Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being "tormented" appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, often associated with suffering, anguish, and divine judgment. The term is used to describe both physical and spiritual afflictions, and it is frequently linked to the consequences of sin and the reality of eternal punishment.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the idea of torment is often connected to the suffering of individuals or nations due to disobedience to God. For example, in
Deuteronomy 28:65-67, the Israelites are warned of the torment they will experience if they fail to obey God's commandments: "Among those nations you will find no repose, not even a resting place for the sole of your foot. There the LORD will give you a trembling heart, failing eyes, and a despairing soul. Your life will hang in doubt before you, and you will be in dread night and day, never certain of survival."
The Psalms also reflect the theme of torment, particularly in the context of personal anguish and the cry for deliverance.
Psalm 6:3-4 expresses this sentiment: "My soul is deeply distressed. How long, O LORD, how long? Turn, O LORD, and deliver my soul; save me because of Your loving devotion."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of torment is often associated with the consequences of sin and the final judgment. Jesus speaks of torment in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, where the rich man finds himself in Hades, in a place of torment, after his death.
Luke 16:23-24 states, "In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he cried out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in this fire.’"
The Book of Revelation also vividly describes the torment of those who oppose God.
Revelation 14:10-11 warns, "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. Day and night there is no rest for those who worship the beast and its image, or for anyone who receives the mark of its name."
Spiritual and Eternal ImplicationsThe Bible presents torment not only as a physical experience but also as a spiritual reality. It is often depicted as the result of separation from God and the rejection of His grace. The torment of the wicked is portrayed as eternal, emphasizing the seriousness of sin and the importance of repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
In
Matthew 8:29 , demons recognize Jesus' authority and express their fear of torment: "What do You want with us, Son of God? they shouted. Have You come here to torture us before the appointed time?" This acknowledgment underscores the power of Christ over spiritual forces and the ultimate judgment that awaits them.
ConclusionThe biblical portrayal of torment serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of sin and the reality of divine judgment. It calls believers to live in obedience to God, seek His mercy, and proclaim the message of salvation through Jesus Christ to a world in need of redemption.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Torment.
Greek
928. basanizo -- to torture... Word Origin from basanos Definition to torture NASB Word Usage battered (1),
felt...
tormented (1), pain (1), straining (1), torment (4),
tormented (4).
...3600. odunao -- to cause or suffer pain
... Definition: I torment, pain; mid. and pass: I amtormented, pained; I suffer
acute pain, physical or mental. 3600 (from 3601 , " painful...
Library
Whether in Hell the Damned areTormented by the Sole Punishment of...
... OF THE PUNISHMENT OF THE DAMNED (SEVEN ARTICLES) Whether in hell the damned
aretormented by the sole punishment of fire? Objection...
And that He Shall be Despised andTormented and in the End Put to...
... THE DEMONSTRATION OF THE APOSTOLIC PREACHING Chapter 68 And that He shall
be despised andtormented and in the end put to death?...
Thus Soul-Sick was I, andTormented, Accusing Myself Much More...
... Book VIII Chapter XI Thus soul-sick was I, andtormented, accusing myself
much more severely than my wont? Thus soul-sick was...
Of Four Kinds of Fever Wherewith a Man May beTormented
... THE SECOND BOOK CHAPTER XXXII. OF FOUR KINDS OF FEVER WHEREWITH A MAN MAY
BETORMENTED. Those men who are full of noxious humours...
An Objection, Asking Why those who areTormented by Unclean...
... Second Conference of Abbot Moses. Chapter XXIX. An objection, asking why those who
aretormented by unclean spirits are separated from the Lord's communion....
Whether the Worm of the Damned is Corporeal?
... Objection 1: It would seem that the worm by which the damned aretormented is
corporeal. Because flesh cannot betormented by a spiritual worm....
Of the Punishment of the Damned (Seven Articles)
... those things that concern the damned after the judgment: (1) The punishment of the
damned, and the fire by which their bodies will betormented; (2) matters...
The Wrath of God
... Upon the body. The body, which was so tender that it could not bear heat or
cold, shall betormented in the wine press of God's wrath....
Hebrews xi. 37, 38
... Hebrews xi. 37, 38. Hebrews xi.37, 38 "They wandered about in sheep-skins, and
goat-skins, being destitute, afflicted,tormented (of whom this [3337] world was...
Whether the Fire of Hell, if it be Material Fire, Can Burn the...
... the question: If the fire is not to be immaterial, analogous to the pain of the
soul, but material, burning by contact, so that bodies may betormented in it...
Thesaurus
Tormented (17 Occurrences)...Tormented (17 Occurrences). Matthew 8:6 and saying, "Lord, my servant lies in the
house paralyzed, grievously
tormented." (WEB KJV ASV WBS NAS).
...Torment (19 Occurrences)
... 5. (vt) To pain; to distress; to afflict. 6. (vt) To tease; to vex; to harass; as,
to betormented with importunities, or with petty annoyances....
Grievously (17 Occurrences)
... evil" (Revelation 16:2), "a grievous sore"; dusbastaktos, "grievous to be borne"
(Matthew 23:4 Luke 11:46); deinos, "greatly," "grievouslytormented" (Matthew 8...
Palsy (12 Occurrences)
... Bennett conjectures that the centurion's palsied servant grievouslytormented was
suffering from progressive paralysis with respiratory spasms (see PAIN)....
Brimstone (14 Occurrences)
... The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without
mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall betormented with fire...
Sulfur (14 Occurrences)
... anger. He will betormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the
holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb. (WEB NIV)....
Sick (117 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT RSV). Matthew 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth
at home sick of the palsy, grievouslytormented. (KJV ASV WBS)....
Home (270 Occurrences)
... NIV). Matthew 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy,
grievouslytormented. (KJV WEY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Matthew...
Home (270 Occurrences)
... NIV). Matthew 8:6 And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy,
grievouslytormented. (KJV WEY WBS NAS RSV NIV). Matthew...
Vicinity (18 Occurrences)
... Acts 5:16 Multitudes also came together from the cities around Jerusalem, bringing
sick people, and those who weretormented by unclean spirits: and they were...
Resources
Is Angelica Zambrano's testimony of experiencing heaven and hell biblically sound? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God send an evil spirit to torment King Saul? | GotQuestions.orgIs annihilationism biblical? | GotQuestions.orgTormented: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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