Bible Dictionaries
Jest
Holman Bible Dictionary
An act intended to provoke laughter; an utterance intended as mockery or humor. Thinking Lot was jesting about Sodom's imminent destruction, his sons-in-law remained in the city (Genesis 19:14 ). The jesters of Psalm 35:16 (NAS) are mockers. Isaiah 57:4 describes idolatry as making God the object of a jest (KJV sport). Ephesians 5:4 characterizes jesting or mocking speech as part of a pagan life-style.
Copyright Statement
These dictionary topics are from the Holman Bible Dictionary, published by Broadman & Holman, 1991. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Broadman & Holman.
Bibliography Information
Butler, Trent C. Editor. Entry for 'Jest'. Holman Bible Dictionary. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/hbd/j/jest.html. 1991.