Definition Of Joy In The Bible
In the old testament joy heb.
Definition of joy in the bible. The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good. Ever had a hard time defining biblical joy. Bible verses about joy rejoice with scriptures on happiness bible verses about joy can help christians who may be going through a difficult season as a reminder of the calm happiness through faith in god. Worldly possessions accomplishments even the people in our lives are blessings that make us happy and fuel.
2 main biblical definitions of joy. The text is clear. The bible distinguishes joy from pleasure. If such words as joyous and joyful are included the number comes to over 200.
Today we will look at the biblical definition of joy. I am talking about christian joy as paul the apostle describes it. That excitement of pleasurable feelings which is caused by success good fortune the gratification of desire or some good possessed or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire. It is not fleeting or based on circumstances.
Let s look again at james 1 2 but let s add verse 3 my brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience nkjv. Joy is the fruit of a right relation with god. It is not something people can create by their own efforts. We can respond to life s trials with genuine joy if we know that the lord has a purpose for why he would allow those difficult.
Joy is found over 150 times in the bible. 25 different hebrew words and 10 greek words make up over 150 references to joy in the bible. Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul produced by the holy spirit as he causes us to see the beauty of christ in the word and in the world. Happiness over an unanticipated or present good.
So let me give you my definition and then take it apart one piece at a time. I am not just asking about the meaning of joy in general. The book of psalms have more references to joy than any other book in the bible and the psalmist wrote a lot about joy and much like what nehemiah wrote the joy of the lord is your strength. Sama covers a wide range of human experiences from sexual love so 1 4 to marriage pr 5 18 the birth of children psalm113 9 the gathering of the harvest military victory isa 9 3 and drinking wine psalm104 15 on the spiritual level it refers to the extreme happiness with which the believer.
This explains why within the 35 different words for joy two main definitions emerge.