In the context of the Bible, the act of clapping is often associated with expressions of joy, celebration, and approval. While the Bible does not frequently mention clapping in the way modern cultures might understand it, there are instances where the act of clapping hands is used symbolically or literally to convey a message or emotion.

Biblical References:

1. Expressions of Joy and Celebration:
Clapping is sometimes used in the Bible as a metaphor for rejoicing and celebrating God's mighty works. In Psalm 47:1, the psalmist calls for a joyful expression: "Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout unto God with a voice of triumph." Here, clapping is an outward expression of inner joy and triumph, a call for all nations to acknowledge God's sovereignty and power.

2. Nature's Applause:
The Bible also uses the imagery of clapping in a poetic sense to describe nature's response to God's majesty. Isaiah 55:12 states, "You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." This passage uses clapping as a metaphor for the natural world's rejoicing and participation in God's redemptive plan.

3. Expressions of Derision or Judgment:
Clapping can also be an expression of derision or judgment. In Lamentations 2:15, the enemies of Jerusalem clap their hands in scorn: "All who pass by clap their hands at you; they scoff and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem: 'Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth?'" Here, clapping is used to mock and express disdain for the fallen city.

4. Symbol of Agreement or Covenant:
In some instances, clapping hands can symbolize agreement or the sealing of a covenant. While not explicitly mentioned in the context of clapping, the act of striking hands is seen in Proverbs 6:1 as a form of pledge or agreement: "My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge for a stranger."

Cultural and Historical Context:

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, clapping was a common practice in various social and religious contexts. It could signify approval, joy, or even mockery, depending on the situation. The biblical use of clapping reflects these cultural practices, often imbuing them with theological significance.

Theological Implications:

From a theological perspective, clapping in the Bible can be seen as an expression of worship and acknowledgment of God's authority. It serves as a physical manifestation of spiritual truths, whether in celebration of God's victories, acknowledgment of His creation, or recognition of His judgments. The act of clapping, therefore, becomes a way for believers to participate in the communal and cosmic acknowledgment of God's greatness and justice.

Practical Application:

In contemporary Christian worship, clapping is often used as a form of praise and celebration, reflecting the biblical themes of joy and triumph. It serves as a reminder of the communal aspect of worship, where believers join together in expressing their faith and gratitude to God. While the Bible provides various contexts for clapping, its use in worship today continues to be a meaningful expression of the believer's relationship with God and the community of faith.(v. t.) Variant of Clasp.5606. saphaq -- to slap, clap
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to slap, clap NASB Word Usage clap (2), claps
(1), smote (1), strike (2), strikes (1), struck together (1), wallow (1). ...
/hebrew/5606.htm - 6k

Melanchthon -- the Safety of the virtuous
... And, as we commonly say, "Where the pain is there one claps his hand," I could not,
in this so great affliction, make up my mind to turn my discourse upon any ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/melanchthon the safety of.htm

Letter iii. --To Ablabius .
... with it, and striking upon us with a very damp feeling, threatened such rain as
had never yet been known, and on the left there were continuous claps of thunder ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter iii to ablabius.htm

Dort. Glorious Conqueror.
... 2 Victor o'er death and hell, Cherubic legions swell The radiant strain; Praises
all heav'n inspire; Each angel sweeps his lyre, And claps his wings of fire ...
//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/150 dort 6s & 4s.htm

Purity.
... We hear the ocean furious or exulting. The thunder-claps are grand, or
angry, according to the different states of our mind. Nay ...
//christianbookshelf.org/robertson/sermons preached at brighton/x purity.htm

Moody's Stories
... is propped up at table, and at first perhaps it uses the spoon upside down, but
by and by it uses it all right, and mother, or perhaps sister, claps her hands ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/moodys stories/moodys stories.htm

The Blind Beggar
... opened. I think I see the poor man as he hears the story, he drinks it in,
claps his hands, and cries, "Then there is yet hope for me. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the blind beggar.htm

'Me a Christian!'
... He was a petty kinglet, permitted by the grace of Rome to live and to pose as if
he were the real thing, and yet he struts and claps his wings and crows on his ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/me a christian.htm

Paul's First Prayer
... The angel claps his wings, up he flies to heaven, and says, "Brethren angels, list
to me, Behold, he prayeth.'" Then they set heaven's bells ringing; they have ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/pauls first prayer.htm

Old Revival Hymns.
... worlds I steer, And seas are calm and skies are clear, And faith in lively exercise,
And distant hills of Canaan rise, My soul for joy then claps her wings ...
/.../brown/the story of the hymns and tunes/chapter vii old revival hymns.htm

Our Stronghold
... I see my wealth, like a flock of birds upon the fields, here one moment and gone
the next, for a passer-by claps his hand and everything takes to itself wings ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/our stronghold.htm

Claps (3 Occurrences)
... (vt) Variant of Clasp. Multi-Version Concordance Claps (3 Occurrences). ... He claps
his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God." (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/c/claps.htm - 7k

Multiplies (8 Occurrences)
... (WEB NAS RSV). Job 34:37 For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among
us, and multiplies his words against God." (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/m/multiplies.htm - 8k

Clapping (1 Occurrence)

/c/clapping.htm - 6k

Clarions (1 Occurrence)

/c/clarions.htm - 6k

Adds (9 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY NAS RSV NIV). Job 34:37 For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his
hands among us, and multiplies his words against God." (WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/a/adds.htm - 8k

Scornfully (3 Occurrences)
... (See JPS). Job 34:37 For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands
among us, and multiplies his words against God." (See NIV). ...
/s/scornfully.htm - 7k

Rebellion (51 Occurrences)
... (See NAS). Job 34:37 For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among
us, and multiplies his words against God." (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV) ...
/r/rebellion.htm - 22k

Add (135 Occurrences)
... sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."
(Root in WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Job ...
/a/add.htm - 39k

Do we ever reach a point that we cannot be forgiven (Nahum 3:19)? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of Nahum - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Why were infants dashed to pieces (Nahum 3:10)? | GotQuestions.org

Claps: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus