Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage in Scripture:The term "torment" in the Bible is often associated with severe physical or mental suffering, anguish, or distress. It is used to describe both earthly and spiritual afflictions, often in the context of divine judgment or demonic oppression.
Old Testament References:In the Old Testament, the concept of torment is not as explicitly detailed as in the New Testament, but the idea is present in various forms of suffering and distress. For example, the anguish of Job can be seen as a form of torment, as he experiences profound physical and emotional suffering. Job laments, "My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope" (
Job 7:6), expressing the depth of his torment.
New Testament References:The New Testament provides a more explicit depiction of torment, particularly in the context of divine judgment and the afterlife. In the Gospels, Jesus speaks of torment in parables and teachings about the final judgment. In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man finds himself in Hades, "being in torment" (
Luke 16:23), highlighting the eternal consequences of a life lived apart from God.
The Book of Revelation also vividly describes torment as part of the final judgment.
Revelation 14:10-11 states, "He too will drink the wine of God’s anger, poured undiluted into the cup of His wrath. And he will be tormented in fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment rises forever and ever." This passage underscores the eternal nature of the torment reserved for those who reject God.
Spiritual and Demonic Torment:The New Testament also addresses the concept of torment in the context of demonic activity. In
Matthew 8:29 , when Jesus encounters two demon-possessed men, the demons cry out, "What do You want with us, Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the appointed time?" This indicates that even demonic forces recognize the authority of Christ and the torment that awaits them.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, torment is often understood as a consequence of sin and separation from God. It serves as a warning of the spiritual realities that await those who do not seek reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ. The concept of torment emphasizes the seriousness of sin and the need for repentance and faith in Christ to avoid eternal separation from God.
Practical Application:Believers are encouraged to reflect on the reality of torment as a motivation for evangelism and compassionate outreach. Understanding the severity of eternal separation from God should inspire Christians to share the message of salvation with urgency and love, offering hope and redemption through Jesus Christ.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Gr. basanos (
Matthew 4:24), the "touch-stone" of justice; hence inquisition by torture, and then any disease which racks and tortures the limbs.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An engine for casting stones.
2. (n.) Extreme pain; anguish; torture; the utmost degree of misery, either of body or mind.
3. (n.) That which gives pain, vexation, or misery.
4. (v. t.) To put to extreme pain or anguish; to inflict excruciating misery upon, either of body or mind; to torture.
5. (v. t.) To pain; to distress; to afflict.
6. (v. t.) To tease; to vex; to harass; as, to be tormented with importunities, or with petty annoyances.
7. (v. t.) To put into great agitation.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
TORMENT, PLACE OFtor'-ment: A literal translation in Luke 16:28 of topos tes basanou.
See HELL.
Greek
929. basanismos -- torture ... torture. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: basanismos Phonetic Spelling:
(bas-an-is-mos') Short Definition: torture,
torment Definition: torture
... 928. basanizo -- to torture
... to torture. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: basanizo Phonetic Spelling:
(bas-an-id'-zo) Short Definition: I torment, torture, buffet Definition: I examine ...
931. basanos -- a touchstone (a dark stone used in testing metals) ...
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: basanos Phonetic Spelling:
(bas'-an-os) Short Definition: torture, torment Definition: torture, torment ... torment. ...
2851. kolasis -- correction
... Transliteration: kolasis Phonetic Spelling: (kol'-as-is) Short Definition: chastisement,
punishment Definition: chastisement, punishment, torment, perhaps with ...
3600. odunao -- to cause or suffer pain
... to cause or suffer pain. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: odunao Phonetic Spelling:
(od-oo-nah'-o) Short Definition: I torment, pain Definition: I torment ...
2558. kakoucheo -- to ill-treat
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kakoucheo Phonetic Spelling: (kak-oo-kheh'-
o) Short Definition: I treat evilly Definition: I treat evilly, hurt, torment. ...
1067. geenna -- Gehenna, a valley W. and South of Jer., also a ...
... ("hell"), the place of - torment (judgment), refers strictly to the everlasting
abode of the redeemed where they experience divine judgment . ...
3791. ochleo -- to disturb, trouble
... to disturb, trouble. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ochleo Phonetic Spelling:
(okh-leh'-o) Short Definition: I trouble, torment, worry Definition: I ...
