The word basanos, βάσανος, in each of its 3 occurrences in the New Testament means some sort of continual suffering that is experienced by people (Matt. 4:24; Luke 16:23, 28). In no cases is the suffering (punishment in Luke 16:23, 28) a state of nonexistence.
- Greek word: βάσανος, basanos.
- Meaning: torment
- Strong’s #: G931
Frequency: 3 occurrences
Summary of the meaning of the Greek word βάσανος, basanos in all verses where it occurs in the New Testament.
- Continual suffering
- Jesus healed physical suffering, Matt. 4:24
- Rich man in torment in Hades, Luke 16:23, 28
TABLE OF ALL NEW TESTAMENT USAGES OF TORMENT, βάσανος | ||
Address | Verse | Meaning |
Matt. 4:24 | The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, cepileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. | Continual suffering |
Luke 16:23 | “In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. | Continual suffering |
Luke 16:28 | for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ | Continual suffering |
Dictionaries and Lexicons consulted
- “Metaphorically meaning instrument of torture by which one is forced to divulge the truth, examination, trial by torture. In the NT, torment, pain from disease (Matt. 4:24; Sept.: Ezek. 12:18); also used of punishment (Luke 16:23, 28).”
- Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament. Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers, 2000
- “severe pain associated with torture and torment—‘torment, severe pain, severe suffering.”
- Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.
- “the rack or instrument of torture by which one is forced to divulge the truth. 3 torture, torment, acute pains. 3A of the pains of a disease. 3B of those in hell after death.”
- Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1995.