γέλως
gelōs
laughter
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word γέλως (gelōs) is defined as "laughter." As a noun, it describes a state of joy or amusement. It's worth noting that there is only one occurrence of this word in the Greek Bible, which suggests that it may not be a commonly used term. Given its definition, the term gelōs likely has a relatively narrow range of usage. It appears in contexts where joy or happiness is being expressed, implying a lighthearted or humorous tone. This understanding is consistent with the idea of laughter as a natural response to something perceived as amusing. In the singular instance of this word's occurrence in the Greek Bible, it is used to describe a moment of joy or celebration. This suggests that gelōs holds a specific significance in this context, perhaps even serving as a way to emphasize the intensity of the happiness experienced.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
1 total occurrence across the text