5299. hupopiazo -- to strike under the eye
... under the eye NASB Word Usage discipline (1), wear (1). torment, strike
in the face. From a compound of hupo and a derivative of ...
3553. nosema -- sickness
... Cognate: 3553 (a neuter noun derived from 3554 , "a chronic illness") -- a disease
(sickness) viewed in terms of its (especially mental torment). ...
Strong's Hebrew
4620. maatsebah -- a place of pain... 4619, 4620. maatsebah. 4621 . a place of pain. Transliteration: maatsebah
Phonetic Spelling: (mah-ats-ay-baw') Short Definition:
torment.
... 3013. yagah -- to suffer
... root Definition to suffer NASB Word Usage afflicted (1), caused her grief (1), causes
grief (1), grieve (2), inflicted (1), torment (1), tormentors (1). ...
Library
The Torment of Fear
... SERMON XXII. THE TORMENT OF FEAR. (First Sunday after Trinity.) ... There is no fear
in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. ...
How Important and Necessary it Is, to the Interiour Soul, to ...
... The Martyrs, besides the shortness of their Torment, which hardly endured days,
were comforted, with a clear light and special help, in hope of the near and ...
The Right Kind of Fear
... 14. But did not John say that "fear hath torment?" Then how can he be happy
who hath fear, and especially he who hath it always. ...
The Destruction of Babylon.
... lived luxuriously with her, will weep and wail for her, when they see the smoke
of her burning, standing afar off through the fear of her torment, saying, Woe! ...
Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... ver.3, "even as the scorpions of the earth have power;" "for they had tails like
scorpions, and in them stings with which they hurt; and their torment was as ...
The Great Fruits Produced by the Above-Mentioned Prayer. The ...
... 3. Do not fancy I mean, daughters, that she neglects to eat and drink, though it
brings no small torment to her, or to perform the duties of her state. ...
The Rich Man and Lazarus
... But here it evidently means, that region of hades where the souls of wicked men
reside, as appears from the following words, "Being in torment;" " "in order ...
Jesus Heals Two Gergesene Demoniacs.
... God? I beseech thee, ^bI adjure thee by God, torment me no. ^c ... art thou
come hither to torment us before the time? [The judgment ...
Of Two Spiritual Martyrdoms, Wherewith God Cleanseth the Soul that ...
... a mighty force; because so much the greater as the Lord would have the Illumination
and Union of a Soul to be, so much the more strong is the Torment and the ...
Matt. viii. 23, 24
... said,. "What have we to do with Thee, Jesus, Thou Son of God? Art Thou come
hither to torment us before the time?" [1192]. For, because ...
Thesaurus
Torment (19 Occurrences)... 7. (vt) To put into great agitation. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
TORMENT,
PLACE OF.
... See HELL. Multi-Version Concordance
Torment (19 Occurrences).
...Torture (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Extreme pain; anguish of body or mind; pang; agony; torment; as, torture
of mind. ... Hast Thou come here to torment us before the time?" (See NIV). ...
Tormented (17 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Torment. Multi-Version Concordance
Tormented (17 Occurrences). Matthew 8:6 and saying, "Lord ...
Hell (53 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The place or state of punishment for the wicked after death; the
abode of evil spirits. Hence, any mental torment; anguish. ...
Months (65 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Revelation 9:5 They were given
power not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. ...
Permitted (31 Occurrences)
... There was given to him a great sword. (See RSV). Revelation 9:5 They were given
power not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. ...
Strikes (39 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Revelation 9:5 They were given power not to kill them, but to torment
them for five months. Their torment was like the torment...
Loud (222 Occurrences)
... Hast Thou come here to torment us before the time?" (Root in WEY BBE). ... I adjure you
by God, don't torment me." (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). ...
Business (147 Occurrences)
... God? Have you come here to torment us before the time?" (See NAS). Matthew ...
God? I adjure you by God, don't torment me." (See NAS). Luke ...
Scorpion (6 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Revelation 9:5 They were given
power not to kill them, but to torment them for five months. ...
Resources
Why did God send an evil spirit to torment King Saul? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is conditional immortality? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does hell look like? How hot is hell? | GotQuestions.orgTorment: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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