"to provoke to jealousy, Rom. 10:19; to excite to emulation, Rom. 11:11, 14; to provoke to indignation, 1 Cor. 10:22*"
Definition and meaning
to provoke to jealousy, Rom. 10:19; to excite to emulation, Rom. 11:11, 14; to provoke to indignation, 1 Cor. 10:22*
In the original Greek the word is written: παραζηλόω
Historical context
Paul wrote Romans from Corinth, one of the most important commercial cities in the empire. Rome had a Jewish population of around 50,000. The letter addresses real tensions between Jewish believers with centuries of Torah tradition and Gentile believers with no such background. Emperor Nero was on the throne. Within ten years he would execute both Paul and Peter.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of parazeloo (G3863) across the King James Bible.
But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you.
I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.
If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them.
Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
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Common questions
Strong's G3863 (parazeloo) is a Greek word that means: to provoke to jealousy, Rom. 10:19; to excite to emulation, Rom. 11:11, 14; to provoke to indignation, 1 Cor. 10:22* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word parazeloo (G3863) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G3863 is parazeloo, a Greek word defined as: to provoke to jealousy, Rom. 10:19; to excite to emulation, Rom. 11:11, 14; to provoke to indignation, 1 Cor. 10:22*. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
parazeloo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.