The Hebrew verb nasah means to test, to try, to put to the proof, or to tempt (in the sense of testing). It is used for both divine testing of humans and human testing of God. The word implies a trial designed to reveal the quality of faith, character, or loyalty. It is the verb used for God 'testing' Abraham.
The theology of divine testing (nasah) is one of the most important and misunderstood themes in Scripture. When God tested Abraham by commanding the sacrifice of Isaac (Genesis 22:1), it was not cruelty but a revealing act — demonstrating the strength of Abraham's faith for all generations. Similarly, God tested Israel in the wilderness to reveal what was in their hearts (Deuteronomy 8:2). The Psalms' repeated warnings against 'testing God' (Psalm 95:9) refer to the human sin of demanding proofs of God's faithfulness — the opposite of trusting faith. James 1:2-3 reframes nasah-type trials as opportunities for spiritual growth.