Laughter in the Bible is a pretty ambiguous concept. Depending on the lens through which you’re looking, you may have a tendency to focus on one type of laughter or the other. But the Bible says that, like so many things, laughter is a multifaceted topic, and its meaning has nuance depending on the situation.
So many of the more serious types would have a person believe that laughter isn’t holy. But scripture provides examples to the contrary. On the other hand, some may see laughter only as a thing of joy, when, in fact, that’s not always the case.
The important thing to remember when looking at instances of laughter in the Bible is something that a lot of people have a hard time with: context. It’s always about context and the meaning the situation brings to the laughter.
Where We Find Laughter in the Bible
Instances of laughter can be found throughout both the Old Testament and the New Testament. And, as mentioned, each situation is unique in the meaning that the laughter brings. Following are some examples, and you’ll see just how different some of them can be.
Laughter in the Old Testament
In the Old Testament, there are a few memorable instances of laughter that convey joy or incredulousness. In other instances, the laughter marks bitterness or mocking.
- Genesis 21:6: Now Sarah said, “God has brought laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh with me.”
- Job 22:19: The righteous see it and are glad; the innocent laugh them to scorn
- Habakkuk 1:10: At kings they scoff, and of rulers they make sport. They laugh at every fortress and heap up earth to take it.
This laughter demonstrates everything from Sarah’s joyful heart at the birth of Isaac in her old age to a sign of derision and disrespect.
Laughter in the Psalms
Laughter in the Psalms is also unique in its multifaceted meaning. On one hand, there’s laughter in joy and restoration, and on the other, it’s shown as God’s response to the wicked. Let’s take a look at a few examples of both of these instances.
- Psalms 126:2: Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with shouts of joy; then it was said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”
- Psalms 80:6: You make us the scorn of our neighbors; our enemies laugh among themselves.
- Psalms 59:8: But you laugh at them, O LORD; you hold all the nations in derision.
And while they don’t specifically mention laughter, there are a great number more Psalms about joy and celebration that would imply laughter:
- Psalm 30:11: “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.”
- Psalm 96:12: “Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy.”
- Psalm 98:4: “Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!”
Proverbs About Laughter
While all of the following proverbs don’t specifically mention laughter, there are themes to suggest it, and we can easily see the dual meaning that laughter can bring. There’s the laughter of the fool but also the laughter of joy at God’s love and God’s plan.
- Proverbs 17:22 – A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.
- Proverbs 15:13 – A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.
- Proverbs 31:25 – Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
These examples show that cheerfulness, gladness, and laughter can be a good thing. On the other hand, here are some examples of the opposite:
- Proverbs 1:26 – I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when panic strikes you,
- Proverbs 19:29 – Punishments are prepared for scoffers and flogging for the backs of fools.
- Proverbs 29:9 – If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether the fool rages or laughs, there is no peace.
Laughter in the New Testament
The New Testament contains a couple of very notable instances of laughter. There’s the very popular mention of it in Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 that you may be familiar with:
1 For everything there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven:
2 a time to be born and a time to die;
a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted;
3a time to kill and a time to heal;
a time to break down and a time to build up;
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn and a time to dance;
If you’ve ever seen the classic movie Footloose, you probably know this one by heart.
Additionally, Jesus talks about laughter in Luke 6 and covers both ways that laughter may show up. The first being a fullness of joy, felt by those who previously knew only struggle:
Luke 6:21: “Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.
But just a few lines later, he shares what will happen to those who are rich and full of the kind of laughter that indicates a scornful response to the poor and suffering:
Luke 6:25: “Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. “Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep.
Jesus was popularly not in favor of the rich, who were having a grand, old time while others suffered. This passage as a whole demonstrates not only that, but the diverging meanings of laughter that are found in scripture.
What Do the Examples of Laughter in the Bible Mean?
So what does all of this mean, then? Is it that we should fear laughter out of the potential for scorn? Or should we celebrate laughter at every turn? Again…it’s about something that a lot of people have a hard time with: context.
How can we understand context? Sharon McMahon has a great piece about context in her newsletter, The Preamble. I particularly loved her breakdown of all of the things that influence context. It reads, “...let’s slow down and look at what context actually is.
