Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Usage in Scripture:Laughter in the Bible is often associated with joy, celebration, and sometimes disbelief or scorn. It is a human expression that can reflect a range of emotions from genuine happiness to derision. The Bible presents laughter in various contexts, each revealing different aspects of human nature and divine interaction.
Joy and Celebration:Laughter is frequently depicted as a natural response to joy and the fulfillment of God's promises. In
Genesis 21:6, Sarah declares, "God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me." This laughter is one of joy and amazement at the birth of Isaac, a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah in their old age. Similarly, in
Psalm 126:2, the return of the Israelites from captivity is described: "Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy."
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, questioning, "After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?" Her laughter reflects doubt, which God addresses directly, affirming His power to fulfill His promises regardless of human limitations.
Scorn and Mockery:The Bible also records laughter in the context of scorn or mockery. In
Job 12:4, Job laments, "I am a laughingstock to my friends, though I called on God and He answered." Here, laughter is used by others to belittle and ridicule Job in his suffering. Similarly, in the New Testament, when Jesus raises Jairus's daughter, the mourners laugh at Him, not believing He can bring her back to life (
Mark 5:40).
Divine Laughter:Interestingly, the Bible also attributes laughter to God, particularly in the context of divine sovereignty and judgment.
Psalm 2:4 states, "The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them." This laughter is not one of amusement but a demonstration of God's supreme authority over the futile plans of the wicked.
Wisdom Literature:In Ecclesiastes, laughter is examined through the lens of wisdom literature.
Ecclesiastes 3:4 acknowledges that there is "a time to weep and a time to laugh," suggesting that laughter, like all human emotions, has its appropriate place and season. However,
Ecclesiastes 7:6 warns, "For like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of fools. This too is futile." This highlights the emptiness of frivolous laughter detached from true joy or understanding.
New Testament Teachings:In the teachings of Jesus, laughter is often contrasted with mourning to illustrate the values of the Kingdom of God. In
Luke 6:21, Jesus promises, "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." This indicates a future reversal of fortunes where those who suffer for righteousness will experience joy and laughter in God's kingdom.
Conclusion:Laughter in the Bible is multifaceted, reflecting the complexity of human emotions and the divine perspective on joy, disbelief, and judgment. It serves as a reminder of the appropriate times for joy and the ultimate fulfillment of God's promises.
Strong's Hebrew
3327. Yitschaq -- "helaughs," son of Abraham and Sarah... 3326, 3327. Yitschaq. 3328 . "he
laughs," son of Abraham and Sarah.
Transliteration: Yitschaq Phonetic Spelling: (yits-khawk') Short Definition: Isaac.
...7832. sachaq -- to laugh
... Usage amuse (1), amusing (1), celebrate (2), celebrating (3), hold a contest (1),
joking (1), laugh (6), laughed them to scorn (1),laughs (6), merrymakers (2...
Library
A Hymn Concerning Her.
... wild beasts. "Agnes joyouslylaughs at the sword, herself stronger than
steel, Cecilia joyouslylaughs at the foemen's sword. "Many...
How to Discover what is the Will of God.
... enlivened. Faithlaughs at these calamities as a governor of an impregnable
fortresslaughs at the useless attacks of an impotent foe....
Mr. Bernard Shaw
... made by lawless love. If helaughs at the authority of priests, helaughs
louder at the pomposity of men of science. If he condemns...
Abbott -- the Divinity in Humanity
... The man of practical sciencelaughs at the notion of an iron railway on
which steam cars shall travel faster than English coaches....
The Pilgrim's Progress
... and for stable. OBJECTION 3. But some there he that say, Helaughs too loud
And some do say, His head is in a cloud. Some say, His...
A Drama in Five Acts
... The manlaughs at us, and says, "Fanatics and enthusiasts may seek eternal joys,
but these are enough me." He believes that if there be anything permanent in...
Opposition to Messiah in Vain
... manner in which He notices their proceedings. He holds them in derision,
Helaughs them to scorn. He has them perfectly under His...
The Vanguard and Rereward of the Church
... But I hear a voice ahead. What is it? It is a laugh. Wholaughs? Why the leader
of the armylaughs. "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh at them....
Elijah's Appeal to the Undecided
... I could not describe it without putting myself into a most ludicrous posture. "How
long limp ye between two opinions?" The prophetlaughs at them, as it were....
Letter i. Behavior and Manners.
... The young girl who acts in such a manner as to attract attention in public; who
speaks loudly, and jokes andlaughs and tells stories in order to be heard by...
Thesaurus
Laughs (9 Occurrences)...Laughs (9 Occurrences). Genesis 18:13 And Jehovah said to Abraham, Why is this,
that Sarah
laughs, saying, Shall I indeed bear, when I am become old? (DBY).
...Isaac (127 Occurrences)
... present. Hence, Isaac would mean "laughs": either indefinite, "onelaughs,"
or "helaughs," namely, the one understood as the subject....
Laugh (23 Occurrences)
... Shelaughs at the time to come. (Root in WEB JPS ASV DBY RSV NIV).... Helaughs at every
stronghold, for he builds up an earthen ramp, and takes it....
Laughter (14 Occurrences)
Javelin (16 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Job 41:29 Clubs are counted as stubble. Helaughs at
the rushing of the javelin. (WEB JPS ASV DBY YLT NAS RSV)....
Lance (7 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Job 41:29 Clubs are counted as stubble. Helaughs at the rushing of the javelin.
(See NIV). Psalms 35:3 And draw out spear and lance, To meet my pursuers...
Laughing-stock (3 Occurrences)
Laughing-stock. Laughingstock, Laughing-stock.Laughs . Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia... (DBY). Laughingstock, Laughing-stock.Laughs . Reference Bible
Ramp (9 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 1:10 Yes, he scoffs at kings, and princes are a derision to him. Helaughs
at every stronghold, for he builds up an earthen ramp, and takes it....
Ramps (8 Occurrences)
... Habakkuk 1:10 Yes, he scoffs at kings, and princes are a derision to him. Helaughs
at every stronghold, for he builds up an earthen ramp, and takes it....
Dignity (14 Occurrences)
... Selah (ASV). Proverbs 31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing. She
laughs at the time to come. (WEB JPS ASV DBY NAS RSV NIV)....
Resources
What does the Bible say about coarse jesting and crude joking? | GotQuestions.orgDid Jesus ever laugh? | GotQuestions.orgHow should a Christian view comedy? | GotQuestions.orgLaughs: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
