931. basanos

Lexicon

basanos: Torment, Torture

Original Word: βάσανος
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: basanos
Pronunciation: BAH-sah-nos
Phonetic Spelling: (bas'-an-os)
Definition: Torment, Torture
Meaning: torture, torment, examination by torture.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

torment.

Perhaps remotely from the same as basis (through the notion of going to the bottom); a touch-stone, i.e. (by analogy) torture -- torment.

see GREEK basis

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 931 básanos – originally, a black, silicon-based stone used as "a touchstone" to test the purity of precious metals (like silver and gold). See 928 (basanízō).

[In the papyri, basanos also means, "touchstone," "test" (so P Oxy I. 58.25, ad 288).

931 (basanois) was "originally (from oriental origin) a touchstone; a 'Lydian stone' used for testing gold because pure gold rubbed on it left a peculiar mark. Then it was used for examination by torture. Sickness was often regarded as 'torture' " (WP, 1, 37).]

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
of Oriental origin
Definition
a touchstone (a dark stone used in testing metals), hence examination by torture, torture
NASB Translation
pains (1), torment (2).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 931: βάσανος

βάσανος, βασάνου, ἡ (Curtius, p. 439);

a. the touchstone (called also basanite, LatinlapisLydius), by which gold and other metals are tested.

b. the rack or instrument of torture by which one is forced to divulge the truth.

c. torture, torment, acute pains: used of the pains of disease, Matthew 4:24; of the torments of the wicked after death, ἐν βασάνοις ὑπάρχειν, Luke 16:23 (Wis. 3:1; 4 Macc. 13:14); hence, ὁ τόπος τῆς βασάνου is used of Gehenna, Luke 16:28. (In Greek writings from (Theognis), Pindar down.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: The term βάσανος is derived from the base of the Greek word "βάσις" (basis), which means "a step" or "a foundation." Originally, it referred to a touchstone used to test the purity of metals, particularly gold.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Greek βάσανος does not have a direct one-to-one equivalent in Hebrew, but it is conceptually related to several Hebrew terms that denote suffering or affliction, such as מַכְאוֹב (mak'ob, Strong's 4341) meaning "pain" or "suffering," and עֲנִי (ani, Strong's 6040) meaning "affliction" or "misery." These terms capture the essence of distress and torment that βάσανος conveys in the Greek New Testament.

Usage: The word βάσανος is used in the New Testament to describe physical and mental suffering, often in the context of divine judgment or punishment. It appears in passages that discuss the consequences of sin and the reality of eternal punishment.

Context: The term βάσανος appears in several key New Testament passages, illustrating its significance in the context of judgment and suffering. In Matthew 4:24, it is used to describe the various afflictions from which people sought healing from Jesus: "News about Him spread all over Syria, and people brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain (βάσανος), the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed—and He healed them."

In Luke 16:23, the word is used in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, where the rich man finds himself in Hades, experiencing torment: "In Hades, where he was in torment (βάσανος), he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side." This passage highlights the concept of βάσανος as a state of conscious suffering after death, emphasizing the moral and eschatological dimensions of the term.

The use of βάσανος in Revelation 9:5 further underscores its association with divine judgment: "They were not given power to kill them, but only to torture (βάσανος) them for five months. And the agony they suffered was like that of the sting of a scorpion when it strikes." Here, the term is linked to the apocalyptic imagery of suffering inflicted upon those who do not bear the seal of God.

Overall, βάσανος conveys a profound sense of distress and affliction, often in the context of divine retribution or testing. It serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the reality of divine justice.

Forms and Transliterations

βασανοις βασάνοις βάσανον βάσανόν βάσανος βασανου βασάνου basanois basánois basanou basánou

Englishman's Concordance

Matthew 4:24 N-DFP
GRK: νόσοις καὶ βασάνοις συνεχομένους καὶ
NAS: diseases and pains, demoniacs,
KJV: and torments, and
INT: diseases and pains oppressed and

Luke 16:23 N-DFP
GRK: ὑπάρχων ἐν βασάνοις ὁρᾷ Ἀβραὰμ
NAS: being in torment, and saw
KJV: being in torments, and seeth Abraham
INT: being in torment he sees Abraham

Luke 16:28 N-GFS
GRK: τοῦτον τῆς βασάνου
NAS: to this place of torment.'
KJV: this place of torment.
INT: this of torment

Strong's Greek 931
3 Occurrences

βασάνοις — 2 Occ.
βασάνου — 1 Occ.