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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: Tickled</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/t/tickled.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/2_timothy/4-3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/t/tickled.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > Tickled</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tibni--death_of.htm" title="Tibni: Death of">◄</a> Tickled <a href="/topical/t/tidal.htm" title="Tidal">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#web" title="Webster's Dictionary">Webster's</a> • <a href="#cnc" title="Multiversion Concordance">Concordance</a> • <a href="#thes" title="Bible Thesaurus">Thesaurus</a> • <a href="#grk" title="Strong's Greek Concordance">Greek</a> • <a href="#lib" title="Library">Library</a> • <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The concept of being "tickled" is not directly mentioned in the Bible; however, the idea of being amused or entertained, often associated with being tickled, can be explored through various scriptural themes and passages. In a biblical context, the notion of being "tickled" can be metaphorically linked to the idea of having one's ears "tickled" by teachings that are pleasing but not necessarily truthful or sound.<br><br><b>Ear-Tickling Teachings</b><br><br>The Apostle Paul warns against the danger of seeking teachings that merely satisfy personal desires rather than adhering to sound doctrine. In <a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">2 Timothy 4:3-4</a> , Paul writes, "For the time will come when men will not tolerate sound doctrine, but with itching ears, they will gather around themselves teachers to suit their own desires. So they will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." This passage highlights the human tendency to prefer messages that are comforting or entertaining, rather than those that challenge or convict.<br><br><b>The Pursuit of Truth</b><br><br>The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of seeking truth and wisdom over mere amusement or superficial satisfaction. <a href="/proverbs/2.htm">Proverbs 2:1-5</a> encourages the pursuit of wisdom: "My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you, if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, if you seek it like silver and search it out like hidden treasure, then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God."<br><br><b>Discernment and Wisdom</b><br><br>The call to discernment is a recurring theme in Scripture. Believers are urged to test all things and hold fast to what is good (<a href="/1_thessalonians/5-21.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:21</a>). This discernment is crucial in distinguishing between teachings that are merely pleasing to the ear and those that are rooted in biblical truth. The Bereans are commended in <a href="/acts/17-11.htm">Acts 17:11</a> for their noble character, as they "received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true."<br><br><b>Joy and Laughter</b><br><br>While the Bible warns against ear-tickling teachings, it also acknowledges the place of joy and laughter in the life of a believer. <a href="/ecclesiastes/3-4.htm">Ecclesiastes 3:4</a> states that there is "a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (<a href="/galatians/5-22.htm">Galatians 5:22</a>), and laughter can be a natural expression of the joy found in the Lord. However, this joy is rooted in the truth of God's Word and the salvation found in Christ, rather than in fleeting or superficial amusements.<br><br><b>Conclusion</b><br><br>While the Bible does not explicitly mention being "tickled," it provides guidance on the importance of seeking truth and wisdom over teachings that merely entertain or satisfy personal desires. Believers are encouraged to pursue discernment, embrace the joy found in the Lord, and remain steadfast in sound doctrine.<a name="web" id="web"></a><div class="vheading2">Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary</div>(<I>imp. & p. p.</I>) of Tickle.<a name="grk" id="grk"></a><div class="vheading2">Greek</div><a href="/greek/2833.htm"><span class="l">2833. knetho -- to scratch, itch</span></a> <br><b>...</b> pass: I itch. Word Origin a late form of knao (to scrape) Definition to<br> scratch, itch NASB Word Usage <b>tickled</b> (1). itching. From a <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2833.htm</font><font color="#ff6600" size="-1"> - 6k</font><a name="lib" id="lib"></a><div class="vheading2">Library</div><p><a href="/library/tertullian/on_fasting_in_opposition_to_the_psychics/chapter_xiiof_the_need_for.htm"><span class="l">Of the Need for Some Protest against the Psychics and their Self <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> on the very last day of trial, at high noon, you premedicated with drugged wine<br> as an antidote, and so completely enervated, that on being <b>tickled</b>"for his <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../on fasting in opposition to the psychics/chapter xiiof the need for.htm</font><p><a href="/library/tertullian/on_the_veiling_of_virgins/chapter_xiv_perils_to_the_virgins.htm"><span class="l">Perils to the virgins Themselves Attendant Upon Not-Veiling.