Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage:Laughter is a physical expression of joy, amusement, or derision. In the Bible, laughter is depicted in various contexts, ranging from expressions of joy and celebration to scorn and disbelief. It is a human response that can reflect a range of emotions and attitudes.
Biblical Instances:1.
Joy and Celebration: Laughter is often associated with joy and the fulfillment of God's promises. In
Genesis 21:6, Sarah expresses her joy at the birth of Isaac, saying, "God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me." This laughter is a response to the miraculous fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah in their old age.
2.
Disbelief and Skepticism: Laughter can also be a reaction of disbelief or skepticism. In
Genesis 18:12, Sarah laughs to herself upon overhearing the promise of a son, doubting due to her advanced age: "So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, 'After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?'" This laughter reflects her initial skepticism about God's promise.
3.
Mockery and Scorn: Laughter is sometimes used to express mockery or scorn. In
2 Kings 2:23, young boys mock the prophet Elisha, saying, "Go up, you baldhead!" Their laughter and ridicule result in a severe consequence, highlighting the seriousness of mocking God's servants.
4.
Divine Laughter: The Bible also attributes laughter to God, often in the context of divine judgment or derision of human folly.
Psalm 2:4 states, "The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them." This laughter signifies God's sovereignty and the futility of human rebellion against His will.
5.
Wisdom Literature: In the wisdom literature, laughter is sometimes portrayed as fleeting or superficial.
Ecclesiastes 2:2 reflects on the vanity of laughter, stating, "I said of laughter, 'It is madness,' and of pleasure, 'What does it accomplish?'" This perspective encourages a deeper pursuit of meaning beyond mere amusement.
6.
Restoration and Hope: Laughter is also a symbol of restoration and hope. In
Psalm 126:2, the return of the Israelites from exile is marked by joy and laughter: "Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, 'The LORD has done great things for them.'"
Theological Implications:Laughter in the Bible serves as a multifaceted expression of human emotion and divine interaction. It can signify joy and fulfillment, as well as skepticism and derision. Theologically, laughter underscores the complexity of human responses to God's actions and the ultimate sovereignty of God over human affairs. It invites believers to discern the nature of their laughter—whether it aligns with joy in God's promises or reflects a heart of disbelief or mockery.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To show mirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face and eyes, and usually accompanied by the emission of explosive or chuckling sounds from the chest and throat; to indulge in laughter.
2. (v. i.) Fig.: To be or appear gay, cheerful, pleasant, mirthful, lively, or brilliant; to sparkle; to sport.
3. (v. t.) To affect or influence by means of laughter or ridicule.
4. (v. t.) To express by, or utter with, laughter; -- with out.
5. (n.) An expression of mirth peculiar to the human species; the sound heard in laughing; laughter. See Laugh, v. i.
Greek
1070. gelao -- tolaugh... gelao. 1071 . to
laugh. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: gelao Phonetic Spelling:
(ghel-ah'-o) Short Definition: I
laugh Definition: I
laugh, smile.
...2606. katagelao -- to deride
... to deride. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: katagelao Phonetic Spelling:
(kat-ag-el-ah'-o) Short Definition: Ilaugh at, ridicule Definition: Ilaugh at...
Strong's Hebrew
7832. sachaq -- tolaugh... 7831, 7832. sachaq. 7833 . to
laugh. Transliteration: sachaq Phonetic Spelling:
(saw-khak') Short Definition:
laugh. Word Origin a prim.
...6711. tsachaq -- tolaugh
... 6710, 6711. tsachaq. 6712 . tolaugh. Transliteration: tsachaq Phonetic Spelling:
(tsaw-khak') Short Definition:laugh. Word Origin a prim....
3932. laag -- to mock, deride, stammer
... root Definition to mock, deride, stammer NASB Word Usagelaugh (1), mock (3), mocked
(5), mocks (4), scoff (2), scoffs (1), sneer (1), stammering (1)....
3446. Yischaq -- Isaac
... Word Origin the same as Yitschaq, qv. Isaac From Shachatsowm; he willlaugh; Jischak,
the heir of Abraham -- Isaac. Compare Yitschaq. see HEBREW Shachatsowm....
6712. tsechoq -- laughter
... laughed to scorn. From tsachaq; laughter (in pleasure or derision) --laugh(-ed
to scorn). see HEBREW tsachaq. 6711, 6712. tsechoq. 6713 . Strong's Numbers
Library
Do You Dare toLaugh at us when we Speak of Hell...
