"pr. lapis Lydius, a species of stone from Lydia, which being applied to metals was thought to indicate any alloy which might be mixed with them, and therefore used in the trial of metals; hence, examination of a person, especially by torture; in NT torture, torment, severe pain, ..."
Definition and meaning
pr. lapis Lydius, a species of stone from Lydia, which being applied to metals was thought to indicate any alloy which might be mixed with them, and therefore used in the trial of metals; hence, examination of a person, especially by torture; in NT torture, torment, severe pain, Mt. 4:24; Lk. 16:23, 28*
In the original Greek the word is written: βάσανος
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of basanos (G931) across the King James Bible.
And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
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Common questions
Strong's G931 (basanos) is a Greek word that means: pr. lapis Lydius, a species of stone from Lydia, which being applied to metals was thought to indicate any alloy which might be mixed with them, and therefore used in the trial of metals; hence, exami... It appears 3 times in the King James Bible.
The word basanos (G931) appears 3 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G931 is basanos, a Greek word defined as: pr. lapis Lydius, a species of stone from Lydia, which being applied to metals was thought to indicate any alloy which might be mixed with them, and t. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
basanos is a Greek word found in the New Testament.