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> by the public exhibition [327] of herself, while she is penetrated by the gaze of<br> untrustworthy and multitudinous' eyes, while she is <b>tickled</b> by pointing <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../tertullian/on the veiling of virgins/chapter xiv perils to the virgins.htm</font><p><a href="/library/hilary/the_life_and_writings_of_st_hilary_of_poitiers/book_x_it_is_manifest.htm"><span class="l">Book x. It is Manifest that There is Nothing which Men have ever <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> They delight, with an uncontrollable pleasure, to have their itching ears <b>tickled</b><br> by the novelty of their favourite preaching; they estrange themselves utterly <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../hilary/the life and writings of st hilary of poitiers/book x it is manifest.htm</font><p><a href="/library/macdonald/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind/chapter_17_diamond_became_a.htm"><span class="l">Diamond Became a Great Favourite with all the Men About the Mews. <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> All the time the old horse went on eating his hay, and, but with an occasional whisk<br> of his tail when Diamond <b>tickled</b> or scratched him, took no notice of the <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 17 diamond became a.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/our_lords_sermon_on_the_mount/chapter_xii.htm"><span class="l">Chapter xii.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> to lust after her," [109] ie turneth toward her with this aim and this intent, that<br> he may lust after her; which, in fact, is not merely to be <b>tickled</b> [110] by <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xii.htm</font><p><a href="/library/brown/christ_the_way_the_truth_and_the_life/chapter_xxix_how_should_we.htm"><span class="l">How Should we Make Use of Christ, in Going to the Father, in <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> We are too much <b>tickled</b> and fain when duties go well with us, and troubled on the<br> other hand when it is not so; and the ground of all this is, because we lean <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../brown/christ the way the truth and the life/chapter xxix how should we.htm</font><p><a href="/library/clement/the_stromata_or_miscellanies/chapter_iii_against_the_sophists.htm"><span class="l">Against the Sophists.</span></a> <br><b>...</b> show themselves greater chatterers than turtle-doves; scratching and tickling, not<br> in a manly way, in my opinion, the ears of those who wish to be <b>tickled</b>. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter iii against the sophists.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/the_confessions_of_saint_augustine/chapter_ix_what_then_was.htm"><span class="l">What Then was this Feeling? for of a Truth it was Too Foul...</span></a> <br><b>...</b> It was the sport, which as it were <b>tickled</b> our hearts, that we beguiled those<br> who little thought what we were doing, and much disliked it. <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter ix what then was.htm</font><p><a href="/library/augustine/the_confessions_of_saint_augustine/chapter_x_and_yet_i.htm"><span class="l">And Yet, I Sinned Herein, O Lord God, the Creator and Disposer of <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> For I disobeyed, not from a better choice, but from love of play, loving the pride<br> of victory in my contests, and to have my ears <b>tickled</b> with lying fables <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter x and yet i.htm</font><p><a href="/library/arnobius/the_seven_books_of_arnobius_against_the_heathen/4_if_perchance_it_is.htm"><span class="l">If Perchance it is not This, are victims not Slain in Sacrifice to <b>...</b></span></a> <br><b>...</b> by pleasures, that they long for sensual enjoyment, and, like some base creatures,<br> are affected by agreeable sensations, and charmed and <b>tickled</b> for the moment <b>...</b> <br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/4 if perchance it is.htm</font><a name="thes" id="thes"></a><div class="vheading2">Thesaurus</div><a href="/topical/t/tickled.htm"><span class="l"><b>Tickled</b> (1 Occurrence)</span></a><br><b>...</b> Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Tickle. Multi-Version Concordance<br><b>Tickled</b> (1 Occurrence). 2 Timothy 4:3 For a time is coming <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/tickled.htm - 6k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/tibni.htm"><span class="l">Tibni (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/tibni.htm - 8k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/tidal.htm"><span class="l">Tidal (2 Occurrences)</span></a><br><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/tidal.htm - 11k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/wholesome.htm"><span class="l">Wholesome (10 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2 Timothy 4:3 For a time is coming when they will not tolerate wholesome instruction,<br> but, wanting to have their ears <b>tickled</b>, they will find a multitude of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/wholesome.htm - 10k</font><p><a href="/topical/w/wanting.htm"><span class="l">Wanting (27 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2 Timothy 4:3 For a time is coming when they will not tolerate wholesome instruction,<br> but, wanting to have their ears <b>tickled</b>, they will find a multitude of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/w/wanting.htm - 14k</font><p><a href="/topical/f/fancies.htm"><span class="l">Fancies (3 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2 