THE LAUGHTER OF ABRAHAM AND OF SARAH
THE LAUGHTER OF ABRAHAM AND OF SARAH

Summary/Abstract: The presence of laughter, irony, humour, as well as of other forms of humorous manifestation in the Holy Scripture has elicited ample and thorough commentary, especially in the modern period. Although the biblical text seldom gives the opportunity to identify such passages, biblical textual criticism has endeavoured to identify and highlight them. One of the clearest examples of laughter in the biblical canon is that of the laughter of Abraham and Sarah when God promises the birth of a child, of Isaac, whose name can be translated as “laughter,” or “let God smile.” The laughter of Patriarch Abraham and of his wife Sarah differs from one tradition to another. On the other hand, the Holy Apostle Paul allegorically interprets the image of Patriarch Isaac, linking it to the Person and the work of Christ.

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