Bible Strands
Ecclesiastes 7:3
Sorrow is better than laughter, for a sad countenance is good for the heart.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Preacher addresses a general audience during a series of wisdom contrasts, positioning this statement immediately after the command to prefer a house of mourning over a house of feasting.
The words — כַּעַס (Ka'as) translates to vexation or sorrow, while בְּרֹעַ פָּנִים (be-roa panim) literally means by a sad countenance.
The thread — This pattern of sorrow yielding spiritual benefit runs through 2 Corinthians 7:9, where sorrow produces repentance, and Romans 5:3, where suffering produces perseverance.
Why it lands — The text commands readers to embrace sorrow rather than chase laughter, because a heavy heart forces confrontation with mortality and corrects inner disposition.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better.
Cross-references
- 2 Corinthians 7:9 yet now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us.
- Romans 5:3 Not only that, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
- James 4:8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
- John 16:20 Truly, truly, I tell you, you will weep and wail while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
- Jeremiah 31:15 This is what the LORD says: “A voice is heard in Ramah, mourning and great weeping, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
- 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory that is far beyond comparison.
- Hebrews 12:10 Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness.
- James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds,
- Psalms 119:67 Before I was afflicted, I went astray; but now I keep Your word.
- Psalms 119:71 It was good for me to be afflicted, that I might learn Your statutes.