KJV ORIGINAL
Even in laughter the heart is sorrowful; and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
Close to the original. Clear modern English.
✦ MADE SIMPLE
Even when someone is laughing, their heart can be full of sadness; and when the laughter ends, the sadness remains.
⚡ THE BOTTOM LINE
This verse is saying that outward joy can mask inner pain, and temporary happiness often gives way to deeper sorrow.
📚 Historical Context
This proverb comes from Solomon's collection of wisdom sayings, written around 950 BC during Israel's golden age. In ancient Hebrew culture, there was a deep understanding that human emotions were complex and that appearances could be deceiving. The Hebrew people valued authentic relationship with God over superficial happiness, recognizing that true joy came from spiritual rather than worldly sources.
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