The term "witty" is not directly found in the Bible; however, the concept of wit, understood as mental sharpness and inventiveness, is reflected in various biblical passages that emphasize wisdom, discernment, and the appropriate use of words. In the biblical context, wit is often associated with wisdom, which is highly valued and seen as a gift from God.

Wisdom and Wit

The Bible frequently highlights the importance of wisdom, which can encompass the idea of wit. Proverbs, a book dedicated to imparting wisdom, often speaks to the value of understanding and the skillful use of words. Proverbs 15:23 states, "A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!" This verse underscores the delight and appropriateness of a well-timed and thoughtful response, which can be seen as a form of wit.

Discernment and Speech

Wit, in the biblical sense, is closely tied to discernment and the prudent use of language. Proverbs 16:21 says, "The wise in heart will be called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning." Here, the connection between wisdom, discernment, and effective communication is evident. The ability to speak wisely and pleasantly is akin to having a witty and insightful manner of expression.

Jesus and Parables

Jesus Christ exemplified the use of wit through His parables and teachings. His ability to convey profound truths through simple accounts and analogies demonstrates a divine wit that captivated His audience. In Matthew 13:34 , it is noted, "Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable." His parables often contained elements of surprise and cleverness, challenging listeners to think deeply and discern the underlying message.

Apostle Paul and Rhetoric

The Apostle Paul also demonstrated wit in his epistles, using rhetoric and logical argumentation to convey theological truths. In 1 Corinthians 9:22 , Paul writes, "To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men, so that by all possible means I might save some." His adaptability and strategic use of language reflect a keen wit aimed at effectively communicating the Gospel.

Warnings Against Misuse

While wit can be a positive attribute, the Bible also warns against the misuse of words. Ephesians 5:4 cautions, "Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving." This admonition highlights the importance of using wit in a manner that is edifying and aligned with Christian values, avoiding humor that is inappropriate or harmful.

Conclusion

In summary, while the Bible does not explicitly use the term "witty," the concept is woven throughout Scripture in the form of wisdom, discernment, and the skillful use of language. Biblical wit is characterized by its alignment with divine wisdom, its capacity to edify, and its role in effectively communicating truth.1. (n.) Possessed of wit; knowing; wise; skillful; judicious; clever; cunning.

2. (n.) Especially, possessing wit or humor; good at repartee; droll; facetious; sometimes, sarcastic; as, a witty remark, poem, and the like.

WIST, WITTY, WOT

wist, wit'-i, wot: The verb "to wit" in the King James Version is interchangeable with "to know," and is conjugated with a present "wot," and a past "wist." This inflection is derived from more complicated forms in the older English, and in post-Elizabethan times has become quite obsolete. (But compare the roots in "wisdom," "witness.") "Wit," then, is simply "knowledge," and "witty" is "having knowledge," although the noun and the adjective have become narrowly specialized in modern English (compare the similar evolution of "knowing," in its use as an adjective). Even in Elizabethan English, however, the indicative of "to wit" was becoming displaced by "know," and "wot" and "wist" together occur only 24 times in the King James Version (not at all in Apocrypha). the English Revised Version has retained all the New Testament examples, but in the Old Testament has altered about half the occurrences to "know," but has followed no discoverable rule in so doing ("wot" retained only in Joshua 2:5). the American Standard Revised Version has changed to "know" throughout (Old Testament and New Testament). The infinitive "to wit" is still in use (chiefly in legal formulas) before an apposition, and the King James Version has introduced it rather frequently to clarify a construction (Joshua 17:1 1 Kings 2:32, etc.), and the Revised Version (British and American) has usually retained it (omitted in Joshua 17:1 2 Chronicles 4:12). In the other uses of this inf. (Genesis 24:21 Exodus 2:4) it is replaced by "to know," while the very obsolete expression in 2 Corinthians 8:1, the King James Version "We do you to wit" (i.e. "We cause you to know"; see Do), has become in the Revised Version (British and American) "We make known unto you."

The noun "wit" is found in Psalm 107:27, "at their wits' (the King James Version "wit's") end," for chokhmah, "wisdom," "technical skill"; compare the Revised Version margin "All their wisdom is swallowed up." The meaning is "their skilled seamanship cannot cope with the danger" (the phrase is very commonly misapplied). "Wit" occurs also 1 Esdras 4:26 (dianoia, "mind"); 2 Esdras 5:9 (sensus, here "intelligence"); Sirach 31:20 (psuche, "soul," with the force of "reason").

Witty is found in the King James Version, the Revised Version margin Proverbs 8:12, "witty inventions" (mezimmah, "discretion" (so the Revised Version (British and American)); if "and" is not read in this verse, translate "discrete knowledge"). In Judith 11:23 occurs "witty in thy words" (agathos, "good," here probably = "thou hast spoken sound sense"). The Wisdom of Solomon 8:19 the King James Version has "a witty child," the Revised Version (British and American) "a child of parts," margin "goodly" (euphues, "well grown," "of a good disposition," "clever"). "Wittingly" occurs in Genesis 48:14 (sakhal, "act intelligently").

