Games

Boyd’s Bible Dictionary:

(sports). Simple among Hebrews. Falconry (Job 41:55Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens? (Job 41:5)); foot-racing (Psa. 19:55Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. (Psalm 19:5); Eccl. 9:1111I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favor to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all. (Ecclesiastes 9:11)); bow and sling contests (1 Sam. 20:2020And I will shoot three arrows on the side thereof, as though I shot at a mark. (1 Samuel 20:20); Judg. 20:1616Among all this people there were seven hundred chosen men lefthanded; every one could sling stones at an hair breadth, and not miss. (Judges 20:16); 1 Chron. 12:22They were armed with bows, and could use both the right hand and the left in hurling stones and shooting arrows out of a bow, even of Saul's brethren of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 12:2)); dancing (Matt. 11:16-1716But whereunto shall I liken this generation? It is like unto children sitting in the markets, and calling unto their fellows, 17And saying, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned unto you, and ye have not lamented. (Matthew 11:16‑17)); joking (Prov. 26:1919So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport? (Proverbs 26:19); Jer. 15:1717I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of thy hand: for thou hast filled me with indignation. (Jeremiah 15:17)).

From Manners and Customs of the Bible:

There is allusion here to the habits of children, who, in the East as elsewhere, imitate in sport what they see performed in sober earnest by adults. The public processions and rejoicings on Oriental wedding occasions, and the great lamentations at funerals, make such an impression on the young mind that children introduce imitations of them into their plays. Some of them play on imaginary pipes, while others dance, as at weddings. Again, some of them set up an imitation of a mournful wail, to which others respond in doleful lamentations, as at funerals. Then at times there will be found some stubborn little ones, of perverse spirit, who will not consent to take part in any play that may be proposed. They will not dance while others pipe, neither will they lament when others mourn. They are determined not to be pleased in any way; they will play neither wedding nor funeral. Thus it was that the people would receive neither Jesus nor John; but, like perverse children, they refused to be satisfied with any proposition made to them.
Travelers have noticed that children in Palestine, at the present day, keep up this ancient custom of playing weddings and funerals.

Related Books and Articles:

659. Games of Children
Narrator: Chris Genthree
Duration: 2min