Timothy 4:3 For a time is coming when they will not tolerate wholesome instruction,<br> but, wanting to have their ears <b>tickled</b>, they will find a multitude of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/f/fancies.htm - 7k</font><p><a href="/topical/t/tolerate.htm"><span class="l">Tolerate (8 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2 Timothy 4:3 For a time is coming when they will not tolerate wholesome instruction,<br> but, wanting to have their ears <b>tickled</b>, they will find a multitude of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/t/tolerate.htm - 9k</font><p><a href="/topical/s/satisfy.htm"><span class="l">Satisfy (32 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2 Timothy 4:3 For a time is coming when they will not tolerate wholesome instruction,<br> but, wanting to have their ears <b>tickled</b>, they will find a multitude of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/s/satisfy.htm - 16k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/instruction.htm"><span class="l">Instruction (117 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2 Timothy 4:3 For a time is coming when they will not tolerate wholesome instruction,<br> but, wanting to have their ears <b>tickled</b>, they will find a multitude of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/instruction.htm - 35k</font><p><a href="/topical/i/instead.htm"><span class="l">Instead (139 Occurrences)</span></a><br><b>...</b> 2 Timothy 4:3 For a time is coming when they will not tolerate wholesome instruction,<br> but, wanting to have their ears <b>tickled</b>, they will find a multitude of <b>...</b><br><font color="#ff6600" size="-1">/i/instead.htm - 36k</font><p><a name="res" id="res"></a><div class="vheading2">Resources</div><a href="https://www.gotquestions.org/itching-ears.html">What does 2 Timothy 4:3 mean by itching ears? | GotQuestions.org</a><br /><br /><a href="https://clyx.com/term/tickled.htm">Tickled: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com</a><br /><br /><a href="/concordance/">Bible Concordance</a> • <a href="/dictionary/">Bible Dictionary</a> • <a href="/encyclopedia/">Bible Encyclopedia</a> • <a href="/topical/">Topical Bible</a> • <a href="/thesaurus/">Bible Thesuarus</a></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="cnc" id="cnc"></a><div class="vheading2">Concordance</div><span class="encheading">Tickled (1 Occurrence)</span><p><span class="rtext"><a href="/2_timothy/4-3.htm">2 Timothy 4:3</a></span><br />For a time is coming when they will not tolerate wholesome instruction, but, wanting to have their ears <span class="boldtext">tickled</span>, they will find a multitude of teachers to satisfy their own fancies;<br /><span class="source">(WEY NAS)</span><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/t/tickled.htm">Tickled</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/amraphel.htm">Amraphel (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/chedorlaomer.htm">Chedorlaomer (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/goiim.htm">Goiim (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/eriaku.htm">Eriaku</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/eri-aku.htm">Eri-aku</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/h/hammurabi.htm">Hammurabi</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/goyim.htm">Goyim (7 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/goi'im.htm">Goi'im (3 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/ella'sar.htm">Ella'sar (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/ellasar.htm">Ellasar (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/b/bore.htm">Bore (221 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/c/ched-or-lao'mer.htm">Ched-or-lao'mer (5 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/ar'ioch.htm">Ar'ioch (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/arioch.htm">Arioch (6 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/a/am'raphel.htm">Am'raphel (2 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/shinar.htm">Shinar (8 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/k/kedorlaomer.htm">Kedorlaomer (4 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/f/flow.htm">Flow (85 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tickled.htm">Tickled (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/ebb.htm">Ebb (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/el-lasar.htm">El-lasar (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/graecia.htm">Graecia</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/t/tidings.htm">Tidings (169 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/e/elam.htm">Elam (24 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/k/kings.htm">Kings (350 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/d/deluge.htm">Deluge (17 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/n/noah.htm">Noah (55 Occurrences)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/g/greece.htm">Greece (15 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/naves/t/tibni--death_of.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Tibni: Death of"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Tibni: Death of" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/topical/t/tidal.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Tidal"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Tidal" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' 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