Burton Scott Easton

WITTY

See WIST, WITTY, WOT.

791. asteios -- of the town, by impl. courteous, elegant
... Phonetic Spelling: (as-ti'-os) Short Definition: elegant, pretty, fair, fine, beautiful
Definition: (lit: belonging to the city; then: witty, clever), elegant ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/791.htm - 6k4209. mezimmah -- purpose, discretion, device
... wickedly (1). wicked device, discretion, intent, witty invention, lewdness,
mischievous device, thought, wickedly. From zamam; a ...
/hebrew/4209.htm - 6k

On Smart Novelists and the Smart Set
... The aristocrat is not merely to be taller than mortal men and stronger and handsomer,
he is also to be more witty. He is the long man with the short epigram. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xv on smart novelists and.htm

Letter xvii. (AD 390. )
... whether it is due to the weakness of your cause, or through the courteousness of
your manners, that you have preferred to show yourself more witty than weighty ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter xvii a d 390.htm

The Pietists. AD 1660-1750.
... of this period, when characterising the earlier part of the eighteenth century,
says, "There was a time in Germany when no satire could be witty at the expense ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/chapter xi the pietists a d.htm

Successors of Theodosius the Great. Rufinus, the Pr??torian
... His jests were replete with good nature, and he could bear ridicule without manifesting
the least resentment. He was very prompt and witty in his rejoinders. ...
/.../chapter i successors of theodosius the.htm

Impressive Phrases
... maxim, proverb, truism, and apothegm [apothegm = terse, witty, instructive saying].
medley ... amusement. pleasant, jocular, witty, and facetious. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section iv impressive phrases.htm

The Sermon that the Reverend Father in Christ
... This is your generation, this is your dispensation, this is your wisdom. In this
generation, in this dispensation, you be most politic, most witty. ...
/.../sermons on the card and other discourses/the sermon that the reverend.htm

The Birth of a Movement.
... John Berridge, the witty yet zealous vicar of Everton, itinerated through the country
and in one year saw not less that four thousand awakened. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclean/william black/i the birth of a.htm

Jeremy Taylor -- Christ's Advent to Judgment
... form, however, his most brilliant and most voluminous productions, and fully establish
his claims to the first place among the learned, witty, fanciful, ornate ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/jeremy taylor christs advent.htm

The Folly of Slander. Part 1.
... and bitter zeals sprung up; there is an extreme curiosity, niceness, and delicacy
of judgment: there is a mighty affectation of seeming wise and witty by any ...
/.../barrow/sermons on evil-speaking by isaac barrow/the folly of slander part.htm

And Disputes
... leaves. The story of Hugh's predicament had got wind. The Hereford Canons
wanted to choose the witty Walter Map to be bishop. He ...
/.../marson/hugh bishop of lincoln/chapter vii name disputes.htm

Witty (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.) Especially, possessing wit or humor; good at repartee; droll; facetious;
sometimes, sarcastic; as, a witty remark, poem, and the like. ... WIST, WITTY, WOT. ...
/w/witty.htm - 10k

Wot (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp.) of Weet. 2. (pres. sing.) of Wit. 3. (v.) 1st & 3d pers. sing. pres.
Of Wit. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. WIST, WITTY, WOT. ...
/w/wot.htm - 13k

Wist (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (v.) Knew. 2. (pp) of Wit. Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia. WIST, WITTY, WOT. wist, wit'-i, wot: The ...
/w/wist.htm - 14k

Joke (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) Something said for the sake of exciting a laugh; something witty or sportive
(commonly indicating more of hilarity or humor than jest); a jest; a ...
/j/joke.htm - 7k

Gem (1 Occurrence)
... size, or expressed within brief limits, which is regarded as a gem on account of
its beauty or value, as a small picture, a verse of poetry, a witty or wise ...
/g/gem.htm - 7k

Wittingly (1 Occurrence)

/w/wittingly.htm - 6k

Ingenious (1 Occurrence)
... 3. (a.) Witty; shrewd; adroit; keen; sagacious; as, an ingenious reply. 4. (a.)
Mental; intellectual. Multi-Version Concordance Ingenious (1 Occurrence). ...
/i/ingenious.htm - 7k

Inventions (8 Occurrences)
... inventions. (KJV WBS). Proverbs 8:12 I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find
out knowledge of witty inventions. (KJV WBS). Proverbs ...
/i/inventions.htm - 8k

Retort (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (n.) The return of, or reply to, an argument, charge, censure, incivility,
taunt, or witticism; a quick and witty or severe response. ...
/r/retort.htm - 7k

Brighten (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (v.) To make acute or witty; to enliven. 5. (vi) To grow bright, or more bright;
to become less dark or gloomy; to clear up; to become bright or cheerful. ...
/b/brighten.htm - 7k

Witty: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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