Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and General Overview:Laughing is a physical expression of joy, amusement, or derision, often characterized by vocal sounds and facial movements. In the Bible, laughter is depicted in various contexts, ranging from expressions of joy and celebration to scorn and disbelief. The act of laughing can reflect a person's inner state and is often used to convey deeper spiritual truths.
Biblical Instances of Laughter:1.
Laughter of Joy and Celebration:·
Sarah's Laughter: One of the most notable instances of laughter in the Bible is Sarah's reaction to the promise of a son in her old age. Initially, Sarah laughs in disbelief when she hears the prophecy (
Genesis 18:12). However, her laughter turns to joy upon the birth of Isaac, whose name means "he laughs." Sarah declares, "God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me" (
Genesis 21:6).
·
Joyful Laughter in Psalms: The Psalms often associate laughter with joy and divine blessing.
Psalm 126:2 describes the laughter of the Israelites upon their return from exile: "Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy" .
2.
Laughter of Scorn and Derision:·
Mocking Laughter: Laughter is also used to express scorn or derision. In the account of Elisha, young boys mock the prophet, saying, "Go up, you baldhead!" (
2 Kings 2:23). Their laughter is not one of joy but of contempt, leading to a severe consequence.
·
Divine Laughter: The Bible also speaks of God laughing in derision at the plans of the wicked.
Psalm 2:4 states, "The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them" . This laughter signifies God's supreme authority and the futility of human rebellion against His will.
3.
Laughter of Disbelief:·
Abraham's Laughter: Similar to Sarah, Abraham also laughs when God promises him a son through Sarah. His laughter is a mix of disbelief and wonder at the prospect of fathering a child at his advanced age (
Genesis 17:17).
Theological Implications:Laughter in the Bible often serves as a reflection of human emotions in response to God's actions and promises. It can signify a range of emotions from disbelief to joy, and from scorn to celebration. Theologically, laughter can be seen as a response to the unexpected and miraculous works of God, as well as a reminder of His ultimate authority over human affairs.
Moral and Ethical Considerations:The Bible encourages believers to discern the nature of their laughter. Joyful laughter that stems from gratitude and recognition of God's blessings is celebrated, while mocking or scornful laughter is discouraged.
Proverbs 14:13 warns, "Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow" , highlighting the complexity of human emotions and the importance of aligning one's heart with God's truth.
Cultural and Historical Context:In ancient Near Eastern cultures, laughter was a common expression of both joy and derision. The biblical narratives reflect this cultural understanding, using laughter to convey complex emotional and spiritual realities. The transformation of Sarah's laughter from disbelief to joy underscores the transformative power of faith and God's faithfulness to His promises.
Conclusion:Laughter in the Bible is multifaceted, serving as an expression of human emotion in response to divine interaction. Whether in joy, disbelief, or scorn, laughter reveals the heart's posture towards God and His works.
Topical Bible Verses
Genesis 18:15Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid. And he said, No; but you did laugh.
Topicalbible.orgEcclesiastes 3:4
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Topicalbible.org
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Laugh.
2. (a. & n.) from Laugh.
Greek
2606. katagelao -- to deride... Word Origin from kata and gelao Definition to deride NASB Word Usage
laughing (3). laugh at, scorn. To laugh down, ie Deride -- laugh to scorn.
...Strong's Hebrew
4890. mischaq -- object of derision... object of derision. Transliteration: mischaq Phonetic Spelling: (mis-khawk') Short
Definition:
laughing.
... scorn. From Shachatsowm; a
laughing-stock -- scorn.
...7047. qeles -- derision
... Word Origin from qalas Definition derision NASB Word Usage derision (3). derision.
From qalac; alaughing-stock -- derision. see HEBREW qalac. 7046, 7047....
Library
Whether Derision is a Special Sin Distinct from those Already...
... mentioned above. Forlaughing to scorn is apparently the same as derision.
Butlaughing to scorn pertains to reviling. Therefore...
Definitions, Genera, and Species.
... The faculty oflaughing, accordingly, being added to the definition of man, makes
the whole"a rational, mortal, terrestrial, walking,laughing animal....
On Laughter.
... to be found imitators of things of which we are prohibited to be listeners; and
still more absurd for a man to set about making himself alaughing-stock, that...
ecce Iterum Crispinus!'
... Neither, you trifler from Antioch!' answered Eutyches,laughing; but they look like
spectres.... Why? Did he think one ear enough?' asked Eutyches,laughing....
O what Amazement Befel the Evil One, of a Sudden, My Brethren...
... craftiness."12. Carved images henceforth are a mockery and the carvers:
a derision, and the worshippers alaughing-stock."13. I...
MAY MIRACLES
... Wrought us by the May? See how all arelaughing yonder,. Whether priest or lay....
Welcoming the May. With our dancing,laughing, singing: No sad dumps to-day!...
The Anthropomorphites not So Bad as the Manich??ans.
... I join with you inlaughing at the folly of carnal men, unable as yet to form
spiritual conceptions, who think of God as having a human form....
Wesley and the Oatmeal Sellers
... I had observed to the society last week that I had not seen one congregation ever
in Ireland behave so ill at church as that at Athlone,laughing and staring...
Reductio Ad Absurdum
... should be standing here now with us all, circumscribed by the limits of this small
court." Then Simon, seeing Peter and all the peoplelaughing, said: "Do you...
Philip and the Desposyni
... houses opened beneath them as they rode up the mountain-path; and here and
there"for it happened to be a day of festival"they met littlelaughing groups of...
Thesaurus
Laughing (38 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Laughing (38 Occurrences). Matthew 9:24 He said, Make
room; for the girl is not dead, but sleeping. And they were
laughing at him.
...Laughing-stock (3 Occurrences)
Laughing-stock. Laughingstock,Laughing-stock. Laughs . Int. Standard
Bible EncyclopediaLAUGHING-STOCK. laf'-ing-stok: Something...
Laughingstock (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) An object of ridicule; a butt of sport. Int.
Standard Bible Encyclopedia.LAUGHING-STOCK. laf'-ing-stok...
Laughter (14 Occurrences)
... has also this sense (Job 8:21 Psalm 126:2). It is, however, "laughed to scorn" in
Job 12:4; the Revised Version (British and American) "laughing-stock"; so...
Sport (99 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 36:16 But they put shame on the servants of God, making sport of his
words andlaughing at his prophets, till the wrath of God was moved against...
Scorn (65 Occurrences)
... In Habakkuk 1:10 (the King James Version) the word translated "scorn" is micchaq,
"an object of laughter," "laughing-stock." In Psalm 44:13; Psalm 79:4 the...
Newly-married (8 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 7:34 And in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, I will
put an end to thelaughing voices, the voice of joy and the voice of the newly...
Mocking (25 Occurrences)
... made a mocking-stock" (empaizo)); of mokos (Ecclesiasticus 33:6). For "mocked of"
(Job 12:4) the Revised Version (British and American) has "alaughing-stock to...
Voices (76 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 7:34 And in the towns of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem, I will
put an end to thelaughing voices, the voice of joy and the voice of the newly...
Resources
Does God have a sense of humor? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is holy laughter? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Third Wave Movement? | GotQuestions.orgLaughing: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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