Torment
TextsWhat is the meaning of Torment in the Bible?
The term torment originates from the Greek word basanos, which initially referred to a touchstone used to test the purity of metals. In biblical contexts, the meaning shifted to describe intense suffering, torture, or punitive confinement.
TEXTUAL SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the etymological transition from metallurgical testing to physical affliction helps readers distinguish between the concepts of divine refinement and retributive judgment found in New Testament passages.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Manuscript & Literary Context: Notice how Torment functions as an authoritative historical witness connecting earlier prophetic promises with scripture's broader fulfillment.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Torment in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Torment clarify?
Source Attribution
Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.
How to Cite This Entry
"Torment." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/torment/