In the Bible, dancing is depicted as a form of expression that can convey joy, celebration, and worship, as well as idolatry and moral decline. The context in which dancing occurs often determines its moral and spiritual implications.

Old Testament References

Dancing is frequently mentioned in the Old Testament, often associated with joy and celebration. One of the earliest references is found in Exodus 15:20-21, where Miriam, the sister of Moses, leads the women of Israel in dance and song after the crossing of the Red Sea: "Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. And Miriam sang back to them: 'Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.'" .

In Judges 11:34, Jephthah's daughter comes out to meet him with tambourines and dancing, a customary expression of joy and victory. Similarly, in 1 Samuel 18:6, women from all the towns of Israel came out to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and tambourines, after David's victory over the Philistine.

Dancing also appears in the context of worship and religious festivals. In 2 Samuel 6:14, King David famously "danced before the LORD with all his might" as the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. This act of worship, however, was met with disdain by his wife Michal, who criticized him for his undignified behavior (2 Samuel 6:16, 20-23).

Conversely, dancing is sometimes associated with idolatry and moral corruption. In Exodus 32:19, when Moses descends from Mount Sinai and sees the Israelites dancing around the golden calf, he is filled with anger, recognizing their actions as a breach of their covenant with God.

New Testament References

The New Testament contains fewer references to dancing, but it is mentioned in the context of celebration and joy. In the parable of the prodigal son, Jesus describes a scene of festivity upon the son's return: "So they began to celebrate. Meanwhile, the older son was in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and dancing" (Luke 15:24-25).

However, dancing is also depicted in a negative light in the account of Herod's birthday banquet. Herodias's daughter dances before Herod, pleasing him and his guests, which leads to the beheading of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:6-8, Mark 6:22-25).

Cultural and Theological Considerations

In biblical times, dancing was a common cultural expression, often accompanied by music and singing. It was a communal activity, reflecting the emotions and spiritual state of the people. While dancing could be an expression of worship and joy, it could also signify moral and spiritual decline when associated with idolatry or inappropriate behavior.

From a theological perspective, the Bible does not categorically condemn dancing. Instead, it emphasizes the intentions and context behind the act. When done in a spirit of worship and reverence, dancing is portrayed positively. However, when it leads to or is associated with sin, it is viewed negatively.

In contemporary Christian practice, views on dancing vary widely. Some denominations embrace it as a form of worship and celebration, while others caution against it due to its potential for leading to moral compromise. Ultimately, the biblical portrayal of dancing serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning one's actions with the values and teachings of Scripture.4264. machaneh -- an encampment, camp
... From chanah; an encampment (of travellers or troops); hence, an army, whether literal
(of soldiers) or figurative (of dancers, angels, cattle, locusts, stars ...
/hebrew/4264.htm - 6k

Dancers.
... DANCERS. A sect which sprung up, about 1373, in Flanders, and places about.
It was their custom all of a sudden to fall a-dancing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/dancers.htm

Dancing.
... and in war. With the savages the dancers work themselves into a perfect frenzy,
into a kind of mental intoxication. But as civilization ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/iv dancing.htm

Conflict Between the Christians and Jews at Alexandria: and Breach ...
... the Jews being disengaged from business on the Sabbath, and spending their time,
not in hearing the Law, but in theatrical amusements, dancers usually collect ...
/.../chapter xiii conflict between the christians.htm

For, to Begin with what is Important, what Advantage is it to the ...
... What, that there are orators, grammarians, poets, writers, logicians, musicians,
ballet-dancers, mimics, actors, singers, trumpeters, flute and reed players? ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/38 for to begin with.htm

Women who Witnessed the Fall of Rome
... No fewer than three thousand female dancers were occupied in the theatres of
Rome. At a time of famine when all strangers were banished ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/vii women who witnessed the.htm

1 Timothy ii. 10-Aug
... ambition? Away with such hypocrisy! God is not mocked! This is the attire
of actors and dancers, that live upon the stage. Nothing ...
/.../homily viii 1 timothy ii.htm

Ephesians iv. 32 and v. 1, 2
... 4.); and dost thou laugh and play? It is war-time, and art thou handling
the dancers' instruments? Look at the countenances of men ...
/.../homily xvii ephesians iv 32.htm

1 Timothy iii. 10-Aug
... rich. Actors and dancers may ride on horseback with a servant running before
them, yet are they but actors and dancers still. Their ...
/.../homily xi 1 timothy iii.htm

The Book of Religions
... MAHOMETANS. SIMONIANS. PAGANS. SATANIANS. ABELIANS, OR ABELONIANS. SUPRALAPSARIANS.
DANCERS. EPICUREANS. SKEPTICS. WICKLIFFITES. DIGGERS. ZUINGLIANS. SEEKERS. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hayward/the book of religions/

The Way of Transgressors.
... The rooms were crowded, and the air in them so warm as to cause the perspiration
to start from the fair brows of the merry dancers, among whom none was more ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arthur/words for the wise/the way of transgressors.htm

Dancers (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dancers (3 Occurrences). ... Psalms 87:7 The players on
instruments will be there, and the dancers will say, All my springs are in you. ...
/d/dancers.htm - 7k

Danced (7 Occurrences)

/d/danced.htm - 8k

Dances (8 Occurrences)

/d/dances.htm - 9k

Ringleader (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The leader of a circle of dancers; hence, the
leader of a number of persons acting together; the leader of a herd of animals. ...
/r/ringleader.htm - 7k

Rebuilt (47 Occurrences)
... Judges 21:23 And the Benjaminites did so, and took their wives, according to their
number, from the dancers whom they carried off; then they went and returned ...
/r/rebuilt.htm - 20k

David's (142 Occurrences)
... their coming in, in David's returning from smiting the Philistine, that the women
come out from all the cities of Israel to sing -- also the dancers -- to meet ...
/d/david's.htm - 37k

Chorus (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) A band of singers and dancers. 2. (n.)
A company of persons supposed to behold what passed in ...
/c/chorus.htm - 8k

Returning (37 Occurrences)
... their coming in, in David's returning from smiting the Philistine, that the women
come out from all the cities of Israel to sing -- also the dancers -- to meet ...
/r/returning.htm - 17k

Benjaminites (32 Occurrences)
... Judges 21:23 And the Benjaminites did so, and took their wives, according to their
number, from the dancers whom they carried off; then they went and returned ...
/b/benjaminites.htm - 16k

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