... Book II. 14 Do you dare tolaugh at us when we speak of hell? Do you dare
tolaugh at us when we speak of hell, [3501] and fires...
But Why do ILaugh at the Sickles and Tridents which have Been...
... 13 But why do Ilaugh at the sickles and tridents which have been given to? But
why do Ilaugh at the sickles and tridents which have been given to the gods?...
YouLaugh Because in Ancient Times the Persians Worshipped Rivers....
... Book VI. 11 Youlaugh because in ancient times the Persians worshipped
rivers? Youlaugh because in ancient times the Persians...
She Thought, "ILaugh Prettily"
... Chapter 13. Wesley in Scotland Again; Methodist's Wealth; "No Law for Methodists";
Exhausting Days; Whitefield She Thought, "ILaugh Prettily"....
But YouLaugh at Our Reply, Because, While we Deny that Souls are...
... Book II. 51 But youlaugh at our reply, because, while we deny that souls
are of royal? But youlaugh at our reply, because, while...
What is More, Let AnyoneLaugh and Taunt if He So Wishes. ...
... Section 45. What is more, let anyonelaugh and taunt if he so wishes.? 45.
What is more, let anyonelaugh and taunt if he so wishes....
And Yet, O Ye whoLaugh Because we Worship one who Died an...
... Book I. 41 And yet, O ye wholaugh because we worship one who died an
ignominious death? And yet, O ye wholaugh because we worship...
Another Part of My Smoke' which You FrequentlyLaugh at is My...
... 31. Another part of my smoke' which you frequentlylaugh at is my pretence, as you
say, to know what I do not know, and the parade I make of great teachers to...
And Since You have Been Wont toLaugh at Our Faith...
... Book II. 8 And since you have been wont tolaugh at our faith? And since
you have been wont tolaugh at our faith, and with droll...
It was a Pleasure to Him Also toLaugh when Seriously Deceiving...
... Book II. Chapter IX."It Was a Pleasure to Him Also toLaugh When Seriously
Deceiving Others. 17. By what feelings, then, was I animated?...
Thesaurus
Laugh (23 Occurrences)... 5. (n.) An expression of mirth peculiar to the human species; the sound heard
in laughing; laughter. See
Laugh, vi.
...Laugh (23 Occurrences).
...Laughter (14 Occurrences)
... LAUGHTER. laf'-ter (chaq, tsachaq, "tolaugh," sechoq, "laughter"; gelao, katagelao):
(1) Laughter as the expression of gladness, pleasurable surprise, is the...
Mocker (11 Occurrences)
... scorn" (2 Chronicles 30:10 Nehemiah 4:1 Job 11:3; Job 21:3 Proverbs 1:26; Proverbs
17:5; Proverbs 30:17 Jeremiah 20:7). Other words are tsachaq, "tolaugh," etc...
Mocking (25 Occurrences)
... scorn" (2 Chronicles 30:10 Nehemiah 4:1 Job 11:3; Job 21:3 Proverbs 1:26; Proverbs
17:5; Proverbs 30:17 Jeremiah 20:7). Other words are tsachaq, "tolaugh," etc...
Mock (43 Occurrences)
... scorn" (2 Chronicles 30:10 Nehemiah 4:1 Job 11:3; Job 21:3 Proverbs 1:26; Proverbs
17:5; Proverbs 30:17 Jeremiah 20:7). Other words are tsachaq, "tolaugh," etc...
Scorn (65 Occurrences)
... The word, outside of the phrase "laugh to scorn," is found only in the Old Testament,
and then only 4 times (Esther 3:6; King James Version, Psalm 44:13; Psalm...
Deride (7 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vt) Tolaugh at with contempt; to ridicule; tolaugh;
to scorn; to turn to ridicule or make sport of; to mock; to scoff at....
Derision (24 Occurrences)
... de-rizh'-un: Three verbs are so translated luts, "scorn" (Psalm 119:51); la`agh,
"mock" (Psalm 2:4; Psalm 59:8 Ezekiel 23:32); and sachaq, "laugh at" (Job 30:1...
Laughed (27 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) ofLaugh.... Genesis 18:15 Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for
she was afraid. And he said, Nay; but thou didstlaugh. (KJV JPS ASV WBS)....
Sarah (38 Occurrences)
... Genesis 18:13 Yahweh said to Abraham, "Why did Sarahlaugh, saying,'Will I really
bear a child, yet I am old?' (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Resources
Did Jesus ever laugh? | GotQuestions.orgHow should a Christian view comedy? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is holy laughter? | GotQuestions.orgLaugh: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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