In Job 7:18 we see Job wondering why God would
bother to test him. In Job 10:5-6 Job seems to have a hard time accepting the idea that God
inquires (1245, baqash) as to his iniquity, searches (1875, darash) for his sin: "Are thy days as
the days of man? are thy years as man's days, That thou inquirest after mine iniquity, and
searchest after my sin?" Actually, Job is to a certain degree right in his skepticism. In the context
of his present situation it is really Satan that is testing him every moment, inquiring after Job's
iniquity, and searching for sin in him. Yet, the point remains that God does take advantage of, if
He does not cause, our troubles to make sin obvious to us. Therefore, Job is distressed and
wondering why, but not denying, that God tests man. Later, Job comes to accept the idea that he
is being tested and examined; for, he says, "When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold
Him; when He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take; when
He has tested me, Ishall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His
way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured
the words of His mouth more than my necessary food (Job 23:9-12 NKJ)." Job also indicates that
others are examined in Job 13:9: "Will it be well when He searches you out?"

New Testament:
Rom 8:27 (2045, ereunao [ereunao])
1 Cor 4:4,5 (350, anakrino [anakrino])
2 Cor 13:5, NIV (3985, peirazo [peirazo]; 1381, dokimazo [dokimazo]; 96,
dokimos)
1 Thess 2:4 (1381, dokimazo [dokimazo])
Heb 11:17 (3985, peirazo [peirazo])
Jas 1:3 (1383, dokimion)
Jas 1:11-12 (3986, peirasmos, 1384, dokimos)
1 Pet 1:6-7 (3986, peirasmos; 1383 dokimion)
1 Pet 4:12-14, NKJ (3986, peirasmos)
Rev 2:23b (2045, ereunao [ereunao])

Biblical examples of believer testing, examination, purging/purifying are
found in the following passages:
Gen 2:17 (The first test of human hearts)
Exod 15:25 (5254, [nasah or nasâ])
Exod 16:4 (5254, naçah)
Exod 20:20 (5254, naçah)
Deut 8:2, 16 (5254, naçah in both verses)
Deut 13:3 (5254, naça)
Judg 2:22; (5254, naçah)
Judg 7:4 (6884, tsaraph)
Judg 3:1, 4 (5254, naçah)
2 Chron 32:31 (5254, naçah])
Ps 105:19 (6884, tsaraph)
Jer 6:27-30 ([the word “tower”, 969, bachon is taken from 974], 974, bachan)
Jer 9:7 (6884, tsaraph); 974, bachan)
Jn 6:6 (3985, peirazo)
Heb 11:17 (3985, peirazo)

No great truth of Scripture is proven with a single text.
The great fundamental Bible doctrines (for example,
as the mercy of God and the second coming) are
proven by numerous clear biblical statements. It is
found that each scriptural statement refines, clarifies,
and defines what God seeks to reveal. It is as if each
passage is as a fence post that falls in line with and
supports a line of truth that threads its way over the
landscape of biblical themes. Thus the essential
truths of God’s Word are usually found to be
repeated in different terms and contexts from the
beginning to the end of the Bible. Such is the case
with the foundational passages for the doctrine of
believer investigation.

The doctrines of believer probation and the
investigative judgment are part of the Bible’s doctrine
of believer testing. The following passages make use
of Hebrew and Greek terms that, in their context,
convey the idea of God’s investigation, searching,
examining, and purifying of believers. Most of these
passages are found in Chapters 2 and 7.