16 Bible Verses About Humor and Laughter

A joyful heart, a heart that may ache, and a time to laugh

Proverbs 17:22

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

KJV

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

WEB

A cheerful heart makes good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

From Proverbs, in the collection that the book calls the proverbs of Solomon.

Context (BSB)

Proverbs 17:21

A man fathers a fool to his own grief; the father of a fool has no joy.

Proverbs 17:23

A wicked man takes a covert bribe to subvert the course of justice.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

לֵ֣ב

H3820A

lev

H:N-M

heart

שָׂ֭מֵחַ

H8056

Sa.me.ach

H:A

glad

יֵיטִ֣ב

H3190

yei.Tiv

H:V

be good

גֵּהָ֑ה

H1456

ge.Hah

H:N-F

cure

וְ/ר֥וּחַ

H7307G

ve./Ru.ach

H:N-F

spirit

נְ֝כֵאָ֗ה

H5218B

ne.khe.'Ah

H:A

stricken

תְּיַבֶּשׁ\־

H3001

te.ya.besh-

H:V

to wither

גָּֽרֶם\׃

H1634

Ga.rem

H:N-M

bone

Ecclesiastes 3:4

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

KJV

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

WEB

a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

From Ecclesiastes, whose words the book attributes to the Teacher, in a passage about a time for every purpose under heaven.

Context (BSB)

Ecclesiastes 3:3

a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to break down and a time to build,

Ecclesiastes 3:5

a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,

Interlinear (Strong’s)

עֵ֤ת

H6256

'et

H:N

time

לִ/בְכּוֹת֙

H1058

li/v.kOt

H:V

to weep

וְ/עֵ֣ת

H6256

ve./'Et

H:N

time

לִ/שְׂח֔וֹק

H7832

li/s.Chok

H:V

to laugh

עֵ֥ת

H6256

'et

H:N

time

סְפ֖וֹד

H5594

se.Fod

H:V

to mourn

וְ/עֵ֥ת

H6256

ve./'Et

H:N

time

רְקֽוֹד\׃

H7540

re.Kod

H:V

to skip about

Proverbs 14:13

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.

KJV

Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.

WEB

Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful, and mirth may end in heaviness.

From Proverbs, in the collection that the book calls the proverbs of Solomon.

Context (BSB)

Proverbs 14:12

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

Proverbs 14:14

The backslider in heart receives the fill of his own ways, but a good man is rewarded for his ways.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

גַּם\־

H1571

gam-

H:Conj

also

בִּ/שְׂח֥וֹק

H7814

bi/s.Chok

H:N-M

laughter

יִכְאַב\־

H3510

yikh.'av-

H:V

to pain

לֵ֑ב

H3820A

Lev

H:N-M

heart

וְ/אַחֲרִיתָ֖/הּ

H0319

ve./'a.cha.ri.Ta/h

H:N-F

end

שִׂמְחָ֣ה

H8057

sim.Chah

H:N-F

joy

תוּגָֽה\׃

H8424

tu.Gah

H:N-F

grief

Proverbs 15:13

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.

KJV

A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

WEB

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but an aching heart breaks the spirit.

From Proverbs, in the collection that the book calls the proverbs of Solomon.

Context (BSB)

Proverbs 15:12

A mocker does not love to be reproved, nor will he consult the wise.

Proverbs 15:14

A discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

לֵ֣ב

H3820A

lev

H:N-M

heart

שָׂ֭מֵחַ

H8056

Sa.me.ach

H:A

glad

יֵיטִ֣ב

H3190

yei.Tiv

H:V

be good

פָּנִ֑ים

H6440H

pa.Nim

H:N-M

face

וּ/בְ/עַצְּבַת\־

H6094

u./ve./'a.tze.vat-

H:N-F

injury

לֵ֝ב

H3820A

lev

H:N-M

heart

ר֣וּחַ

H7307G

Ru.ach

H:N-F

spirit

נְכֵאָֽה\׃

H5218B

ne.khe.'Ah

H:A

stricken

Mouths filled with laughter, and laughter to come

Job 8:21

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with a shout of joy.

KJV

Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.

WEB

He will still fill your mouth with laughter, your lips with shouting.

From the book of Job; Bildad the Shuhite is speaking to Job.

Context (BSB)

Job 8:20

Behold, God does not reject the blameless, nor will He strengthen the hand of evildoers.

Job 8:22

Your enemies will be clothed in shame, and the tent of the wicked will be no more.”

