In the context of the Bible, the concept of a "joke" or humor is not extensively covered, yet there are instances and principles that can be drawn from Scripture regarding laughter, joy, and the use of words. The Bible acknowledges the human experience of joy and laughter, while also providing guidance on the appropriate use of speech.

Biblical References to Laughter and Joy:

1. Ecclesiastes 3:4 · "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." This verse acknowledges that laughter is a natural and appropriate part of the human experience, ordained by God as part of the seasons of life.

2. Proverbs 17:22 · "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." This proverb highlights the positive effects of joy and, by extension, laughter, on a person's well-being.

3. Psalm 126:2 · "Then our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, 'The LORD has done great things for them.'" Here, laughter is a response to God's blessings and deliverance, reflecting a heart of gratitude and joy.

Caution in Speech:

While the Bible acknowledges laughter and joy, it also provides guidance on the use of words, cautioning against coarse jesting and inappropriate humor.

1. Ephesians 5:4 · "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving." This verse warns against humor that is inappropriate or offensive, emphasizing that speech should be edifying and reflect a heart of gratitude.

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 warns against using jokes as a cover for deceit or harm, highlighting the potential for words to cause damage.

Jesus and Humor:

While the Gospels do not explicitly record Jesus telling jokes, His teachings often employed irony, hyperbole, and parables that engaged listeners in thought-provoking ways. For example, in Matthew 7:3-5, Jesus uses hyperbole to illustrate the hypocrisy of judging others while ignoring one's own faults: "Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?"

Cultural Context:

In biblical times, humor and jesting were part of the cultural fabric, much like today. However, the biblical emphasis remains on the heart and intent behind words. Humor that uplifts, encourages, and reflects the joy of the Lord aligns with biblical principles, while humor that degrades or harms is discouraged.

Summary:

The Bible presents a balanced view of humor, recognizing the value of laughter and joy while cautioning against speech that is harmful or inappropriate. Believers are encouraged to use their words wisely, ensuring that their humor aligns with the character and teachings of Christ.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 witticism; as, to crack good-natured jokes.

2. (n.) Something not said seriously, or not actually meant; something done in sport.

3. (v. t.) To make merry with; to make jokes upon; to rally; to banter; as, to joke a comrade.

4. (v. i.) To do something for sport, or as a joke; to be merry in words or actions; to jest.

5512. chleuazo -- to jest, mock, jeer
... 5512 (from , "a joke") -- properly, to joke (jest), ie to scoff (ridicule)
using barbed humor and mocking jeers (used only in Ac 17:32). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5512.htm - 6k7814. sechoq -- laughter, derision, sport
... Word Origin from sachaq Definition laughter, derision, sport NASB Word Usage enjoyment
(1), joke (2), laughingstock (5), laughter (6), sport (1). ...
/hebrew/7814.htm - 6k

Ep. xxvii. You Make a Joke of It; but I Know the Danger of an ...
... Division III. Miscellaneous Letters. Ep. XXVII. You make a joke of it;
but I know the danger of an Ozizalean starving? You make ...
/.../cyril/select letters of saint gregory nazianzen/ep xxvii you make a.htm

There is a Popular Philosophical Joke Intended to Typify the ...
... Chapter 2 There is a popular philosophical joke intended to typify the endless
and useless arguments of? There is a popular philosophical ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 2 there is a.htm

On Mr. Mccabe and a Divine Frivolity
... If a joke is not a joke about religion or morals, it is a joke about police-magistrates
or scientific professors or undergraduates dressed up as Queen Victoria ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xvi on mr mccabe and.htm

The Adventures of Saint Patrick of Ireland.
... A joke's a joke all the world over; but if you souse me head over ears in that pool,
and drown me entirely, it will be a very bad one to my taste now." The more ...
/.../kingston/the seven champions of christendom/chapter nine the adventures of.htm

When I Wrote a Little Volume on My Friend Mr. ...
... I was not withheld by any feeling that the joke was getting a little obvious; for
an obvious joke is only a successful joke; it is only the unsuccessful clowns ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 28 when i wrote.htm

Orthodoxy i. Introduction in Defence of Everything Else
... sentiments to all the jolly people who hate what I write, and regard it (very justly,
for all I know), as a piece of poor clowning or a single tiresome joke. ...
/.../chesterton/orthodoxy/orthodoxy i introduction in defence.htm

Now this Masculine Love of an Open and Level Camaraderie is the ...
... They thought it was a joke. Why they should think it a joke, since they
want to make all houses public houses, I cannot imagine. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 14 now this masculine.htm

To Brother Raimondo of Capua of the Order of the Preachers
... [Footnote: As she herself expresses it, "The Eternal Bridegroom played a great joke
on me."] There is an almost childlike simplicity in her account of the ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to brother raimondo of capua 4.htm

George Buchanan, Scholar
... But the king, who loved a joke, demanded something sharp and stinging, and Buchanan
obeyed by writing, but not publishing, "The Franciscans," a long satire ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/george buchanan scholar.htm

On Mr. Rudyard Kipling and Making the World Small
... We may jump upon a child's rocking-horse for a joke. But we are glad that the
carpenter did not leave the legs of it unglued for a joke. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/iii on mr rudyard kipling.htm

Joke (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (vt) To make merry with; to make jokes upon; to rally; to banter; as, to
joke a comrade. ... Multi-Version Concordance Joke (1 Occurrence). ...
/j/joke.htm - 7k

Jest (1 Occurrence)
... 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. ...
/j/jest.htm - 7k

Mere (56 Occurrences)
... (See JPS RSV). Job 12:4 I am like one who is a joke to his neighbor, I, who called
on God, and he answered. The just, the blameless man is a joke. (See NIV). ...
/m/mere.htm - 22k

Blameless (81 Occurrences)
... (WEB RSV NIV). Job 12:4 I am like one who is a joke to his neighbor, I, who called
on God, and he answered. The just, the blameless man is a joke. ...
/b/blameless.htm - 27k

Neighbor (123 Occurrences)
... Job 12:4 I am like one who is a joke to his neighbor, I, who called on God, and
he answered. The just, the blameless man is a joke. (WEB ASV WBS). ...
/n/neighbor.htm - 41k

Jok'de-am (1 Occurrence)
Jok'de-am. Jokdeam, Jok'de-am. Joke . Multi-Version Concordance ... Joshua 15:56
and Jezreel, and Jokdeam, and Zanoah; (See RSV). Jokdeam, Jok'de-am. Joke ...
/j/jok'de-am.htm - 6k

Jokim (1 Occurrence)

/j/jokim.htm - 7k

Take (11064 Occurrences)
... 17. (vt) To bear without ill humor or resentment; to submit to; to tolerate; to
endure; as, to take a joke; he will take an affront from no man. 18. ...
/t/take.htm - 15k

Rub (1 Occurrence)
... (n.) Inequality of surface, as of the ground in the game of bowls; unevenness. 13.
(n.) Something grating to the feelings; sarcasm; joke; as, a hard rub. 14. ...
/r/rub.htm - 8k

Dor (7 Occurrences)
... Called also dorr, dorbeetle, or dorrbeetle, dorbug, dorrfly, and buzzard clock.
2. (n.) A trick, joke, or deception. 3. (vt) To make a fool of; to deceive. ...
/d/dor.htm - 13k

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