Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of rejoicing is a significant theme throughout the Bible, reflecting a deep-seated expression of joy, gratitude, and celebration in response to God's presence, blessings, and promises. Rejoicing is often portrayed as a natural response to the recognition of God's goodness and faithfulness.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, rejoicing is frequently associated with worship and the celebration of God's mighty acts. The Psalms, in particular, are replete with calls to rejoice.
Psalm 33:1 declares, "Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous; befitting is the praise of the upright." Here, rejoicing is linked to righteousness and is seen as an appropriate response to God's character and deeds.
The Israelites were commanded to rejoice during their festivals and feasts, which were times of communal celebration and remembrance of God's deliverance and provision.
Deuteronomy 16:14-15 instructs, "And you shall rejoice in your feast...for the LORD your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, and you will be altogether joyful."
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, rejoicing takes on a more personal and spiritual dimension, often connected to the coming of Jesus Christ and the salvation He brings. The angel's announcement to the shepherds in
Luke 2:10 is a prime example: "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.'"
The Apostle Paul frequently exhorts believers to rejoice, regardless of their circumstances. In
Philippians 4:4 , he writes, "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" This command underscores the idea that rejoicing is not merely an emotional response but a deliberate choice rooted in faith and trust in God.
Rejoicing in TrialsA distinctive aspect of Christian rejoicing is the ability to find joy even in the midst of trials and suffering.
James 1:2-3 encourages believers, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." This perspective is grounded in the belief that God is sovereign and that trials serve a purpose in the believer's spiritual growth.
Eschatological RejoicingThe Bible also points to a future, eschatological rejoicing that will occur when God's kingdom is fully realized.
Revelation 19:7 proclaims, "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him the glory! For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready." This ultimate rejoicing is tied to the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan and the eternal union of Christ and His Church.
ConclusionRejoicing in the Bible is a multifaceted concept that encompasses worship, gratitude, and hope. It is both a present reality and a future promise, deeply rooted in the believer's relationship with God and the assurance of His eternal purposes.
Greek
2167. euphrosune -- gladness... 2167 ("a merry outlook") brings Spirit-defined as we with a inner sense triumph.
The believer who personally
rejoices in radiates this. See 2165 ().
...4796. sugchairo -- to rejoice with
... Word Origin from sun and chairo Definition to rejoice with NASB Word Usage rejoice
(3),rejoices (1), rejoicing (1), share...joy (2). rejoice with....
5463. chairo -- to rejoice, be glad
... 1), glad (7), gladly (1), greeted* (1), greeting (2), greetings (4), hail (4), joyfully
(1), make (1), rejoice (33), rejoiced (8),rejoices (2), rejoicing (10...
Strong's Hebrew
1523. gil -- to rejoice... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to rejoice NASB Word Usage cry (1), exult
(1), glad (3), rejoice (38), rejoiced (1),
rejoices (1).
...8056. sameach -- glad, joyful, merry
... glad, joyful, merry NASB Word Usage glad (2), joyful (5), joyfully (1), merry-hearted*
(1), pleased (1), rejoice (3), rejoiced (2),rejoices (1), rejoicing (4...
7797. sus -- to exult, rejoice
... root Definition to exult, rejoice NASB Word Usage delight (1), delighted (1), exult
(3), glad (5), rejoice (9), rejoice greatly (1), rejoiced (2),rejoices (3...
5938. alez -- exultant, jubilant
... Word Origin from alaz Definition exultant, jubilant NASB Word Usage jubilant (1).
thatrejoices. From alaz; exultant -- that rejoiceth. see HEBREW alaz....
4885. masos -- exultation, rejoicing
... from sus Definition exultation, rejoicing NASB Word Usage delight (1), exceedingly
(1), gaiety (4), gladness (1), joy (7), joyful (1), rejoice (1),rejoices (1...
8055. samach -- rejoice, be glad
... makes it glad (1), makes...glad (1), makes...merry (1), merry (1), pleased* (1),
rejoice (48), rejoiced (17), rejoiced had given (1),rejoices (4), rejoicing (1...
