1. Overview

βασανισμός (basanismós), transliterated as “bah-sah-nee-SMOS,” is a Greek noun derived from the verb βασανίζω (basanízō), which means “to torment” or “to torture.” The root of these words, βάσανος (básanos), originally referred to a touchstone used to test the purity of metals, particularly gold. Over time, the meaning of básanos expanded to encompass the idea of severe testing, torture, and torment. As a noun, basanismós specifically refers to the state or act of being tormented or tortured, often implying extreme suffering, whether physical, mental, or spiritual.

2. Lexical Details

BDAG (Bauer-Danker-Arndt-Gingrich) defines basanismós as “torment” or “torture,” emphasizing that it conveys the idea of severe suffering. BDAG points out that the word is often used in contexts involving divine judgment, demonic activity, or extreme distress. The term can refer to both the process of tormenting someone and the resulting state of torment.

Thayer’s Lexicon echoes this definition, highlighting basanismós as the state of being subjected to intense pain or suffering, whether it be physical or emotional. Thayer’s notes that the word is used in the New Testament primarily in eschatological contexts, where it describes the final judgment and the eternal suffering of the wicked.

Vine’s Expository Dictionary also focuses on the idea of “torment” in its definition of basanismós, stressing that the term is used to depict the ultimate suffering of those who are judged by God. Vine’s underscores the intensity of the suffering implied by basanismós and its connection to the concept of eternal punishment.

LSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) provides additional context by noting that basanismós was used in classical Greek literature to describe various forms of torment, including physical torture and mental anguish. The lexicon highlights the word’s association with extreme pain and suffering, often in a legal or punitive context.

Biblical references:

• Revelation 9:5: “They were allowed to torment (βασανισθῶσιν) them for five months, but not to kill them, and their torment was like the torment of a scorpion when it stings someone.”
• Revelation 14:11: “And the smoke of their torment (βασανισμοῦ) goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”
• Revelation 18:7: “As she glorified herself and lived in luxury, so give her a like measure of torment (βασανισμὸν) and mourning, since in her heart she says, ‘I sit as a queen, I am no widow, and mourning I shall never see.’”

These verses illustrate how basanismós is used in the New Testament to describe the intense suffering associated with divine judgment and the ultimate fate of the wicked.

3. Classical Usage

In classical Greek literature, basanismós was used to describe various forms of torture and torment, often in a legal or judicial context. The term was commonly associated with the process of extracting confessions or information through physical pain or psychological pressure.

Examples include:

• Polybius, Histories: Basanismós is used to describe the torture inflicted on prisoners of war, particularly in the context of interrogation and punishment.
• Plutarch, Lives: The word appears in descriptions of judicial torture, where individuals are subjected to severe pain to determine their guilt or innocence.
• Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca historica: Basanismós is used to depict the suffering of individuals subjected to harsh conditions, whether in battle or captivity.

These examples highlight the word’s consistent association with extreme suffering and its frequent use in contexts of judgment and punishment.

4. Summary

The word basanismós (G929) carries with it a strong connotation of severe torment and suffering. Rooted in the idea of testing and proving through pain, this term evolved in both classical and biblical Greek to depict the extreme suffering associated with divine judgment, demonic activity, and judicial punishment. The word is particularly prominent in the New Testament, where it is used to describe the final judgment and the eternal suffering of the wicked. Understanding the depth of this word’s meaning provides a clearer insight into the biblical passages where it is used, underscoring the severity of the torment described.