In biblical times, the concept of a parade, as understood in contemporary terms, is not explicitly mentioned. However, the Bible does describe various processions and public displays that share similarities with modern parades. These events often held significant religious, cultural, or military importance.

Religious Processions

One of the most notable processions in the Bible is the transportation of the Ark of the Covenant. King David organized a grand procession to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. This event was marked by music, dancing, and celebration. In 2 Samuel 6:14-15 , it is recorded: "And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD, while he and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sound of the trumpets." This procession was a public display of worship and reverence for God, highlighting the Ark's central role in Israel's spiritual life.

Military Processions

Military processions were also significant in biblical narratives. Victorious kings and armies would often return from battle in a triumphant procession. These events were occasions for celebrating military success and demonstrating power. In 1 Samuel 18:6-7 , after David's victory over Goliath, it is described: "As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul, singing and dancing with tambourines, with joy, and with three-stringed instruments. And as the women danced, they sang out: 'Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.'"

Cultural and Civic Processions

The Bible also records processions that were part of cultural or civic events. For example, in the book of Esther, Mordecai is honored with a public parade through the city streets. In Esther 6:11 , it is written: "So Haman got the robe and the horse. He robed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city streets, proclaiming before him, 'This is what is done for the man whom the king is delighted to honor!'"

Symbolic Processions

Symbolic processions are also present in biblical prophecy and apocalyptic literature. In Revelation, the imagery of processions is used to convey spiritual truths and future events. Revelation 19:11-16 describes a heavenly procession led by Christ: "Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. The armies of heaven, dressed in fine linen, white and pure, follow Him on white horses."

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly mention parades as understood today, it does describe various processions that served religious, military, cultural, and symbolic purposes. These events were significant in the life of ancient Israel and the early Christian church, reflecting the values and beliefs of the biblical world.1. (n.) The ground where a military display is held, or where troops are drilled.

2. (n.) An assembly and orderly arrangement or display of troops, in full equipments, for inspection or evolutions before some superior officer; a review of troops. Parades are general, regimental, or private (troop, battery, or company), according to the force assembled.

3. (v. t.) Pompous show; formal display or exhibition.

4. (v. t.) That which is displayed; a show; a spectacle; an imposing procession; the movement of any body marshaled in military order; as, a parade of firemen.

5. (v. t.) Posture of defense; guard.

6. (n.) A public walk; a promenade.

7. (v. t.) To exhibit in a showy or ostentatious manner; to show off.

8. (v. t.) To assemble and form; to marshal; to cause to maneuver or march ceremoniously; as, to parade troops.

9. (v. i.) To make an exhibition or spectacle of one's self, as by walking in a public place.

10. (v. i.) To assemble in military order for evolutions and inspection; to form or march, as in review.

Another Part of My Smoke' which You Frequently Laugh at is My ...
... 31. Another part of my smoke' which you frequently laugh at is my pretence, as you
say, to know what I do not know, and the parade I make of great teachers to ...
/.../31 another part of my.htm

As Regards Our Reverend Friend Epiphanius, this is Strange ...
... you. This is the garland of praise which he gives you to parade in. ... you. This
is the garland of praise which he gives you to parade in. ...
/.../23 as regards our reverend.htm

Whether Humility Has to do with the Appetite?
... De Affectibus] assigns humility to outward show; for he says that humility is "the
habit of avoiding excessive expenditure and parade." Therefore it is not ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether humility has to do.htm

A Song of Deliverance
... Think of what a regiment of soldiers on parade does as each file passes in front
of the saluting point where the commanding officer is standing. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/a song of deliverance 2.htm

The visit to Media.
... value to the fine clothes and gay trappings with which his grandfather was disposed
to adorn him, and to all the other external marks of parade and display ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/cyrus the great/chapter iii the visit to.htm

Match-Making.
... When all is adorned with flowers and smiles, and the parlor becomes the theater
of conviviality and parade, even then hearts are oppressed with sorrow at the ...
/.../philips/the christian home/chapter xxiii match-making.htm

Crossing the Hellespont.
... Dejection of the army."Mode of enlistment."Condition of the soldiers."Privations
and hardships."Storm on Mount Ida."Abydos."Parade of the troops ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/xerxes/chapter v crossing the hellespont.htm

The Procession of Amen
... Now that the chief luminaries of the procession had passed, the rich and lofty departed
with a great show of indifference to the rest of the parade. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter iv the procession of.htm

Concluding Remarks on the Importance of Orthodoxy
... The Salvationist at the Marble Arch may be bigoted, but he is not too bigoted to
yearn from a common human kinship after the dandy on church parade. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chesterton/heretics/xx concluding remarks on the.htm

Travel. A Personal Experience.
... streak of lightning.". Saturday evening, July 8th, witnessed the greatest
military parade in London for thirty years. The Prince ...
/.../ix travel a personal experience.htm

Parade (1 Occurrence)
... 4. (vt) That which is displayed; a show; a spectacle; an imposing procession; the
movement of any body marshaled in military order; as, a parade of firemen. ...
/p/parade.htm - 7k

Flourish (26 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To make bold and sweeping, fanciful, or wanton movements, by way of ornament,
parade, bravado, etc.; to play with fantastic and irregular motion. ...
/f/flourish.htm - 18k

Muster (9 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) An assembling or review of troops, as for parade, verification of
numbers, inspection, exercise, or introduction into service. ...
/m/muster.htm - 10k

Display (30 Occurrences)
... 4. (vt) To make an exhibition of; to set in view conspicuously or
ostentatiously; to exhibit for the sake of publicity; to parade. ...
/d/display.htm - 15k

Paraclete

/p/paraclete.htm - 17k

Gift (148 Occurrences)
... The mode of presentation was with as much parade as possible: the presents were
conveyed by the hands of servants (Judges 3:18), or still better, on the backs ...
/g/gift.htm - 59k

Dash (30 Occurrences)
... 12. (n.) Energy in style or action; animation; spirit. 13. (n.) A vain show; a
blustering parade; a flourish; as, to make or cut a great dash. 14. ...
/d/dash.htm - 19k

Mart (2 Occurrences)
... of an employer with whom he might bargain for his services, usually by the day
(Matthew 20:1-16); (3) a place where the proud pretender could parade in long ...
/m/mart.htm - 11k

Military (44 Occurrences)
... Of or pertaining to soldiers, to arms, or to war; belonging to, engaged in, or
appropriate to, the affairs Of war; as, a military parade; military discipline ...
/m/military.htm - 21k

Marketplace (8 Occurrences)
... of an employer with whom he might bargain for his services, usually by the day
(Matthew 20:1-16); (3) a place where the proud pretender could parade in long ...
/m/marketplace.htm - 13k

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