The question of whether God has a sense of humor is an interesting one that many people have pondered. The Bible does not directly state whether God has a sense of humor, but there are some passages and stories that may suggest God does appreciate and exhibit humor at times. Looking at examples of God’s interactions with humans in the Bible can provide insight into this question.
First, it is clear from Scripture that God created humans with a capacity for humor. When God created mankind, He gave us the ability to laugh and appreciate comedy and wit. Humor is part of the human experience, evident throughout history and cultures around the world. The fact that God equipped people with a sense of humor in His creation is perhaps the first clue that God Himself may possess a divine sense of humor.
In addition, there are several biblical stories involving ironic or unexpected twists that suggest God intervenes in humorous ways. Take the story of Balaam in Numbers 22, for example. Balaam is hired by Balak to curse the Israelites, but every time Balaam tries to do so, he ends up blessing them instead. The donkey Balaam is riding even begins talking to him. The story shows God working in an unexpected, almost comical way, overriding Balaam’s intents through divine power.
Another potential example is the defeat of the Arameans in 2 Kings 6-7. The prophet Elisha prays that the Aramean army will be struck blind, which leads to humorous scenes of the bewildered army being led straight to Samaria. While the passage does not explicitly state God was intentionally being humorous, the absurd unfolding of events suggests an element of divine humor or irony.
In the New Testament, Jesus’ responses to religious leaders who tried trapping him with tricky questions could be seen as exhibiting wit and humor. Jesus often pointed out the irony of the religious elite’s actions and rebuked them with thought-provoking statements. This use of irony and reversal may suggest Jesus appreciated the humorous side of highlighting flaws or hypocrisy through clever retorts.
Moving beyond specific narratives, God’s choice to create a universe filled with delight and laughter, with mankind as the pinnacle of creation, could also support the idea of a divine sense of humor. The world is complex, beautiful, tragic and joyful – this variety and strangeness suggests a Creator that takes pleasure in things being intriguing, rather than efficient.
However, the Bible does present God as ultimately completely holy, just and righteous. Humor is not portrayed as a defining characteristic of God in Scripture. He is always to be revered as the almighty, perfect Creator. But that does not necessarily preclude God from appreciating or exhibiting humor at times in His interactions with humans.
God knows the hearts of men perfectly, searches motives and desires, and stands apart from creation. So any humor from God directed at humans would never be motivated by sinful intentions. The Bible never depicts God as capricious, mocking, or foolish. So any divine humor seen in Scripture gives a picture of holy, pure humor – bringing joy and lifting spirits rather than demeaning.
This makes God’s humor quite unique. Human humor always contains an element of folly or darkness mixed in. But God’s humor would be entirely wise, timely and purposeful, devoid of any sin, foolishness or error. It would be humor at its purest, most uplifting form.
Looking at biblical examples of joy and celebration give some clues about God’s perspective on humor. Deuteronomy 16:14-15 (ESV) says: “You shall rejoice in your feast, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite, the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your towns. For seven days you shall keep the feast to the Lord your God at the place that the Lord will choose, because the Lord your God will bless you in all your produce and in all the work of your hands, so that you will be altogether joyful.”
This shows that God desires His people to experience fullness of joy. Laughter and humor are God-given parts of the human experience that contribute to joy. While the Bible does not record God specifically laughing, the divine ability to appreciate and instill joy hints at a capacity for humor.
Psalm 2:2-4 (ESV) says: “The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against his Anointed…He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision.” Here, God’s “laughter” is portrayed in juxtaposition to the futile plotting of human leaders against God’s sovereignty.
This laughter conveys ultimate power – God is so far above human schemes that they appear laughable from His perspective. While this passage does not depict playful, lighthearted divine humor, it does attribute an element of laughable absurdity to those who oppose the plans of almighty God.
In the end, the Scriptures do not provide a definitive declaration on whether God has a sense of humor analogous to human humor. God is generally presented as supremely serious, righteous and just. However, glimpses of divine irony, absurdity, wit and joy in biblical stories leave the possibility open that God does appreciate and express humor in His own divine way.
Rather than imagining God as a jovial jokester, it may be wise to think of God’s humor in a more nuanced manner. Just as God expresses other emotions such as anger and joy in divine ways that differ from flawed human experiences, so God could exhibit perfect humor beyond anything humanity can fully grasp.
A sense of humor in God is not necessary for Him to be Lord of all creation. But the glimpses of holy humor and wit in Scripture give followers hope that the divine nature is not cold, barren or emotionless. As with all things from God, His divine humor would be perfectly timed and exquisitely crafted – bringing maximum glory to Himself and joy to His people.
In many ways, God’s purposes and ways stand as the ultimate joke on the powers of this world. Divine wisdom appears as foolishness to those who cannot perceive spiritual truth. The cross – God’s wisdom – was a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles . Yet it is the power of salvation to all who believe .
Worldly ways are turned upside down in God’s kingdom. Blessings come through suffering, exaltation comes through humility, life comes through death. This paradox is central to the gospel and to God’s divine plan of redemption unfolding throughout history.
The cross reveals holy humor: in the world’s eyes, weakness as strength, death as life, and foolishness as wisdom.Through the cross, God brought salvation, demonstrating that His foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and His weakness is stronger than human strength.
In this grand, cosmic sense, God certainly orchestrates divine irony. The course of history shows God working His purposes out in unexpected and surprising ways. Followers of Christ can see humor in how God confounds expectations and upends worldly assumptions.
The divine flipside of the world’s values elicits awe and laughter at the same time. God’s wisdom far surpasses finite human understanding. His ways may seem odd or absurd from a limited, earthly perspective at times. But He directs all things toward His good and glorious plan.
When looking at biblical accounts, God’s interactions with mankind do at times show glimmers of holy humor and wit. However, these instances are not defining traits of God’s identity or character. Scripture overwhelmingly presents God as the supreme, holy, perfect Judge and Creator.
Any humor from God serves His divine purposes, ultimately for His glory. As C.S. Lewis wrote, “Humor involves a sense of proportion and a power of seeing yourself from the outside.” Our place is to stand in awe of the divine majesty of the Lord, who created all things for His pleasure and redeems sinners for His glory.
Though we cannot claim to fully comprehend the mysteries of God’s ways, we can delight in the glimpses of divine humor and joy found in His Word. These glimmers remind us of the marvelous truth that we worship a God who relates to His people in tender, wise, witty ways – prompting not just reverent fear, but childlike wonder and joy.
