Torture, as a concept and practice, is addressed in various ways throughout the Bible. While the term "torture" itself may not frequently appear in the biblical text, the Scriptures provide insight into the treatment of individuals, the infliction of suffering, and the moral and ethical considerations surrounding such actions.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the treatment of individuals, including prisoners and enemies, is addressed within the broader context of justice and warfare. The Mosaic Law, given to the Israelites, established principles for justice and punishment. While the Law prescribed certain penalties for specific offenses, it also emphasized the importance of justice and mercy. For example, Deuteronomy 25:3 limits the number of lashes a person could receive, stating, "He may receive no more than forty lashes, lest your brother be beaten any more than that and be degraded in your sight."

Instances of harsh treatment and suffering are recorded in the historical narratives. The Egyptians' oppression of the Israelites in Exodus is a notable example, where the Israelites were subjected to hard labor and cruel treatment (Exodus 1:13-14). The prophets often spoke against the mistreatment of the vulnerable and called for justice and righteousness (Isaiah 1:17).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the theme of suffering, including unjust suffering, is prominent, particularly in the context of persecution for faith. Jesus Christ Himself endured suffering and was subjected to cruel treatment leading up to and during His crucifixion. The Gospels describe how He was mocked, beaten, and scourged (Matthew 27:26-31; Mark 15:15-20; Luke 22:63-65; John 19:1-3).

The early Christians also faced persecution and suffering. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often recounted the hardships and sufferings he endured for the sake of the Gospel (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). Despite such suffering, the New Testament encourages believers to endure and remain faithful, trusting in God's ultimate justice and vindication (1 Peter 4:12-19).

Moral and Ethical Considerations

The Bible consistently upholds the dignity and worth of every human being, created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This foundational belief informs the Christian perspective on the treatment of others, including the rejection of cruelty and inhumane treatment. The teachings of Jesus emphasize love, mercy, and forgiveness, even towards one's enemies (Matthew 5:44; Luke 6:27-36).

The biblical call to love one's neighbor as oneself (Leviticus 19:18; Matthew 22:39) and to do unto others as one would have them do unto oneself (Matthew 7:12) further underscores the ethical stance against torture and the mistreatment of others. The New Testament's emphasis on compassion, justice, and mercy reflects the heart of God towards all humanity.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not provide a systematic treatise on torture, its teachings and narratives offer a framework for understanding the moral and ethical implications of inflicting suffering on others. The call to justice, mercy, and love remains central to the biblical worldview, guiding believers in their interactions with others and their response to suffering and injustice.1. (n.) Extreme pain; anguish of body or mind; pang; agony; torment; as, torture of mind.

2. (n.) Especially, severe pain inflicted judicially, either as punishment for a crime, or for the purpose of extorting a confession from an accused person, as by water or fire, by the boot or thumbkin, or by the rack or wheel.

3. (n.) The act or process of torturing.

4. (v. t.) To put to torture; to pain extremely; to harass; to vex.

5. (v. t.) To punish with torture; to put to the rack; as, to torture an accused person.

6. (v. t.) To wrest from the proper meaning; to distort.

7. (v. t.) To keep on the stretch, as a bow.

931. basanos -- a touchstone (a dark stone used in testing metals) ...
... 930, 931. basanos. 932 . a touchstone (a dark stone used in testing metals),
hence examination by torture, torture. Part of Speech ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/931.htm - 7k

5178. tumpanizo -- to beat a drum, to torture by beating
... to beat a drum, to torture by beating. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: tumpanizo
Phonetic Spelling: (toom-pan-id'-zo) Short Definition: I torture, break ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5178.htm - 7k

928. basanizo -- to torture
... to torture. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: basanizo Phonetic Spelling:
(bas-an-id'-zo) Short Definition: I torment, torture, buffet Definition: I examine ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/928.htm - 7k

929. basanismos -- torture
... torture. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: basanismos Phonetic Spelling:
(bas-an-is-mos') Short Definition: torture, torment Definition: torture ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/929.htm - 7k

4761. strebloo -- to twist
... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: strebloo Phonetic Spelling: (streb-lo'-o)
Short Definition: I rack, pervert, twist Definition: I twist, torture; met: I ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4761.htm - 7k

5344. Phelix -- "fortunate," Felix, a governor of Judea
... 5344 -- , the governor of Judea ( ad 52-60) who persecuted the Jews and
flagrantly used bribes, unethical informers, and torture. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5344.htm - 7k

350. anakrino -- to examine, investigate
... Accordingly, 350 () is often used in its sense in the ancient world. It can even
refer to "examination by torture" (see Field, , 120f, ).]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/350.htm - 8k

318. anagke -- necessity
... The verb denotes the someone upon another. . .At times there is implied in the
idea of 'force,' thus it can even mean 'to torture' someone" ().]. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/318.htm - 7k