Interlinear (Strong’s)

עַד\־

H5704

'ad-

H:Prep

till

יְמַלֵּ֣ה

H4390

ye.ma.Leh

H:V

to fill

שְׂח֣וֹק

H7814

se.Chok

H:N-M

laughter

פִּ֑י/ךָ

H6310G

Pi./kha

H:N-M

lip

וּ/שְׂפָתֶ֥י/ךָ

H8193G

u./se.fa.Tei./kha

H:N-F

lips

תְרוּעָֽה\׃

H8643

te.ru.'Ah

H:N-F

shout

Psalm 126:2

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

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.”

KJV

Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.

WEB

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The LORD has done great things for them.”

From a psalm whose heading calls it a song of ascents.

Context (BSB)

Psalm 126:1

A song of ascents. When the LORD restored the captives of Zion, we were like dreamers.

Psalm 126:3

The LORD has done great things for us; we are filled with joy.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

אָ֤ז

H0227A

'az

H:Conj

then

יִמָּלֵ֪א

H4390

yi.ma.Le'

H:V

to fill

שְׂח֡וֹק

H7814

se.Chok

H:N-M

laughter

פִּי/נוּ֮

H6310G

pi./Nu

H:N-M

lip

וּ/לְשׁוֹנֵ֪/נוּ

H3956G

u./le.sho.Ne./nu

H:N

tongue

רִ֫נָּ֥ה

H7440

ri.Nah

H:N-F

cry

אָ֭ז

H0227A

'az

H:Conj

then

יֹאמְר֣וּ

H0559

yo.me.Ru

H:V

to say

בַ/גּוֹיִ֑ם

H1471A

va./go.Yim

H:N-M

nation

הִגְדִּ֥יל

H1431

hig.Dil

H:V

to magnify

יְ֝הוָ֗ה

H3068G

Yah.weh

N:N--T

LORD

לַ/עֲשׂ֥וֹת

H6213A

la./'a.Sot

H:V

to make: do

עִם\־

H5973A

'im-

H:Prep

with

אֵֽלֶּה\׃

H0428

'E.leh

H:DemP

these

Genesis 21:6

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

Then Sarah said, “God has made me laugh, and everyone who hears of this will laugh with me.”

KJV

And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.

WEB

Sarah said, “God has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me.”

In Genesis, Sarah speaking after the birth of her son Isaac, born to Abraham in his old age.

Context (BSB)

Genesis 21:5

Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born to him.

Genesis 21:7

She added, “Who would have told Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.”

Interlinear (Strong’s)

וַ/תֹּ֣אמֶר

H0559

va./To.mer

H:V

to say

שָׂרָ֔ה

H8283

sa.Rah

N:N-F-P

Sarah

צְחֹ֕ק

H6712

tze.Chok

H:N-M

laughter

עָ֥שָׂה

H6213H

'A.sah

H:V

to make

לִ֖/י

H9030

l/i

Os1c

me

אֱלֹהִ֑ים

H0430G

'E.lo.Him

H:N-M

God

כָּל\־

H3605

kol-

H:N-M

all

הַ/שֹּׁמֵ֖עַ

H8085G

ha./sho.Me.a'

H:V

to hear: hear

יִֽצְחַק\־

H6711

yitz.chak-

H:V

to laugh

לִֽ/י\׃

H9030

L/i

Os1c

me

Luke 6:21

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

KJV

Blessed are ye that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh.

WEB

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh.

Jesus in the Gospel of Luke, looking up at His disciples, with a large crowd present.

Context (BSB)

Luke 6:20

Looking up at His disciples, Jesus said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God.

Luke 6:22

Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil because of the Son of Man.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

Μακάριοι

G3107

Makarioi

G:A

blessed

οἱ

G3588

hoi

G:T

the/this/who

πεινῶντες

G3983

peinōntes

G:V

to hunger

νῦν,

G3568

nun

G:ADV

now

ὅτι

G3754H

hoti

G:CONJ

that/since: since

χορτασθήσεσθε.¶

G5526

chortasthēsesthe

G:V

to feed

Μακάριοι

G3107

Makarioi

G:A

blessed

οἱ

G3588

hoi

G:T

the/this/who

κλαίοντες

G2799

klaiontes

G:V

to weep

νῦν,

G3568

nun

G:ADV

now

ὅτι

G3754H

hoti

G:CONJ

that/since: since

γελάσετε.¶

G1070

gelasete

G:V

to laugh

The Lord who laughs

Psalm 2:4

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord taunts them.

KJV

He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

WEB

He who sits in the heavens will laugh. The Lord will have them in derision.

