BIBLICAL PLEASURE   (Ref. KJV)

Genesis 18:12
Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?

Deuteronomy 23:24
When thou comest into thy neighbour's vineyard, then thou mayest eat grapes thy fill at thine own pleasure; but thou shalt not put any in thy vessel.

1 Chronicles 29:17
I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.

Ezra 5:17
Now therefore, if it seem good to the king, let there be search made in the king's treasure house, which is there at Babylon, whether it be so, that a decree was made of Cyrus the king to build this house of GOD at Jerusalem, and let the king send his pleasure to us concerning this matter.
Ezra 10:11
Now therefore make confession unto the LORD GOD of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives.
Nehemiah 9:37
And it yieldeth much increase unto the kings whom thou hast set over us because of our sins: also they have dominion over our bodies, and over our cattle, at their pleasure, and we are in great distress.
Esther 1:8
And the drinking was according to the law; none did compel: for so the king had appointed to all the officers of his house, that they should do according to every man's pleasure.
Job 21:21
For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?

Job 21:25
And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
Job 22:3
Is it any pleasure to the Almighty, that thou art righteous? or is it gain to him, that thou makest thy ways perfect?
Psalm 5:4
For thou art not a GOD that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
Psalm 35:27
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant.
Psalm 51:18
Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Psalm 102:14
For thy servants take pleasure in her stones, and favour the dust thereof.
Psalm 103:21
Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.
Psalm 105:22
To bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
Psalm 111:2
The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
Psalm 147:10
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
Psalm 147:11
The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy.
Psalm 149:4
For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.
Proverbs 21:17
He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.
Ecclesiastes 2:1
I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
Ecclesiastes 5:4
When thou vowest a vow unto GOD, defer not to pay it; for he hath no pleasure in fools: pay that which thou hast vowed.
Ecclesiastes 12:1
Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them;

Isaiah 21:4
My heart panted, fearfulness affrighted me: the night of my pleasure hath he turned into fear unto me.
Isaiah 44:28
That saith of Cyrus, He is my shepherd, and shall perform all my pleasure: even saying to Jerusalem, Thou shalt be built; and to the temple, Thy foundation shall be laid.
Isaiah 46:10
Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:
Isaiah 48:14
All ye, assemble yourselves, and hear; which among them hath declared these things? The LORD hath loved him: he will do his pleasure on Babylon, and his arm shall be on the Chaldeans.
Isaiah 53:10
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
Isaiah 58:3
Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and thou takest no knowledge? Behold, in the day of your fast ye find pleasure, and exact all your labours.
Isaiah 58:13
If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words:
Jeremiah 2:24
A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her.
Jeremiah 22:28
Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?
Jeremiah 34:16
But ye turned and polluted my name, and caused every man his servant, and every man his handmaid, whom he had set at liberty at their pleasure, to return, and brought them into subjection, to be unto you for servants and for handmaids. [See def.]
Jeremiah 48:38
There shall be lamentation generally upon all the housetops of Moab, and in the streets thereof: for I have broken Moab like a vessel wherein is no pleasure, saith the LORD.
Ezekiel 16:37
Behold, therefore I will gather all thy lovers, with whom thou hast taken pleasure, and all them that thou hast loved, with all them that thou hast hated; I will even gather them round about against thee, and will discover thy nakedness unto them, that they may see all thy nakedness.

Ezekiel 18:23
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live?
Ezekiel 18:32
For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.

Ezekiel 33:11
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

Hosea 8:8
Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.

Haggai 1:8
Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.
Malachi 1:10
Who is there even among you that would shut the doors for nought? neither do ye kindle fire on mine altar for nought. I have no pleasure in you, saith the LORD of hosts, neither will I accept an offering at your hand.
Luke 12:32
Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
Acts 24:27
But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.
Acts 25:9
But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?
Romans 1:32
Who knowing the judgment of GOD, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

2 Corinthians 12:10
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Ephesians 1:5
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
Ephesians 1:9
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
Philippians 2:13
For it is GOD which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

2 Thessalonians 1:11
Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our GOD would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:
2 Thessalonians 2:12
That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
1 Timothy 5:6
But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.
Hebrews 10:6
In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.
Hebrews 10:8
Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law;
Hebrews 10:38
Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (draw back = pull out)
Hebrews 12:10
For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. (chastened = castrated)
James 5:5
Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.
2 Peter 2:13
And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you;
Revelation 4:11
Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Definition of PLEASURE   

1: desire, inclination <wait upon his pleasure>

2: a state of gratification

3a: sensual gratification b: frivolous amusement

4: a source of delight or joy

Examples of PLEASURE

I paint for the sheer pleasure of it.

His grandparents took great pleasure in seeing him graduate from college.

Is this trip for business or pleasure?

It is a special pleasure for me to be here with you today.

Now I can enjoy the simple pleasures of life, like spending time with my family.

Origin of PLEASURE

Middle English plesure, alteration of plesir, from Anglo-French plaisir, from plaisir to please

First Known Use: 14th century  (Ref. merriam-webster)

Pleasure describes the broad class of mental states that humans and other animals experience as positive, enjoyable, or worth seeking. It includes more specific mental states such as happiness, entertainment, enjoyment, ecstasy, and euphoria. In psychology, the pleasure principle describes pleasure as a positive feedback mechanism, motivating the organism to recreate in the future the situation which it has just found pleasurable. According to this theory, organisms are similarly motivated to avoid situations that have caused pain in the past.

The experience of pleasure is subjective and different individuals will experience different kinds and amounts of pleasure in the same situation. Many pleasurable experiences are associated with satisfying basic biological drives, such as eating, exercise or sex. Other pleasurable experiences are associated with social experiences and social drives, such as the experiences of accomplishment, recognition, and service. The appreciation of cultural artifacts and activities such as art, music, and literature is often pleasurable.

Handmaiden / handmaidens

Typically, royalty and nobility would have handmaidens.

Norse goddesses (such as Frigg) had handmaidens. The biblical Mary referred to herself as "the handmaid of the Lord" in acceptance of becoming pregnant by the Holy Ghost. A man might use a handmaiden as a concubine to bear his child if his wife was infertile. For example, the biblical Rachel, the childless wife of Jacob, gave her handmaid Bilhah to her husband to produce children for her. Jacob's first wife Leah later did the same.

There are numerous references to prostitutes near or within the religious buildings. This is a mistaken representation of their role, for the priestesses were, as well as of being 'handmaidens', performed 'sex magic' rituals related to sacred prostitution in the goddess temples. It was believed that the culmination of the process of sex brought the participants closer to the higher plane where they could gain enlightenment. In this role, these handmaidens were essential to the religious practices.

(Ref. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Definition of HANDMAIDEN

1: a personal maid or female servant

2: something whose essential function is to serve or assist <criticism is not the enemy of art but rather its handmaiden>

Variants of HANDMAIDEN

hand·maid·en also hand·maid \-ˌmād\

Examples of HANDMAIDEN

<the princess was intensely shy, and allowed only her handmaiden to enter her chambers>

First Known use of HANDMAIDEN:  13th century:  (Ref. merriam-webster)