The word basanismos, βασανισμός, in all of its 6 occurrences in the New Testament, means some sort of continual suffering that is experienced whether it be by people being tormented for five months (Rev. 9:5) or the smoke of wicked’s torment which ascends forever (Rev. 14:11). However, in the case of the city of Babylon which is set in torment (Rev. 18:7, 10, 15), it appears that the governmental system is tormented.  This must allude to the horrors experienced by the people within that corrupt system.  In no cases is the assault, torture, suffering a state of nonexistence.

 

• Greek word: βασανισμός, basanismos.
• Meaning:   torment
• Strong’s #: G929
  Frequency:  6 occurrences

Summary of the meaning of the Greek word βασανίζω, basanismos in all verses where it occurs in the New Testament.

• Continual suffering
  • People tormented for five months, Rev. 9:5
  • Smoke of torment ascends forever and ever, Rev. 14:11
  • Babylon is set in torment, Rev. 18:7, 10, 15

 

TABLE OF ALL NEW TESTAMENT USAGES OF TORMENT, βασανισμός
Address	Verse	Meaning
Rev. 9:5	“And they were not permitted to kill anyone, but to torment for five months; and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings a man.”	Continual suffering
Rev. 14:11	“And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”	Continual suffering
Rev. 18:7	“To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, ‘I SIT as A QUEEN AND I AM NOT A WIDOW, and will never see mourning.'”	Continual suffering
Rev. 18:10	“standing at a distance because of the fear of her torment, saying, ‘Woe, woe, the great city, Babylon, the strong city! For in one hour your judgment has come.’”	Continual suffering
Rev. 18:15	“The merchants of these things, who became rich from her, will stand at a distance because of the fear of her torment, weeping and mourning.”	Continual suffering

 

Dictionaries and Lexicons consulted

• “to vex, torture. Examination, especially by torture; a torture, torment (Rev. 14:11). Referring to the torture of smoke, meaning the smoke of the fire in which one is tormented (Rev. 18:7, 10, 15).
  • 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.
• “torment, torture. 2A the act of tormenting. 2B the state or condition of those tormented.”
  • Strong, James. Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship, 1995.