Temptation. Some ambiguity is to be found in the biblical use of the words translated "temptation" in English. In Hebrew the concept is rooted in the verb nāsāh, "to test" or "to try." (The Greek translation of the noun is peirasmos.) A classic example of this usage is found in the story of God's tempting Abraham by commanding him to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac ( Genesis 22.1-19). Likewise, God tempts (i.e., "tries out") the Israelites to see in what way they will choose to walk ( judges 2.22). This is a primary meaning of the term in the Bible, especially in the Old Testament. Man also "tries out" God, and the Devil "tries out" man, as in Genesis 3.1-19. In James 1.2 and 1.1215, this meaning is retained: temptation is not presented as a seduction (the notion that God would in any sense seduce his creatures is totally excluded) but as a test. God does send tests and trials, however, to give them the opportunity of showing their moral fiber and developing it. This is presumably the meaning to be understood in the petition in the Lord's Prayer traditionally englished, "Lead us not into temptation." (Some modern versions render this "Do not put us to the test," i.e., "do not subject us to trial.") When Jesus re buked Satan during the Temptation in the Wilderness, reminding him at the end of the Temptation narrative, that it is said, "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God" (e.g., Luke 4.12), his rebuke implies the traditional understanding of the same biblical concept of temptation: testing or proving.

In other New Testament passages, however (e.g., I Corinthians 7.5), the concept of temptation comes closer to what is nowadays generally understood by it. Paul warns his readers against acts which, innocent though they may be, might seduce others into sin. Augustine distinguished the two ideas of temptation: one is tentatio probationis, testing or proving, the other tentatio deceptionis or tentatio seductionis. It is the latter that tends, because of human frailty, to lead one into sin. It is one thing to try out an athlete's quality and stamina by fair judicial tests; it is a very different thing to try him out to see whether he might be susceptible to bribery or the like.

Geddes MacGregor, Dictionary of Religion and Philosophy, New York: Paragon House, 1989

temptation : (nt.) palobhana.

A.P. Buddhadatta Mahathera, Concise Pali-English and English-Pali Dictionary [available as digital version from Metta Net, Sri Lanka]

'dod

[translation-san] {C} kāmatā

[translation-san] {C} spṛhā

[translation-san] {C} spṛhate

[translation-san] {C,MSA} mata

[translation-san] {√kāṅkṣ} : {MSA}kāṅkṣanti

[translation-san] {C} ākāṅkṣamāna

[translation-san] {C} ākāṅkṣati

[translation-san] {C} abhilāṣin

[translation-san] {MSA

[translation-san] Xyl: 'dor

[translation-san] 'dar}(abhi √nand): abhinandati

[translation-san] {MV} iccha

[translation-san] {MV} iṣṭa

[translation-san] {MV 1.4} iṣyate

[translation-san] {C} icchā

[translation-san] {MV} ruci

[translation-san] {MV} abhipreta

[translation-san] {C} abhipraya

[translation-san] {MSA} (ā √śaṃs): āśaṃsante

[translation-eng] {Hopkins} accept; assert; wish; desire; consider

[translation-eng] {C} concern; love; learnt; learn of; known; is understood; regarded; considered; longing; aspire for; plan; until he wishes; one who desires; just as he plans; one who is eager; long for; temptation; wish for; intention; intent; purpose; attempt (to hurt)

Jeffrey Hopkins' Tibetan-Sanskrit-English Dictionary

'dod pa

[translation-san] {LCh,MSA,MV,C,L} kāma

[translation-san] {C} spṛhatā

[translation-san] {C} spṛhayate (=spṛhet)

[translation-san] {C,MSA} spṛhā

[translation-san] {C} chandikatā

[translation-san] {C,N} icchā

[translation-san] {C} icchati

[translation-san] {LCh,C,MSA} iṣṭa

[translation-san] {C,N} iṣyate

[translation-san] {MSA} eṣitā

[translation-san] {MSA} eṣin

[translation-san] {N} abhyupagama

[translation-san] {ā √kāṅkṣ} : {MSA}ākāṅkṣati

[translation-san] {MSA} ākāṅkṣaṇa

[translation-san] {C} ākāṅkṣamāna

[translation-san] {C} arthika

[translation-san] {MV} arthitva

[translation-san] {MSA} prārthita

[translation-san] {C,N} abhimata

[translation-san] {C} abhiprāya

[translation-san] {MSA} abhipreta

[translation-san] {MV,MSA,N} abhilāṣa

[translation-san] {MV} ruci

[translation-eng] {Hopkins} desire; wish; assert; assertions; accept; desire; consider

[translation-eng] {C} longing; long for; aspire to be; zeal; zealous; zest; temptation; wish for; look for; seek; considered; desired; is considered/regarded; can be desired; just as he plans; desirous; until he wishes; profitable; admitted; intent; intention; purpose; attempt (to hurt)

Jeffrey Hopkins' Tibetan-Sanskrit-English Dictionary