From a psalm with no heading, about the kings of the earth who take their stand against the LORD and His Anointed One.

Context (BSB)

Psalm 2:3

“Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.”

Psalm 2:5

Then He rebukes them in His anger, and terrifies them in His fury:

Interlinear (Strong’s)

יוֹשֵׁ֣ב

H3427

yo.Shev

H:V

to dwell

בַּ/שָּׁמַ֣יִם

H8064

ba./sha.Ma.yim

H:N-M

heaven

יִשְׂחָ֑ק

H7832

yis.Chak

H:V

to laugh

אֲ֝דֹנָ֗י

H0136

'a.do.Nai

H:N-M

Lord

יִלְעַג\־

H3932

yil.'ag-

H:V

to mock

לָֽ/מוֹ\׃

H9038

la./mo

Op3m

them

Psalm 37:13

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

but the Lord laughs, seeing that their day is coming.

KJV

The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming.

WEB

The Lord will laugh at him, for he sees that his day is coming.

From a psalm whose heading attributes it to David; the verse before speaks of the wicked who scheme against the righteous.

Context (BSB)

Psalm 37:12

The wicked scheme against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them,

Psalm 37:14

The wicked have drawn the sword and bent the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

אֲדֹנָ֥י

H0136

'a.do.Nai

H:N-M

Lord

יִשְׂחַק\־

H7832

yis.chak-

H:V

to laugh

ל֑/וֹ

H9033

l/o

Os3m

him

כִּֽי\־

H3588A

ki-

H:Conj

for

רָ֝אָ֗ה

H7200G

ra.'Ah

H:V

to see: see

כִּֽי\־

H3588A

ki-

H:Conj

for

יָבֹ֥א

H0935G

ya.Vo'

H:V

to come (in): come

יוֹמֽ/וֹ\׃

H3117G

yo.M/o

H:N-M

day

Joy and rejoicing

Psalm 4:7

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

You have filled my heart with more joy than when grain and new wine abound.

KJV

Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased.

WEB

You have put gladness in my heart, more than when their grain and their new wine are increased.

From a psalm whose heading attributes it to David.

Context (BSB)

Psalm 4:6

Many ask, “Who can show us the good?” Shine the light of Your face upon us, O LORD.

Psalm 4:8

I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 16:11

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.

KJV

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

WEB

You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.

From a psalm whose heading attributes it to David; it is the last verse of the psalm.

Context (BSB)

Psalm 16:10

For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol, nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.

Psalm 17:1

A prayer of David. Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer—it comes from lips free of deceit.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

תּֽוֹדִיעֵ/נִי֮

H3045

to.di.'e./Ni

H:V

to know

אֹ֤רַח

H0734

'O.rach

H:N-M

way

חַ֫יִּ֥ים

H2416E

chai.Yim

H:N-M

life

שֹׂ֣בַע

H7648

Soa'

H:N-M

satiety

שְׂ֭מָחוֹת

H8057

Se.ma.chot

H:N-F

joy

אֶת\־

H0854

'et-

H:Prep

with

פָּנֶ֑י/ךָ

H6440H

pa.Nei./kha

H:N-M

face

נְעִמ֖וֹת

H5273A

ne.'i.Mot

H:A

pleasant

בִּ/ימִינְ/ךָ֣

H3225G

bi./mi.ne./Kha

H:N-F

right

נֶֽצַח\׃

H5331

Ne.tzach

H:N-M

perpetuity

Psalm 32:11

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

KJV

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

WEB

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, you righteous! Shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart!

From a psalm whose heading attributes it to David; it is the last verse of the psalm.

Context (BSB)

Psalm 32:10

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD.

Psalm 33:1

Rejoice in the LORD, O righteous ones; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

שִׂמְח֬וּ

H8055

sim.Chu

H:V

to rejoice

בַֽ/יהוָ֣ה

H3068G

ba./Yah.weh

N:N--T

LORD

וְ֭/גִילוּ

H1523

Ve./gi.lu

H:V

to rejoice

צַדִּיקִ֑ים

H6662

tza.di.Kim

H:A

righteous

וְ֝/הַרְנִ֗ינוּ

H7442B

ve./har.Ni.nu

H:V

to sing

כָּל\־

H3605

kol-

H:N-M

all

יִשְׁרֵי\־

H3477G

yish.rei-

H:A

upright

לֵֽב\׃

H3820A

Lev

H:N-M

heart

Philippians 4:4

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

KJV

Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

WEB

Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, “Rejoice!”

Paul, writing to the church in Philippi, near the end of the letter.

