βάσανος (basanos)
basanos
torment
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun basanos originally referred to a touchstone, a dark siliceous stone used to test the purity of gold or silver by rubbing metal against it. This concrete image of evaluation evolved into a metaphor for intense suffering, specifically torture or torment designed to extract truth or inflict pain. In the New Testament, this shift from testing to agony is evident in its usage.
The word appears only three times, notably in Matthew 4:24 and Luke 15:28. In Matthew, it describes the severe illnesses and torments suffered by those seeking Jesus’ healing, highlighting physical distress. In Luke’s parable, the prodigal son complains that his brother is not even given a young goat to celebrate with friends, using the term to express a sense of harsh treatment or exclusion within the household. Translators typically render it as "torment" or "torture," preserving the original sense of severe affliction rather than mere discomfort.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Greek word basanos originally described a touchstone used to test the purity of precious metals. In the New Testament, it shifts from testing to intense suffering or torment. This imagery reminds us that God sees our deepest pain and is present with us in our darkest moments.
In Matthew 4:24, people brought those suffering from severe torments to Jesus, who healed them all. This shows His compassion for human agony. In Luke 16, the word describes a place of torment after death, highlighting the eternal consequences of how we live. It calls us to care for others and live with eternity in mind.
When you face hardship, remember that Jesus understands suffering. He does not leave you alone in your pain. His presence brings hope, even when the road is difficult. You are seen, known, and loved by Him.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- torment1×
- of torment.1×
- by pains1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- βασάνοις2×
- βασάνου.¶1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 4:24
The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them.
This verse shows Jesus healing those afflicted with torments, demonstrating His power to relieve human suffering.
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Luke 16:23
In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom.
Here, the word describes the conscious torment of the rich man in Hades, emphasizing eternal consequences.
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Luke 16:28
for I have five brothers—that he may testify to them, so they won’t also come into this place of torment.’
The rich man uses this term to describe the place his brothers might also enter, urging them to heed Moses and the prophets.