TRY (Heb. bachan)

“try”

 (Heb. bachan) (3:10; Gen. 42:15, 16; Ps. 26:2; Jer. 9:7) Strong’s #974: This Hebrew verb means “to try,” or “to put to the test” (Job 23:10; Ps. 139:23; Zech. 13:9). The word can mean “to test” in the sense of separating or discriminating one thing from another (Job 34:3). When this word is used to depict God’s “testing” of people, it means the proving of individuals in such a way that their faith becomes more established (Ps. 66:10–12; Jer. 17:10; 20:12). Malachi’s challenge to the Israelites to try God is a rare instance in which people are encouraged to test the faithfulness of the Lord (3:10). This word for try can be contrasted with another Hebrew verb for testing, nasah. That latter word is frequently used in a negative sense, to describe the way Israel was testing God with their unbelief (Ex. 17:7; Pss. 78:18; 95:9). The Law of Moses warned the Israelites not to tempt God (Deut. 6:16; Ps. 95:9); it was a mark of spiritual adultery (Matt. 12:38, 39). According to James, God tests people in order to grant them the crown of life—but He tempts no one (James 1:12–14).