tsa.chaq describes laughter in response to striking circumstances and, in some scenes, joking, mockery, or public amusement.

The term most often occurs for laughter in personal or interpersonal scenes, including responses to unexpected news and laughter shared or observed between people. Other contexts place it in revelry, apparent joking, mockery, or an occasion arranged for public amusement.

1. Laughter in personal or interpersonal scenes · dominant

   In Genesis 17:17 and Genesis 18:12, the Qal forms occur as Abraham and Sarah respond to the prospect of a child in old age; the APB renders the actions as “laughed.” Genesis 21:6 anticipates that hearers will laugh with Sarah, while Genesis 21:9 and Genesis 26:8 place Piel participles in scenes where another person sees someone laughing.

   Genesis 17:17Genesis 18:12Genesis 18:13Genesis 18:15Genesis 21:6Genesis 21:9
2. Joking, mockery, revelry, or staged amusement · common

   In Genesis 19:14, Lot's warning appears to his sons-in-law as that of someone “joking,” and Genesis 39:14 and Genesis 39:17 place Piel infinitives in the accusation that a Hebrew man came to “mock.” Exodus 32:6 follows eating and drinking with rising to revel, and Judges 16:25 has people call for Samson before he is set between the pillars.

   Exodus 32:6Genesis 19:14Genesis 39:14Genesis 39:17Judges 16:25

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB commonly uses “laughed” or “laugh,” but also uses “joking,” “mock,” and “revel” in other scenes. These renderings show the verse contexts rather than fixed English equivalents.