na.sah denotes examining people or situations, including testing God through challenge or demand.

Most often, the verb marks an examination intended to disclose whether people will obey or what is in their heart; it can also describe people putting God to the test through quarrel, demand, or rebellion, and trying persons, equipment, food, or proposals in practical inquiry.

1. Examination of conduct or inward disposition · dominant

   Piel infinitive constructs state the purpose of examining Israel's response: in Exodus 16:4 the APB renders, "that I may test whether they will walk in my instruction or not," and in Deuteronomy 8:2, "to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not." In Genesis 22:1, a Piel perfect introduces God's examination of Abraham, while Psalm 26:2 uses a Piel imperative in a request for examination.

   Exodus 16:4Deuteronomy 8:2Deuteronomy 8:16Genesis 22:1Judges 3:4Psalm 26:2
2. Putting God to the test through challenge · common

   Piel imperfect and sequential imperfect forms describe people testing God in conflict or demand. In Exodus 17:2 the APB places the action in a quarrel over water, and Psalm 78:18 renders it as testing God "by demanding food for their soul."

   Exodus 17:2Exodus 17:7Deuteronomy 6:16Numbers 14:22Psalm 78:18Psalm 95:9
3. Trying persons, objects, or proposals · common

   The verb can mark practical inquiry or trial. In 1 Kings 10:1, a Piel infinitive construct accompanies the queen's riddles for Solomon; Daniel 1:12 uses a Piel imperative for a ten-day food trial, followed by a sequential imperfect in Daniel 1:14. In 1 Samuel 17:39, Piel perfect forms concern David's lack of prior trial with the equipment.

   1 Kings 10:11 Samuel 17:39Daniel 1:12Daniel 1:14Ecclesiastes 2:1Judges 6:39

In the Anselm Project Bible: Across these verses, the APB commonly uses "test," "tested," and "testing"; it also uses "try" in 1 Samuel 17:39 and "put the LORD to the test" in Isaiah 7:12. These are presentations of whole clauses.