Topical Encyclopedia
In the Bible, the concept of a smile is not frequently mentioned explicitly, yet the underlying themes of joy, favor, and divine blessing often imply the presence of a smile. A smile can be seen as an expression of inner joy, contentment, and the favor of God, reflecting a heart aligned with His will.
Joy and GladnessThe Bible frequently speaks of joy and gladness, which are often accompanied by a smile. In
Proverbs 15:13, it is written, "A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, but with a heartache comes depression." This verse suggests that a smile is a natural expression of a joyful heart, indicating that inner joy manifests outwardly.
Divine FavorA smile can also be seen as a symbol of divine favor. In
Numbers 6:24-26, the Aaronic blessing includes the phrase, "The LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you." The shining of God's face can be interpreted as a divine smile, a sign of His favor and grace upon His people. This blessing implies that when God "smiles" upon His people, they experience His grace and peace.
Expressions of Love and FellowshipSmiles are often associated with love and fellowship among believers. In the New Testament, the early church is described as a community of believers who shared their lives with gladness and sincerity of heart.
Acts 2:46 states, "With gladness and sincerity of heart, they continued to meet together in the temple courts and to break bread from house to house." This gladness likely included smiles as they shared in fellowship and love.
Encouragement and ComfortA smile can also serve as a source of encouragement and comfort to others. In
Proverbs 16:24, it is written, "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." While this verse specifically mentions words, the sentiment can be extended to include the warmth and encouragement conveyed through a smile, which can uplift and heal the spirit.
The Absence of JoyConversely, the absence of a smile can indicate sorrow or distress. In
Job 9:27, Job speaks of his suffering, saying, "If I say, ‘I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression and smile,’ I still dread all my sufferings." Here, Job acknowledges that a smile is difficult to muster in times of deep distress, highlighting the connection between one's emotional state and the ability to smile.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not frequently mention smiling directly, the themes of joy, divine favor, love, and encouragement suggest that a smile is a natural expression of a heart aligned with God's will. It reflects the inner joy and peace that come from a relationship with Him and serves as a means of blessing and uplifting others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. i.) To express amusement, pleasure, moderate joy, or love and kindness, by the features of the face; to laugh silently.
2. (v. i.) To express slight contempt by a look implying sarcasm or pity; to sneer.
3. (v. i.) To look gay and joyous; to have an appearance suited to excite joy; as, smiling spring; smiling plenty.
4. (v. i.) To be propitious or favorable; to favor; to countenance; -- often with on; as, to smile on one's labors.
5. (v. t.) To express by a smile; as, to smile consent; to smile a welcome to visitors.
6. (v. t.) To affect in a certain way with a smile.
7. (n.) The act of smiling; a peculiar change or brightening of the face, which expresses pleasure, moderate joy, mirth, approbation, or kindness; -- opposed to frown.
8. (n.) A somewhat similar expression of countenance, indicative of satisfaction combined with malevolent feelings, as contempt, scorn, etc; as, a scornful smile.
9. (v. i.) Favor; countenance; propitious ness; as, the smiles of Providence.
10. (v. i.) Gay or joyous appearance; as, the smiles of spring.
Greek
1070. gelao -- to laugh ... gelao. 1071 . to laugh. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: gelao Phonetic Spelling:
(ghel-ah'-o) Short Definition: I laugh Definition: I laugh,
smile.
... Strong's Hebrew
1082. balag -- to gleam, smile... 1081, 1082. balag. 1083 . to gleam,
smile. Transliteration: balag Phonetic
Spelling: (baw-lag') Short Definition: cheerful. Word Origin a prim.
... Library
The Last Smile of the Muse
... SAINT AUGUSTIN I THE LAST SMILE OF THE MUSE. Now that Augustin had been
at last touched by grace, was he after all going to make ...
"Won by a Smile. "
... "Won by a Smile.". In ... Sunday." Won to Christ by a smile! We must get the
wrinkles out of our brows, and we must have smiling faces. ...
Strange Account of the Origin of Matter, from the Various ...
... Chapter XV."Strange Account of the Origin of Matter, from the Various Affections
of Achamoth The Waters from Her Tears; Light from Her Smile. ...
Probably those who Embrace the views of Celsus Will Smile at us ...
... Chapter LIX. Probably those who embrace the views of Celsus will smile
at us when we say? Probably those who embrace the views ...
There are those who Think that the Christian Religion is what we ...
... 1. There are those who think that the Christian religion is what we should smile
at rather than hold fast, for this reason, that, in it, not what may be seen ...
The Capture of Chrysostom
... Lucianus.'. He handed it to Philip with a smile. ... A man may smile, and smile, and
be... "well, no, not exactly a villain, but the accomplice in a little plot. ...
The Heart of Man and the Heart of God
... So much so that,. Not even the tenderest heart, and next our own,. Knows half
the reasons why we smile or sigh. They see us smile, and ...
For the King There were Three Great Perils: the People...
... When Manius came to seek her hand the king said, with a smile: "My noble youth,
she is for the like of Achilles"a man of heroic heart and size. ...
On Laughter.
... altogether. For the seemly relaxation of the countenance in a harmonious
manner"as of a musical instrument"is called a smile. ...
Evidences of Regeneration.
... Father. He is conscious that he pleases God, and has God's smile of
approbation. ... love. His conscience does not upbraid, but smile. ...
Thesaurus
Smile (4 Occurrences)... 4. (vi) To be propitious or favorable; to favor; to countenance; -- often
with on; as, to
smile on one's labors. 5. (vt) To express
...Wear (56 Occurrences)
... shackle. 4. (vt) To have or exhibit an appearance of, as an aspect or manner;
to bear; as, she wears a smile on her countenance. 5 ...
Intermeddle (1 Occurrence)
... man's soul at all times." "The heart knoweth its own bitterness." "Nor even the
tenderest heart, and next our own, Knows half the reasons why we smile and sigh ...
Favorably (10 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Job 10:3 Is it good to you that you should oppress, that you should despise
the work of your hands, and smile on the counsel of the wicked? (See NAS) ...
Raise (175 Occurrences)
... 14. (vt) To give rise to; to occasion; to start; to originate; as, to raise a smile
or a blush. 15. (vt) To give vent or utterance to; to utter; to strike up. ...
Complacent (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.) Self-satisfied; contented; as, a complacent temper;
a complacent smile. Multi-Version Concordance Complacent (5 Occurrences). ...
Approving (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Approve. 2. (a.) Expressing approbation; commending; as,
an approving smile. Multi-Version Concordance Approving (2 Occurrences). ...
Smelter (2 Occurrences)
Sneer (3 Occurrences)
... 6. (n.) The act of sneering. 7. (n.) A smile, grin, or contortion of the face,
indicative of contempt; an indirect expression or insinuation of contempt. ...
Smiled (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Smile. Multi-Version Concordance Smiled
(1 Occurrence). Job 29:24 I smiled on them when they had no confidence. ...
Resources
What does it mean to seek God's face? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about fun and entertainment? | GotQuestions.orgHow can I help someone to leave a toxic cult? | GotQuestions.orgSmile: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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