In the Bible, dance is depicted as a form of expression that can convey joy, celebration, worship, and sometimes even idolatry. Dance is mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, reflecting both positive and negative connotations depending on the circumstances and intentions behind it.

Old Testament References

1. Celebration and Worship: Dance is often associated with joy and celebration in the Old Testament. One of the most notable instances is when Miriam, the sister of Moses, led the women of Israel in dance 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" (Exodus 15:20). This dance was an expression of gratitude and worship to God for their deliverance from the Egyptians.

2. David’s Dance: King David is famously known for dancing before the Lord with all his might as the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem. "And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD" (2 Samuel 6:14). This act of dance was a demonstration of David’s exuberant worship and reverence for God, though it was met with disdain by his wife Michal.

3. Festive Occasions: Dance was also a part of festive occasions and celebrations. In the parable of the prodigal son, the father’s joy at his son’s return is marked by music and dancing: "So he returned home to his father. But while he was still in the distance, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him" (Luke 15:20). Although this specific verse does not mention dance, the context of celebration implies its presence.

4. Idolatrous Practices: Dance is not always portrayed positively in the Scriptures. When Moses descended from Mount Sinai, he found the Israelites dancing around the golden calf, an act of idolatry and rebellion against God. "When Joshua heard the sound of the people shouting, he said to Moses, 'The sound of war is in the camp.' But Moses replied: 'It is neither the cry of victory nor the cry of defeat; I hear the sound of singing!'" (Exodus 32:17-18). This incident highlights how dance can be misused in the context of idol worship.

New Testament References

1. Cultural Practices: In the New Testament, dance is less frequently mentioned, but it appears in cultural contexts. For example, Herodias’s daughter danced before Herod, which pleased him and led to the beheading of John the Baptist. "On Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod" (Matthew 14:6). This dance, while culturally acceptable, was part of a narrative that led to a tragic outcome.

2. Symbolic Joy: Dance is also used symbolically to represent joy and restoration. In the parable of the lost sheep, the shepherd’s joy is akin to a celebration that could include dancing, reflecting the heavenly joy over one sinner who repents.

Cultural and Theological Implications

Dance in biblical times was a communal activity, often accompanied by music and singing. It was a natural expression of emotion, whether in worship, celebration, or cultural festivities. The Bible does not provide explicit instructions regarding dance, but its context and purpose are crucial in determining its appropriateness. Dance that honors God and aligns with His commandments is viewed positively, while dance associated with idolatry or immorality is condemned.

In summary, dance in the Bible serves as a multifaceted expression of human emotion and devotion, reflecting the heart's intent and the cultural context in which it occurs.4246. mecholah -- a dance
... of machol Definition a dance NASB Word Usage dance (1), danced (1), dances (2),
dancing (4). ... Feminine of machashabah; a dance -- company, dances(-cing). ...
/hebrew/4246.htm - 6k

4234. machol -- a dance
... Word Origin from chul Definition a dance NASB Word Usage dance (1), dances (1),
dancing (4). dancing. From chuwl; a (round) dance -- dance(-cing). ...
/hebrew/4234.htm - 6k

Christians, when they Attend Weddings, must not Join in Wanton ...
... The Canons of the Blessed and Holy Fathers Assembled at Antioch in Syria. Canon
LIII. Christians, when they attend weddings, must not join in wanton dances? ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon liii christians when they.htm

Dancing.
... person. One may attend many dances, and he himself not see these results
marked in his character, but some one else will see them. ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/iv dancing.htm

Labors in a New Field
... But when she saw that Father B"" drank whiskey and chewed tobacco, she became
discouraged and took to attending parties and dances. ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xi labors in a.htm

The Statue of the Empress; what Happened There; the Teaching of ...
... was placed upon a column of porphyry on a high platform, [1610] and the event was
celebrated there with applause and popular spectacles of dances and mimes, as ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xx the statue of the.htm

St. Ambrose Teaches Out of the Prophet Isaiah what they must do ...
... who have fallen. Then referring to our Lord's proverbial expression respecting
piping and dancing, he condemns dances. Next by the ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter vi st ambrose teaches.htm

The So-Called Calends, and what are Called Bota and Brumalia...
... And also the public dances of women, which may do much harm and mischief.
Moreover we drive away from the life of Christians the ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon lxii the so-called calends.htm

The Races --A Letter
... A few centuries hence may not both of them be looked back on as equally
sheer barbarisms? These tom-tom dances are not easily seen. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter xv the racesa letter.htm

On the Public Shows.
... before the ark. We read of psalteries, horns, [4821] trumpets, drums, pipes,
harps, and choral dances. Moreover, the apostle, in ...
/.../on the public shows.htm

Celts and Celtophiles
... the fairies. Its trend is to make the Irish seem weird and wild because
they sing old songs and join in strange dances. But this ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xiii celts and celtophiles.htm

The Seventh Commandment
... Instrumenta luxuriae tripudia [Dances are instruments of wantonness]. ... We read of
dances in Scripture, but they were sober and modeExodus 15:20. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 7 the seventh commandment.htm

Dances (8 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Dances (8 Occurrences). Exodus 15:20 Miriam the
prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her ...
/d/dances.htm - 9k

Dance (18 Occurrences)
... Judges 21:21, 23; Psalm 30:11; 149:3; 150:4; Jeremiah 31:4, 13, etc., as the
translation of hul, which points to the whirling motion of Oriental sacred dances. ...
/d/dance.htm - 15k

Timbrels (9 Occurrences)
... Exodus 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her
hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. ...
/t/timbrels.htm - 9k

Tambourines (13 Occurrences)
... Exodus 15:20 Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her
hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances. ...
/t/tambourines.htm - 10k

Dancing (21 Occurrences)
... Exodus 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her
hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. ...
/d/dancing.htm - 13k

Tambours (8 Occurrences)
... Exodus 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the tambour in
her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambours and with dances. ...
/t/tambours.htm - 9k

Games (2 Occurrences)
... by the tambourine with which the maidens of Israel, led by Jephthah's daughter,
met that leader after his victory (Judges 11:34), and the dances of the ...
/g/games.htm - 40k

Thousands (65 Occurrences)
... Didn't they sing one to another about him in dances, saying,'Saul has slain his
thousands, David his ten thousands?'" (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV ...
/t/thousands.htm - 29k

Vineyards (55 Occurrences)
... Judges 21:21 and see, and behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in
the dances, then come out of the vineyards, and each man catch his wife of ...
/v/vineyards.htm - 25k

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