Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ContextMirth, in biblical terms, refers to joy, gladness, and amusement, often expressed through laughter and celebration. It is a state of happiness and delight that can be both a personal experience and a communal expression. In the Bible, mirth is depicted in various contexts, from joyous celebrations to warnings against excessive indulgence.
Biblical ReferencesMirth is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, highlighting both its positive and negative aspects. In
Ecclesiastes 3:4, the Preacher acknowledges that there is "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance," suggesting that mirth has its rightful place in the human experience. This verse underscores the balance between sorrow and joy, indicating that mirth is a natural and appropriate response in certain seasons of life.
In the context of celebration, mirth is often associated with feasting and music. For example, in
Isaiah 24:8, the prophet describes a scene where "the joyful tambourines have ceased; the noise of revelers has stopped; the joyful harp is silent." Here, mirth is linked to music and festivity, elements that are integral to communal rejoicing.
Warnings Against Excessive MirthWhile mirth is a gift from God, the Bible also warns against excessive indulgence in pleasure.
Ecclesiastes 2:1-2 records Solomon's reflection: "I said to myself, 'Come now, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good!' But it proved to be futile. I said of laughter, 'It is folly,' and of pleasure, 'What does it accomplish?'" This passage highlights the futility of seeking ultimate fulfillment in mirth and pleasure alone, reminding believers that true satisfaction is found in God.
Proverbs 14:13 also offers a sobering perspective: "Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow." This verse serves as a reminder that mirth, while enjoyable, is temporary and can coexist with underlying sorrow.
Mirth in Worship and CelebrationMirth is not only a personal experience but also a communal one, often expressed in worship and celebration. In
1 Chronicles 15:16, David instructs the leaders of the Levites to appoint musicians to "raise sounds of joy" with their instruments as the Ark of the Covenant is brought to Jerusalem. This event is marked by great rejoicing and mirth, reflecting the joy of God's presence among His people.
Similarly, in
Nehemiah 8:10, the people are encouraged to celebrate with joy: "Go, eat of the fat, drink of the sweet, and send portions to those who have nothing prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength." Here, mirth is associated with the strength and joy that come from the Lord, emphasizing its role in spiritual renewal and community bonding.
ConclusionMirth, as depicted in the Bible, is a multifaceted concept that encompasses joy, celebration, and the appropriate expression of happiness. While it is a natural and God-given emotion, believers are cautioned to seek balance and to find their ultimate joy in the Lord. Through both personal and communal expressions of mirth, the Bible encourages a life that honors God and reflects His goodness.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) Merriment; gayety accompanied with laughter; jollity.
2. (n.) That which causes merriment.
Strong's Hebrew
8057. simchah -- joy, gladness,mirth... 8056, 8057. simchah. 8058 . joy, gladness,
mirth. Transliteration: simchah
Phonetic Spelling: (sim-khaw') Short Definition: joy.
...7797. sus -- to exult, rejoice
... be glad, greatly, joy, makemirth, rejoice. Or siys {sece}; a primitive root; to
be bright, ie Cheerful -- be glad, X greatly, joy, makemirth, rejoice....
4885. masos -- exultation, rejoicing
... joy,mirth, rejoice. From suws; delight, concretely (the cause or object) or abstractly
(the feeling) -- joy,mirth, rejoice. see HEBREW suws. 4884, 4885....
8342. sason -- exultation, rejoicing
... gladness, joy,mirth, rejoicing. Or sason {saw-sone'}; from suws; cheerfulness;
specifically, welcome -- gladness, joy,mirth, rejoicing. see HEBREW suws....
Library
Whether There is a Sin in Lack ofMirth?
... OF MODESTY AS CONSISTING IN THE OUTWARD MOVEMENTS OF THE BODY (FOUR ARTICLES)
Whether there is a sin in lack ofmirth? Objection...
That God is to be Loved and Worshipped in Diseases: and Also of...
... THE FIRE OF LOVE. BOOK I CHAPTER IX THAT GOD IS TO BE LOVED AND WORSHIPPED
IN DISEASES: AND ALSO OF THEMIRTH AND MEEKNESS OF THE GOOD....
Chapter ii.
... Chapter II. Ver.1. "I said in mine heart, Go to now, make trial as inmirth, and
behold in good.... And he makes mention of themirth, which men call so....
Sundry Sharp Reproofs
... 2 This doctrine reproves them who instead of weeping for sin, spend their days in
mirth and jollity.... Is that yourmirth which grieves the Spirit?...
The Unseen Watcher
... of brass, protected by the river Euphrates, and stocked with provision in abundance,
the voluptuous monarch felt safe and passed his time inmirth and revelry....
By the Example of Judith is Shown that Courage is not Wanting in...
... the Scriptures. From the time when her husband died she laid aside the
garments ofmirth, and took those of mourning. Every day...
How and in what Time I came to Solitary Life: and of the Song of...
... halsing to be desired; and lifting my soul from low things has borne it to heaven,
so that I might truly burn in desire for the everlastingmirth, more than...
Christ the Only Rest for the Weary and Heavy-Laden
... thoughts: they are too polite to entertain any sad thoughts; the talk of death and
judgment is irksome to them, because it damps theirmirth; they could not...
A Bundle of Myrrh
... What is a dream to the glorious reality? What is time'smirth in its best
trim compared to our Lord Jesus in his most despised estate?...
Of the Excellence of Ghostly Song: and that it Neither Can be Said...
... Therefore the singer is led into allmirth, and, the well of endless heat breaking
forth inmirth, he is received into halsing and singular solace, and the...
Thesaurus
Mirth (18 Occurrences)... 1. (n.) Merriment; gayety accompanied with laughter; jollity. 2. (n.) That which
causes merriment. Multi-Version Concordance
Mirth (18 Occurrences).
...Frolic (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A wild prank; a flight of levity, or of gayety andmirth. 3. (n.) A scene
of gayety andmirth, as in lively play, or in dancing; a merrymaking....
Bridegroom (23 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 7:34 Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the
streets of Jerusalem, the voice ofmirth and the voice of gladness, the voice...
Bride (31 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 7:34 Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the
streets of Jerusalem, the voice ofmirth and the voice of gladness, the voice...
Joy (422 Occurrences)
... delight. 2. (n.) That which causes joy or happiness. 3. (n.) The sign or
exhibition of joy; gayety;mirth; merriment; festivity. 4...
Laugh (23 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To showmirth, satisfaction, or derision, by peculiar movement of the muscles
of the face, particularly of the mouth, causing a lighting up of the face...
Laughter (14 Occurrences)
... Proverbs 14:13 Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, andmirth may
end in heaviness. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV)....
Glee (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Music; minstrelsy; entertainment. 2. (n.) Joy;
merriment;mirth; gayety; particularly, themirth enjoyed at a feast....
Tambourines (13 Occurrences)
... Genesis 31:27 Why did you flee secretly, and deceive me, and didn't tell me, that
I might have sent you away withmirth and with songs, with tambourine and...
Sport (99 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) That which diverts, and makesmirth; pastime;
amusement. 2. (n.) Mock; mockery; contemptuousmirth; derision....
Resources
Summary of the Book of Ecclesiastes - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.orgMirth: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
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