Tormentor
Culture & SocietyWhat is the meaning of Tormentor in the Bible?
A tormentor is an individual who inflicts severe suffering or oppression, a role frequently depicted in ancient contexts where imprisonment served as a mechanism for debt repayment.
SIGNIFICANCE
Recognizing the function of the tormentor illuminates the harsh economic realities and social vulnerabilities present in biblical times, thereby deepening the reader's comprehension of prayers for deliverance and the theological themes of divine justice and redemption.
Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide
Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Tormentor. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
- Why did the biblical author mention Tormentor in this passage?
- What cultural or historical assumption does Tormentor clarify?
Related Topics
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
"Tormentor." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/tormentor/