Basanos and theion: interesting Greek terms

[PianoMan123]

SOURCE: http://www.godlikeproductions.com/forum ... 486641/pg1

The word "torture" used in scripture when referenced to the Lake of Fire is the Greek word Basanizo, which means to toss, vex, and yes, sometimes torture. However this same word is used in reference to the tossing waves beneath the boat while Jesus walked on water (Mark 6:48). Basanos is from the same root word. Basanos means to test, and was also known as a black touchstone which was used in metal working. It was a Lydian stone used in rubbing gold to test it's purity. In Strong's Greek Lexicon under this word's definition, it says sickness was once equated to torture. If we take all of these definitions and past scriptural proof, we can deduct that this “sickness” is sin. The creature in the lake will metaphorically be “rubbed by the touchstone” (tormented, vexed, tossed) until the sin nature is destroyed and the creature is made pure.

In other places where the English word “torment” occurs, we see other translation errors. In Matthew 25:46 where unbelievers go away into “eternal torments”, the Greek word used is Kolasis. Kolasis means temporary punishment, often in reference to horticulture: pruning, cutting away, etc. We should all know in gardening if the weed is left or the plant isn't pruned, the garden becomes sick. Pruning cuts away all that is ugly and unhealthy. This mirrors the Basano stone in gold testing. The impurities/weeds must be burnt/cut away, and the gold/garden is purified.

So we can see from this original word that again, the Lake of Fire is not literal hot fire or torture for no reason. It is a stirring up; a testing and purification in God's holy presence.

Once we begin to understand the use of the Lake as purification we can delve deeper into what elements are used within the Lake. Sulfur and brimstone are said to burn here. Let's examine these:

There are some who argue that the fire must be a literal place of burning and torture, because it is often associated with "brimstone." Revelation 21:8 says,
But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.

Does the "brimstone" prove that this is a literal fire that tortures men? Actually, the very opposite is true. Brimstone is sulphur, as any concordance will show. The original Greek word for sulphur, or "brimstone," is theion. Its root is theo, which is the same word usually translated "God." (Note: Theology is the study of God.)

Sulphur, or theion, was considered to be sacred to the ancient Greeks. It was used to consecrate for divine service, to PURIFY, and to cleanse. They used it in religious rites to purify their temples. They would even rub it on their bodies to signify consecration to God. In its verb form the word theou means "to hallow, make divine, or to dedicate to God."

This is what early Greeks believed about fire, and much of the New Testament was written for Roman/Greek audiences. Fire, sulfur, and brimstone were symbols of purification!

[wandererinthewoods]

Really nice post, while some may not know what is beyond till we are over there and will know how the afterlife actually works, I think Hell should be about rehab and progress. Why should personal progress end just because your physical body has ceased? I think repentance to Christ doesn't end here in the physical world but will still be always be offered even to the soul who is deep in Hell. For if every knee is to bend to God then the cup salvation should always be there.

[kashifali22]

n other places where the English word “torment” occurs, we see other translation errors. In Matthew 25:46 where unbelievers go away into “eternal torments”, the Greek word used is Kolasis. Kolasis means temporary punishment, often in reference to horticulture: pruning, cutting away, etc. We should all know in gardening if the weed is left or the plant isn't pruned, the garden becomes sick. Pruning cuts away all that is ugly and unhealthy. This mirrors the Basano stone in gold testing. The impurities/weeds must be burnt/cut away, and the gold/ga

[GRadmin]

Great post.. Many interesting points that tie together the likely meaning, and that it is symbolic of purification.

I am going to expand some of the different categories here on the Forums and also link it up better with my videos and also the pages here on Godrules.net. I am doing some updates to make the website more user friendly, etc..

Just added a feature on most of the Bible, commentary and topic pages so that when you highlight a text, you can quickly click and icon and put the quote up on Twitter or Facebook and it will also automatically make a link back to the page you got it from.

I think I may be able to do it on this forums as well. Will have to check into it more..