In the context of the Bible, the concept of jesting is often associated with speech that is frivolous, irreverent, or inappropriate. The Bible provides guidance on the use of language, emphasizing the importance of words that edify and build up rather than those that are idle or harmful.

Biblical References:

1. Ephesians 5:4 : "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving." This verse explicitly warns against engaging in crude joking or jesting. The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, highlights that such behavior is not fitting for believers. Instead, he encourages speech that is characterized by gratitude and edification.

2. Proverbs 26:18-19 : "Like a madman shooting firebrands and deadly arrows, so is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, 'I was only joking!'" This proverb illustrates the potential harm that can come from jesting, especially when it involves deceit or insensitivity. The imagery of a madman with dangerous weapons underscores the seriousness of using humor in a way that can hurt others.

3. Ecclesiastes 7:6 : "For like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This too is futile." Here, the Preacher reflects on the emptiness of foolish laughter, comparing it to the fleeting and ineffective crackling of thorns. This suggests that jesting, when devoid of wisdom and purpose, is ultimately meaningless.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, jesting is often viewed as contrary to the call for Christians to live lives marked by holiness and integrity. The Bible encourages believers to be mindful of their words, recognizing that speech is a powerful tool that can either uplift or harm. Jesting, particularly when it involves crude or foolish talk, is seen as inconsistent with the character of a follower of Christ.

Practical Considerations:

In practical terms, Christians are encouraged to exercise discernment in their use of humor. While laughter and joy are gifts from God, they should not come at the expense of others' dignity or well-being. Believers are called to reflect the love and grace of Christ in all aspects of life, including their speech. This involves avoiding jesting that is coarse, disrespectful, or misleading.

Cultural Context:

In the cultural context of the biblical world, jesting could often be associated with mockery or scorn, which were considered socially disruptive and morally questionable. The biblical admonitions against jesting reflect a broader concern for maintaining community harmony and personal integrity.

Overall, the biblical perspective on jesting underscores the importance of using language that aligns with the values of the Kingdom of God, promoting peace, respect, and edification among individuals and communities.1. (n.) A deed; an action.

2. (n.) A mask; a pageant; an interlude.

3. (n.) Something done or said in order to amuse; a joke; a witticism; a jocose or sportive remark or phrase.

4. (n.) The object of laughter or sport; a laughingstock.

5. (v. i.) To take part in a merrymaking; -- especially, to act in a mask or interlude.

6. (v. i.) To make merriment by words or actions; to joke; to make light of anything.

5512. chleuazo -- to jest, mock, jeer
... to jest, mock, jeer. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: chleuazo Phonetic Spelling:
(khlyoo-ad'-zo) Short Definition: I mock, scoff Definition: I mock, scoff ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5512.htm - 6k3931. laab -- to jest
... laab. 3932 . to jest. Transliteration: laab Phonetic Spelling: (law-ab') Short
Definition: mocked. ... root Definition to jest NASB Word Usage mocked (1). mock. ...
/hebrew/3931.htm - 5k

6026. anog -- to be soft, delicate, dainty
... root Definition to be soft, delicate, dainty NASB Word Usage dainty (1), delicateness
(1), delight (4), delighted (1), jest (1), take delight (2). ...
/hebrew/6026.htm - 6k

But as Celsus Makes a Jest Also of the Serpent...
... Chapter XXXIX. But as Celsus makes a jest also of the serpent? But as
Celsus makes a jest also of the serpent, as counteracting ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxxix but as celsus.htm

How Brother Masseo Told St Francis, as in Jest, that the World was ...
... HERE BEGIN THE LITTLE FLOWERS OF SAINT FRANCIS OF ASSISI CHAPTER X HOW BROTHER MASSEO
TOLD ST FRANCIS, AS IN JEST, THAT THE WORLD WAS GONE AFTER HIM; AND HOW ...
/.../the little flowers of st francis of assisi/chapter x how brother masseo.htm

Whether Derision Can be a Mortal Sin?
... But derision does not seem contrary to charity, for sometimes it takes place in
jest among friends, wherefore it is known as "making fun." Therefore derision ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether derision can be a.htm

An Appeal to Sinners
... He is the man who "receiveth sinners." Many a true word has been spoken
in jest, and many a true word has been spoken in slander. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/an appeal to sinners.htm

Introduction.
... "But who are you, most excellent man?" So I replied to him in jest. [1950]. ... [1950]
In jest, no doubt, because quoting a line from Homer, Il., vi. 123. ...
/.../chapter i introduction.htm

In those Years when I First Began to Teach Rhetoric in My Native ...
... soon as I could speak with him (and I could, so soon as he was able, for I never
left him, and we hung but too much upon each other), I essayed to jest with him ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter iv in those years.htm

Petilianus Said: "If You Declare that You Hold the Catholic Church ...
... you were to say that I was Petilianus, I should not be able to find any method of
refuting you unless I were to laugh at you as being in jest, or mourn over ...
/.../chapter 38 90 petilianus.htm

Sorely Distressed by Weeping at the Death of his Friend, He ...
... as soon as I could talk to him (which I could as soon as he was able, for I never
left him, and we hung too much upon each other), I attempted to jest with him ...
/.../the confessions and letters of st/chapter iv sorely distressed by weeping.htm

Whether Derision is a Special Sin Distinct from those Already ...
... On the contrary, Derision is done in jest, wherefore it is described as "making
fun." Now all the foregoing are done seriously and not in jest. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether derision is a special.htm

The Doomed Three
... Let me go away,' said Eutyches to Walamir. This grim jest is cruel.'. ... Yes,
Thorismund,' said Philip, but it was a grim and cruel jest.'. ...
/.../chapter xxxi the doomed three.htm

Jest (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Jest (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 57:4 Of whom do you make sport?
against whom is your mouth open wide and your tongue put out? ...
/j/jest.htm - 7k

Joke (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) Something said for the sake of exciting a laugh; something witty or sportive
(commonly indicating more of hilarity or humor than jest); a jest; a ...
/j/joke.htm - 7k

Jesting (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Jest. 2. (a.) Sportive; not serious; fit for jests. 3.
(n.) The act or practice of making jests; joking; pleasantry. Int. ...
/j/jesting.htm - 7k

Jesse's (4 Occurrences)

/j/jesse's.htm - 7k

Jeer (2 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A railing remark or reflection; a scoff; a taunt; a biting jest; a flout;
a jibe; mockery. Multi-Version Concordance Jeer (2 Occurrences). ...
/j/jeer.htm - 7k

Jested (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Jest. Multi-Version Concordance
Jested (1 Occurrence). Genesis 19:14 And Lot went out, and ...
/j/jested.htm - 6k

Game (11 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Crooked; lame; as, a game leg. 2. (vi)
Sport of any kind; jest, frolic. 3. (n.) A contest, physical ...
/g/game.htm - 10k

Gird (44 Occurrences)
... 3. (v.) To strike; to smite. 4. (v.) To sneer at; to mock; to gibe. 5. (vi) To gibe;
to sneer; to break a scornful jest; to utter severe sarcasms. ...
/g/gird.htm - 20k

Isaac (127 Occurrences)
... In Hebrew both tsachaq and sachaq have their cognate nouns, and signify, in the
simple stem, "to laugh," in the intensive stem, "to jest, play, dance, fondle ...
/i/isaac.htm - 60k

Merry (38 Occurrences)
... 2. (superl.) Cheerful; joyous; not sad; happy. 3. (superl.) Causing laughter, mirth,
gladness, or delight; as, / merry jest. 4. (n.) A kind of wild red cherry. ...
/m/merry.htm - 18k

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