TEMPT, L. tento teneo Gr. the primary sense is to strain, urge, press.
1. To incite or solicit to an evil act to entice to something wrong by presenting arguments that are plausible or convincing, or by the offer of some pleasure or apparent advantage as the inducement.
My lady Gray tempts him to this harsh extremity.
Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. James 1 .
2. To provoke to incite.
Tempt not the brave and needy to despair.
3. To solicit to draw without the notion of evil.
Still his strength conceal'd,
Which tempted our attempt, and wrought our fall.
4. To try to venture on to attempt.
E'er leave be giv'n to tempt the nether skies.
5. In Scripture, to try to prove to put to trial for proof.
God did tempt Abraham. Genesis 22
Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 6