426. anetazo -- to examine judicially
... an-et-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I examine judicially Definition: I examine (a person
on trial, a witness) judicially (frequently by the aid of torture). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/426.htm - 6k

The Manifold Forms of Torture and Punishment Practiced against the ...
... Book II. Chapter LII."The Manifold Forms of Torture and Punishment practiced
against the Christians. "Then, indeed, one might ...
/.../pamphilius/the life of constantine/chapter lii the manifold forms of.htm

Pheroras's Wife is Accused by his Freedmen, as Guilty of Poisoning ...
... CHAPTER 4. Pheroras's Wife Is Accused By His Freedmen, As Guilty Of Poisoning Him;
And How Herod, Upon Examining; Of The Matter By Torture Found The Poison ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 pherorass wife is.htm

Of the Crimes of the Wicked, and the Torture Inflicted on the ...
... the divine institutes Book V. Of Justice. Chap. IX."Of the Crimes of
the Wicked, and the Torture Inflicted on the Christians. ...
/.../lactantius/the divine institutes/chap ix of the crimes of.htm

Of the Error of Human Judgments when the Truth is Hidden.
... are men who cannot discern the consciences of those at their bar, and are therefore
frequently compelled to put innocent witnesses to the torture to ascertain ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 6 of the error of.htm

The Life of Mr. Hugh M'kail.
... him, with the greater importunity, to declare an account of the whole business,
and upon Dec.3, the boots (a most terrible instrument of torture) were laid on ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr hugh 2.htm

ii.
... others with ropes. And the spectacle of these modes of torture had great
variety in it, and exhibited vast malignity. For some had ...
//christianbookshelf.org/phileas/the writings of phileas/ii.htm

From the Saying of Our Lord we Know that the Flesh is Weak...
... and the lofty cross, and the rage of the wild beasts, and that punishment of the
flames, of all most terrible, and all the skill of the executioner in torture. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/ad martyras/chapter iv from the saying.htm

The Writings of Phileas the Martyr Describing the Occurrences at ...
... 3. Wherefore also being zealous for the greater gifts, the Christ-bearing martyrs
endured all trials and all kinds of contrivances for torture; not once only ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter x the writings of phileas.htm

Of the Two Classes of Voluptuous Men, and of their Death, Falling ...
... If, accordingly, a man indulge in luxury for one day, and be deceived and be tortured
for one day, the day of his torture is equivalent to a whole year. ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/similitude sixth of the two.htm

If, Again, it is Certain that we are the Most Wicked of Men...
... not in that case deal with us in the ordinary way of judicial proceedings against
offenders; for, in the case of others denying, you apply the torture to make ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter ii if again it.htm

Torture (9 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Extreme pain; anguish of body or mind; pang; agony; torment; as, torture
of mind. ... 4. (vt) To put to torture; to pain extremely; to harass; to vex. ...
/t/torture.htm - 9k

Pain (172 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Any uneasy sensation in animal bodies, from slight uneasiness to extreme
distress or torture, proceeding from a derangement of functions, disease, or ...
/p/pain.htm - 43k

Torment (19 Occurrences)
... Gr. basanos (Matthew 4:24), the "touch-stone" of justice; hence inquisition by torture,
and then any disease which racks and tortures the limbs. ...
/t/torment.htm - 13k

Engine
... an agent. 3. (n.) Any instrument by which any effect is produced; especially,
an instrument or machine of war or torture. 4. (n.) A ...
/e/engine.htm - 7k

Question (153 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) Examination with reference to a decisive result; investigation; specifically,
a judicial or official investigation; also, examination under torture. ...
/q/question.htm - 37k

Oppresseth (8 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 16:10 And Asa is angry at the seer, and giveth him to the house of
torture, for 'he is' in a rage with him for this; and Asa oppresseth 'some' of ...
/o/oppresseth.htm - 8k

Jaw (6 Occurrences)
... Psalm 22:15, "My tongue cleaveth to my jaws (malqoach)," is descriptive of the effect
of a fever or physical torture, a dryness and a horrible clamminess. ...
/j/jaw.htm - 11k

Jawbone (3 Occurrences)
... Psalm 22:15, "My tongue cleaveth to my jaws (malqoach)," is descriptive of the effect
of a fever or physical torture, a dryness and a horrible clamminess. ...
/j/jawbone.htm - 10k

Learnt (12 Occurrences)
... a riot. (WEY). Acts 22:29 So the men who had been on the point of putting
him under torture immediately left him. And the Tribune ...
/l/learnt.htm - 10k

Wheel (20 Occurrences)
... consisting of, a wheel. 3. (n.) A spinning wheel. See under Spinning. 4. (n.)
An instrument of torture formerly used. 5. (n.) A circular ...
/w/wheel.htm - 18k

What does the Bible say about torture? | GotQuestions.org

What is the history of crucifixion? What was crucifixion like? | GotQuestions.org

Why did Jesus have to experience so much suffering? | GotQuestions.org

Torture: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus