Original Word: βάσανος
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: basanos
Pronunciation: BAH-sah-nos
Phonetic Spelling: (bas'-an-os)
Definition: Torment, Torture
Meaning: torture, torment, examination by torture.

Word Origin: Derived from the base of the Greek word "βάσανος," which originally referred to a touchstone used for testing the purity of metals.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with the concept of torment or affliction is "מַכְאוֹב" (mak'ob), which means pain or suffering.

Usage: In the New Testament, "basanos" is used to describe severe suffering, torment, or torture. It often conveys the idea of intense pain or distress, whether physical or mental. The term is used in contexts that imply judgment or punishment, reflecting a state of severe affliction.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek culture, a "basanos" was a touchstone used to test the authenticity of gold and other precious metals. Over time, the term evolved to describe a method of testing or proving something through trial or suffering. In the context of the New Testament, it is associated with the concept of divine judgment and the suffering of those who are separated from God.

Cognate: 931 básanos – originally, a black, silicon-based stone used as "a touchstone" to test the purity of precious metals (like silver and gold). See 928 (basanízō).

[In the papyri, basanos also means, "touchstone," "test" (so P Oxy I. 58.25, ad 288).

931 (basanois) was "originally (from oriental origin) a touchstone; a 'Lydian stone' used for testing gold because pure gold rubbed on it left a peculiar mark. Then it was used for examination by torture. Sickness was often regarded as 'torture' " (WP, 1, 37).]

Word Origin
of Oriental origin
Definition
a touchstone (a dark stone used in testing metals), hence examination by torture, torture
NASB Translation
pains (1), torment (2).

STRONGS NT 931: βάσανος

βάσανος, βασάνου, ἡ (Curtius, p. 439);

a. the touchstone (called also basanite, LatinlapisLydius), by which gold and other metals are tested.

b. the rack or instrument of torture by which one is forced to divulge the truth.

c. torture, torment, acute pains: used of the pains of disease, Matthew 4:24; of the torments of the wicked after death, ἐν βασάνοις ὑπάρχειν, Luke 16:23 (Wis. 3:1; 4 Macc. 13:14); hence, ὁ τόπος τῆς βασάνου is used of Gehenna, Luke 16:28. (In Greek writings from (Theognis), Pindar down.)

torment.

Perhaps remotely from the same as basis (through the notion of going to the bottom); a touch-stone, i.e. (by analogy) torture -- torment.

see GREEK basis

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