5970. alats -- to rejoice, exult
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to rejoice, exult NASB Word Usage exult (5),
exults (1),rejoices (1), triumph (1). be joyful, rejoice, triumph....
Library
BethlehemRejoices,
... Bethlehemrejoices,. tr., John Brownlie 6,5,6,5 D. Doxa en hupsistois theo. By St.
John of Damascus, 780 AD. I. Bethlehemrejoices,. Hark the voices clear,....
Christmas. All My Heart this NightRejoices
... CHRISTMAS. All my heart this nightrejoices. [48]1. All my heart this nightrejoices
[49]2. Thou fairest Child Divine [50]3. O blessed Jesus! This....
The Pious Old ManRejoices that He Read Plato and the Scriptures...
... Chapter II."The Pious Old ManRejoices that He Read Plato and the Scriptures, and
Tells Him of the Rhetorician Victorinus Having Been Converted to the Faith...
HeRejoices that He Proceeded from Plato to the Holy Scriptures...
... Book VII. Chapter XX."HeRejoices that He Proceeded from Plato to the
Holy Scriptures, and Not the Reverse. 26. But having then...
All My Heart this NightRejoices
... VII. CAROLS Carols 545. All my heart this nightrejoices. 8.3.3.6.D. [2132]Ebeling:...
Tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1861. All my heart this nightrejoices,. As I hear,....
He Declares That, Having Witnessed the Fall of the Persecutors, He...
... Book IV. Chapter XII."He declares that, having witnessed the Fall of the Persecutors,
he nowrejoices at the Peace enjoyed by the Christians....
Psalm 50:6. To the Old Proper Tune. The Last Judgment.
... From east to west the sov'reign orders spread, Thro' distant worlds, and regions
of the dead: The trumpet sounds; hell trembles; heavenrejoices; Lift up your...
Psalm 50 the Last Judgment.
... The trumpet sounds; hell trembles; heav'nrejoices. Lift up your heads, ye saints,
with cheerful voices.... And raise your heads, ye saints, for heav'nrejoices....
Whether the Blessed Rejoice in the Punishment of the Wicked?
... ways. First directly, when onerejoices in a thing as such: and thus the
saints will not rejoice in the punishment of the wicked....
The Summer Day
... I rest my heart on Thee. All, all that buds, and blossoms, andrejoices,.... Told forth
in leaf and blade. All, all that buds, and blossoms, andrejoices,....
Thesaurus
Rejoices (30 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Rejoices (30 Occurrences).
... 1 Corinthians 13:6 doesn't rejoice
in unrighteousness, but
rejoices with the truth; (WEB DBY NAS RSV NIV).
...Exults (8 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Job 39:21 He paws in the valley, andrejoices in his strength.... The kingrejoices
in your strength, Yahweh! How greatly herejoices in your salvation!...
Rejoice (259 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:13 If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, herejoices over it
more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray....
Victories (5 Occurrences)
... Psalms 21:1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. The kingrejoices in your
strength, Yahweh! How greatly herejoices in your salvation! (See NIV)....
Rejoicer (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One whorejoices. Multi-Version Concordance
Rejoicer (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 64:5 Thou hast met with...
Bridegroom (23 Occurrences)
... John 3:29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom,
who stands and hears him,rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice...
Choirmaster (55 Occurrences)
... Psalms 21:1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. The kingrejoices in your
strength, Yahweh! How greatly herejoices in your salvation! (See RSV)....
Bride (31 Occurrences)
... John 3:29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom,
who stands and hears him,rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice...
Musician (112 Occurrences)
... Psalms 21:1 For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David. The kingrejoices in your
strength, Yahweh! How greatly herejoices in your salvation! (WEB DBY WBS)....
Trusted (82 Occurrences)
... Therefore my heart greatlyrejoices. With my song I will thank him.... Psalms 33:21
For our heartrejoices in him, because we have trusted in his holy name....
Resources
What does it mean that love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about sadness? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about the virgin Mary? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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