Context (BSB)

Philippians 4:3

Yes, and I ask you, my true yokefellow, to help these women who have contended at my side for the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life.

Philippians 4:5

Let your gentleness be apparent to all. The Lord is near.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

Χαίρετε

G5463

Chairete

G:V

to rejoice

ἐν

G1722

en

G:PREP

in/on/among

κυρίῳ

G2962G

kuriō

G:N-M

lord: God

πάντοτε·

G3842

pantote

G:ADV

always

πάλιν

G3825

palin

G:ADV

again

ἐρῶ,

G4483

erō

G:V

to say

χαίρετε.

G5463

chairete

G:V

to rejoice

The laughter of the fool, and crude joking

Ecclesiastes 7:6

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

For like the crackling of thorns under the pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This too is futile.

KJV

For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool: this also is vanity.

WEB

For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool. This also is vanity.

From Ecclesiastes, whose words the book attributes to the Teacher.

Context (BSB)

Ecclesiastes 7:5

It is better to heed a wise man’s rebuke than to listen to the song of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7:7

Surely extortion turns a wise man into a fool, and a bribe corrupts the heart.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

כִּ֣י

H3588A

ki

H:Conj

for

כְ/ק֤וֹל

H6963H

khe./Kol

H:N-M

voice: sound

הַ/סִּירִים֙

H5518B

ha./si.Rim

H:N-M

thorn

תַּ֣חַת

H8478G

Ta.chat

H:N-M

underneath: under

הַ/סִּ֔יר

H5518A

ha./Sir

H:N-F

pot

כֵּ֖ן

H3651C

ken

H:Conj

so

שְׂחֹ֣ק

H7814

se.Chok

H:N-M

laughter

הַ/כְּסִ֑יל

H3684

ha./ke.Sil

H:N-M

fool

וְ/גַם\־

H1571

ve./gam-

H:Conj

also

זֶ֖ה

H2088

zeh

H:DemP

this

הָֽבֶל\׃

H1892

Ha.vel

H:N-M

vanity

Ephesians 5:4

BSB

KJV

WEB

BSB KJV WEB

BSB

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving.

KJV

Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

WEB

nor filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not appropriate, but rather giving of thanks.

From a letter in the name of Paul to the saints in Ephesus, in a passage that opens by telling its readers to be imitators of God.

Context (BSB)

Ephesians 5:3

But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed.

Ephesians 5:5

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.

Interlinear (Strong’s)

καὶ

G2532

kai

G:CONJ

and

αἰσχρότης

G0151

aischrotēs

G:N-F

obscenity

καὶ

G2532

kai

G:CONJ

and

μωρολογία

G3473

mōrologia

G:N-F

foolish talk

ἢ

G2228

ē

G:CONJ

or

εὐτραπελία

G2160

eutrapelia

G:N-F

vulgar jesting

ἃ

G3739

ha

G:R

which

οὐκ

G3756

ouk

G:PRT-N

no

ἀνῆκεν

G0433

anēken

G:V

be fitting

ἀλλὰ

G0235

alla

G:CONJ

but

μᾶλλον

G3123H

mallon

G:ADV

more: rather

εὐχαριστία.

G2169

eucharistia

G:N-F

thankfulness

16 Bible Verses About Humor and Laughter

Overview

A joyful heart, a heart that may ache, and a time to laugh

Proverbs 17:22

Ecclesiastes 3:4

Proverbs 14:13

Proverbs 15:13

Mouths filled with laughter, and laughter to come

Job 8:21

Psalm 126:2

Genesis 21:6

Luke 6:21

The Lord who laughs

Psalm 2:4

Psalm 37:13

Joy and rejoicing

Psalm 4:7

Psalm 16:11

Psalm 32:11

Philippians 4:4

The laughter of the fool, and crude joking

Ecclesiastes 7:6

Ephesians 5:4

Verses to pray, send and memorize

16 Bible Verses About Humor and Laughter

Overview

A joyful heart, a heart that may ache, and a time to laugh

Proverbs 17:22

Ecclesiastes 3:4

Proverbs 14:13

Proverbs 15:13

Mouths filled with laughter, and laughter to come

Job 8:21

Psalm 126:2

Genesis 21:6

Luke 6:21

The Lord who laughs

Psalm 2:4

Psalm 37:13

Joy and rejoicing

Psalm 4:7

Psalm 16:11

Psalm 32:11

Philippians 4:4

The laughter of the fool, and crude joking

Ecclesiastes 7:6

Ephesians 5:4

Verses to pray, send and memorize

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