In biblical literature, the term "tormentors" is often associated with those who inflict suffering, punishment, or distress upon others. The concept of tormentors can be understood both in a literal and a metaphorical sense, encompassing human agents, spiritual beings, and even circumstances that cause anguish or pain.

Biblical References:

1. Matthew 18:34 : In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Jesus uses the imagery of tormentors to illustrate the consequences of unforgiveness. The verse states, "In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should repay all that he owed." Here, the "jailers" or "tormentors" symbolize the severe repercussions of failing to extend mercy, reflecting the spiritual truth that those who do not forgive may themselves experience inner torment.

2. Luke 16:23-24 : The account of the rich man and Lazarus provides another depiction of torment. The rich man, upon dying, finds himself in Hades, where he is in agony. The passage reads, "In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’" This narrative highlights the eternal consequences of a life lived without regard for God and others, with torment serving as a metaphor for the suffering of separation from divine grace.

3. Revelation 9:5 : In the apocalyptic visions of Revelation, torment is depicted as part of divine judgment. The verse describes a period of suffering inflicted by locusts: "They were not given power to kill them, but only to torment them for five months. And their torment was like the stinging of a scorpion." This imagery underscores the severity of God's judgment upon those who oppose Him, with torment serving as a temporary but intense form of punishment.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, tormentors can be seen as instruments of divine justice or as representations of the consequences of sin. The Bible consistently portrays God as just and righteous, and the presence of tormentors in Scripture often serves to remind believers of the seriousness of sin and the importance of repentance and forgiveness.

Spiritual Warfare:

In the context of spiritual warfare, tormentors may also refer to demonic forces that seek to oppress and afflict believers. Ephesians 6:12 states, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this world’s darkness, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This passage highlights the reality of spiritual adversaries that can act as tormentors, challenging Christians to remain vigilant and reliant on God's power for protection and deliverance.

Practical Application:

Believers are encouraged to seek God's grace and strength in overcoming any form of torment, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. The Bible assures that God is a refuge and deliverer for those who call upon Him. Psalm 34:17 promises, "The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears; He delivers them from all their troubles." This assurance provides comfort and hope, reminding Christians that God is sovereign over all forms of torment and is faithful to deliver His people.Tormentors

The Greek word usually denotes men who had charge of instruments of torture, by which unwilling witnesses were compelled to testify, and the agonies of execution in some cases were protracted. The same men, however, were keepers of prisons and jails; and it is probably with reference only to their office as jailers that the word is used in Matthew 18:34.

8437. tolal -- perhaps to be wasted
... 8436, 8437. tolal. 8438 . perhaps to be wasted. Transliteration: tolal
Phonetic Spelling: (to-lawl') Short Definition: tormentors. ...
/hebrew/8437.htm - 6k

3013. yagah -- to suffer
... root Definition to suffer NASB Word Usage afflicted (1), caused her grief (1), causes
grief (1), grieve (2), inflicted (1), torment (1), tormentors (1). ...
/hebrew/3013.htm - 6k

No Forgiveness to the Unforgiving.
... You worshipped me, but You besought me; and no longer did he order him and his to
be sold, but, what was worse, he delivered him to the tormentors, because of ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/13 no forgiveness to the.htm

The Reward of Obedience.
... In the parable of the king taking account of his servants, he delivers the unmerciful
debtor to the tormentors, 'till he should pay all that was due unto him ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/macdonald/hope of the gospel/the reward of obedience.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, John v. 2, "Now There is in Jerusalem ...
... For there are two tormentors of the soul, torturing it not at once, but alternating
their tortures. These two tormentors' names are, Fear and Sorrow. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon lxxiv on the words.htm

Concerning the King who Made a Reckoning with his Own Servants, to ...
... and cast his fellow-servant, and who were the fellow-servants who were grieved and
told the lord all that had been done, and who were the tormentors to whom he ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/6 concerning the king who.htm

Hence Neither is it Lawful to Accuse those who have Left All...
... into peril, as being those perhaps who might not be able to persist in their confession
to the end, on account of the cruelty of their tormentors, they shall ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon xiii hence neither is.htm

The General Service to one Martyr.
... by name), through his suffering, an incorruptible crown did obtain from Thee, our
God; for, rejoicing in Thy strength, he laid low his tormentors and did beat ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xiv the general service.htm

With those Also Who, as it were from Sleep...
... them to pray that they may not be tempted; and He did not deliver up Himself, but
was delivered up; and we are not to go over to the tormentors, that we may ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/canon ix with those also.htm

Sin and Forgiveness Between Brethren.
... No doctrine of the Bible is more plainly taught than this.] 34 And his lord was
wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxiv sin and forgiveness between.htm

The Service to a Female Martyr.
... by name), that came unto Christ of her own will and adorned her heart with virtues,
for she hath put to shame the insolence of her tormentors, and having shone ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xx the service to.htm

The Wicked Servant
... pity, and again, when the wretched man has shown himself base and cruel, unworthy
of that pity, revokes his pardon, and delivers him to the tormentors till he ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon xviii the wicked servant.htm

Tormentors (3 Occurrences)
...Tormentors (3 Occurrences). Matthew 18:34 His lord was angry, and delivered him
to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him. ...
/t/tormentors.htm - 7k

Tormentor (1 Occurrence)
... Probably the imprisonment itself was regarded as "torment" (as it doubtless was),
and the "tormentors" need mean nothing more than jailers. Burton Scott Easton. ...
/t/tormentor.htm - 7k

Owing (7 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). Matthew 18:34 And his lord being angry delivered him to the
tormentors till he paid all that was owing to him. (DBY YLT). ...
/o/owing.htm - 8k

Wroth (65 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS YLT). Matthew 18:34 And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the
tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. (KJV ASV WBS YLT). ...
/w/wroth.htm - 26k

Torments (1 Occurrence)

/t/torments.htm - 6k

Repay (79 Occurrences)
... NAS). Matthew 18:34 His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors,
until he should pay all that was due to him. (See NAS). ...
/r/repay.htm - 28k

Delivered (427 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:34 His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he
should pay all that was due to him. (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/d/delivered.htm - 35k

Due (93 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY ASV). Matthew 18:34 His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors,
until he should pay all that was due to him. (WEB KJV ASV WBS). ...
/d/due.htm - 35k

Moved (316 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT). Matthew 18:34 His lord was angry, and delivered him
to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him. (See NAS). ...
/m/moved.htm - 35k

Pay (212 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:34 His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he
should pay all that was due to him. (WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/pay.htm - 37k

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