- The line itself: the words chosen.
- The conversation: what came before and after.
- The setting: the event, audience, or medium.
- The history: what led the speaker to this place.
- The consequences: how those words were received and used.
Each one adds meaning. Leave any of them out, and you don’t have the whole picture.”
And that’s what we should ALWAYS look at when reading the Bible, but particularly when examining Bible verses about laughter. (Trust me, even in my research for this post, I found some that listed verses WAY out of context.)
And when it comes to laughter, it can mean everything from scorn, disbelief, mockery, joy, irony, or even worship. And all of them are correct.
The Context that Changes Laughter in the Bible
There are plenty who would have others believe that Christianity, God, and worship should always be solemn and reverent. And of course, there are times for solemnity. But even as just mentioned, the Bible, itself, says that that’s not always the case.
There are several instances where the laughter happening in the Bible changes meanings, given the context, based on the guidelines above.
- Laughter often features in stories of reversals: What was broken becomes joyful; promise fulfilled, mourning ends, etc.
- It can indicate disbelief and irony that turns to joy: In several key biblical examples, laughter starts out from shock, doubt, or irony and ends in joy or fulfillment. Sarah is a go-to example: she laughs because the promise seems impossible, and later it’s fulfilled.
- Laughter as a gift from God: A sign of joy, restoration, blessing. For example, the story of Sarah laughing at God’s promise (Genesis) is often used to show both humor and the miraculous. Additionally, there are so many instances of laughter being framed as a joyous gift from God in the Proverbs.
Again, context is everything. By learning to discern the line, conversation, setting, history, and consequences, we get a clearer picture of what the laughter in the Bible represents.
Times When Laughter in the Bible Urges Caution
As with every good thing, laughter can have its downsides. It can be used for mockery, scorn, laughter in the context of injustice, or laughter that ignores reality. Sometimes, it’s a sign of foolishness. And those who would like a solemn, authoritarian practice focus only on these.
Without a doubt, discernment when it comes to laughter is important. It can be all too easy to laugh at an inappropriate moment and cause harm, embarrassment, or shame. Realizing the appointed time for types of laughter will make all the difference.
In instances where there is human folly, rebellion, pride, or derision, you’ll read of God laughing. Of course, this is not the good kind, either. The word of God shows examples where God laughs at humans for their foolishness, and generally, great things don’t come afterward. All of this to say, when reading the Bible, or interacting with one another, it’s so important to consider the moment, and use wisdom when it comes to laughter.
Physiological Effects of Laughter
But why does all of this matter? Why take such a close look at laughter?
Well, as is part of God’s perfect design, laughter has some pretty incredible physiological effects on human beings. Sure, it’s a great way to experience divine joy, but it also helps reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve immune response. (Source: Mayo Clinic)
When a person laughs with joy, it’s not just a one-off moment. Holy laughter creates not just a glad heart, but also heals your heart physically. It strengthens your body and provides relief in challenging times.
Proverbs 17:22 provides the following observation: “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.” I feel like instances like this, where we can see science and God intersect, are proof that God has a great sense of humor.
How We Can Embody the Positive Laughter in the Bible
Throughout Scripture, laughter reminds us that joy and reverence can coexist. From Sarah’s laugh at the story of Abraham to the songs of joy in the Psalms, the Holy Bible paints laughter as both a mirror of human emotion and a reflection of the presence of God. While the house of mourning teaches wisdom and humility, a merry heart reminds us to celebrate the good news of great joy that Jesus Christ brought into the world.
Moreover, when we laugh with gratitude, we align with the Holy Spirit, letting the fruit of the Spirit shape our outlook and relationships. True joy does not ignore pain. It transforms it. Even King David, who knew sorrow deeply, sang with a vindication shout, showing that laughter can be a form of worship and faith in the power of God.
So, as we move through the Christian life, may we practice holy laughter with intention. Let it be a prayer of gratitude, a release of tension, and a reminder that the God of hope delights in our joy. When we embody divine laughter, we open our hearts to God’s blessings, carrying light into dark places and walking the path of life with renewed spiritual growth.