Básanos — G931

Definition

masculine noun

a touch-stone, i.e. (by analogy) torture

1. the touchstone (called also basanite, LatinlapisLydius), by which gold and other metals are tested
2. the rack or instrument of torture by which one is forced to divulge the truth
3. torture, torment, acute pains

Usually translated as

torment

Origin

perhaps remotely from the same as G939 (through the notion of going to the bottom)

• básis (G939)

Occurrences

Básanos occurs 3 times in the King James.

Distribution of the word across the Bible: Matthew (1), Luke (2)

• Matthew 4:24 — And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments (βασάνοις), and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
• Luke 16:23 — And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments (βασάνοις), and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
• Luke 16:28 — For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment (βασάνου).