In the context of the Bible, the concept of "plays" as understood in modern theatrical terms is not directly addressed. However, the Bible does provide insights into various forms of entertainment and performance that can be related to the idea of plays.

Biblical References and Context

1. Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient times, particularly in Greek and Roman cultures, theatrical performances were common. These often included dramas, comedies, and tragedies performed in amphitheaters. While the Bible does not explicitly mention theatrical plays, it does provide glimpses into cultural practices that may have included performance arts.

2. Dance and Music: The Bible frequently mentions dance and music, which are integral components of theatrical performances. For example, in Exodus 15:20-21, Miriam the prophetess leads the women 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.'"

3. Celebrations and Festivals: The Israelites celebrated various festivals that included elements of performance, such as singing and dancing. In 2 Samuel 6:14-15, King David is described as dancing before the Lord with all his might during the procession of the Ark of the Covenant: "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 sounding of the ram’s horn."

4. Parables and Storytelling: Jesus often used parables as a form of storytelling to convey spiritual truths. While not theatrical plays, these parables were a form of narrative performance that engaged listeners and illustrated moral and spiritual lessons. For instance, the Parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37 is a powerful account that teaches about compassion and neighborly love.

5. Moral and Ethical Considerations: The Bible emphasizes the importance of maintaining moral integrity and avoiding practices that lead to idolatry or immorality. In 1 Corinthians 10:31, Paul advises, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." This principle can be applied to the consumption and participation in entertainment, including plays, encouraging believers to engage in activities that honor God.

6. Warnings Against Idolatry and Immorality: The Bible warns against engaging in activities that promote idolatry or immorality. In Ephesians 5:11, Paul instructs, "Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." This caution can be extended to forms of entertainment that may lead believers away from their faith or promote ungodly values.

Conclusion

While the Bible does not explicitly mention theatrical plays, it provides principles that can guide believers in their engagement with entertainment. The emphasis on moral integrity, the celebration of God through music and dance, and the use of storytelling for teaching are all relevant to understanding how plays and performances can align with biblical values.2790. kitharodos -- one who plays and sings to the lyre
... one who plays and sings to the lyre. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
kitharodos Phonetic Spelling: (kith-ar-o'-dos) Short Definition: a harpist ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2790.htm - 6k2181. zanah -- to commit fornication, be a harlot
... harlots (5), making her a harlot (1), play the harlot (18), play the harlot continually
(1), played the harlot (24), playing the harlot (3), plays the harlot (1 ...
/hebrew/2181.htm - 6k

5059. nagan -- to touch or play a stringed instrument
... instrument NASB Word Usage minstrel (1), minstrel played (1), musician (1), musicians
(1), play (5), play songs (1), player (1), playing (2), plays (1), pluck ...
/hebrew/5059.htm - 6k

Of the Scenic Plays, the Celebration of which the Gods have ...
... Book IV. Chapter 26."Of the Scenic Plays, the Celebration of Which the Gods
Have Exacted from Their Worshippers. "But," says Cicero ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 26 of the scenic plays.htm

That the Obscenities of those Plays which the Romans Consecrated ...
... Chapter 27."That the Obscenities of Those Plays Which the Romans Consecrated in
Order to Propitiate Their Gods, Contributed Largely to the Overthrow of ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 27 that the obscenities of.htm

That Plato, who Excluded Poets from a Well-Ordered City, was ...
... Book II. Chapter 14."That Plato, Who Excluded Poets from a Well-Ordered City, Was
Better Than These Gods Who Desire to Be Honoured by Theatrical Plays. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 14 that plato who excluded.htm

Members of the Priesthood and of the Clergy must not Witness the ...
... Canon LIV. Members of the priesthood and of the clergy must not witness
the plays at weddings? Members of the priesthood and of ...
/.../schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/canon liv members of the.htm

Modern Library Giants
... G10. TWELVE FAMOUS RESTORATION PLAYS (1660-1820) (Congreve, Wycherley, Gay, Goldsmith,
Sheridan, etc.) G11. ... G17. THE POEMS AND PLAYS OF ROBERT BROWNING. G18. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/modern library giants.htm

Modern Library of the World's Best Books
... JOSEPH Heart of Darkness (In Great Modern Short Stories 168) CONRAD, JOSEPH Lord
Jim 186 CONRAD, JOSEPH Victory 186 CORNEILLE and RACINE Six Plays of Corneille ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/modern library of the worlds.htm

That the Greeks Admitted Players to Offices of State, on the ...
... It was a part of this same reasonableness of the Greeks which induced them to bestow
upon the actors of these same plays no inconsiderable civic honors. ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 11 that the greeks admitted.htm

That the Romans Should have Understood that Gods who Desired to be ...
... Thus the Romans, though they were superstitious enough to serve as gods those who
made no secret of their desire to be worshipped in licentious plays, yet had ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 13 that the romans should.htm

Concerning the Opinion of Plato, According to which He Defined the ...
... things proves that they are bad. For it is well-known what Plato's opinion
was concerning scenic plays. He thinks that the poets ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 13 concerning the opinion of.htm

Letter vii. Tact --Unobtrusiveness.
... A company of educated people sat down at table together, and the conversation happened
to turn on the question of the authorship of Shakespeare's plays. ...
/.../letter vii tactunobtrusiveness.htm

Plays (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Plays (4 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 16:17 And Saul
said unto his servants: 'Provide me now a man that can play ...
/p/plays.htm - 7k

Player (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) One who plays, or amuses himself; one without
serious aims; an idler; a trifler. 2. (n.) One who plays any game. ...
/p/player.htm - 8k

Yoke-fellow (1 Occurrence)
... It is obvious to compare the way in which the apostle plays upon the name Onesimus,
in Philemon 1:11. John Rutherfurd. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/y/yoke-fellow.htm - 9k

Yokefellow
... as in name. It is obvious to compare the way in which the apostle plays
upon the name Onesimus, in Philemon 1:11. John Rutherfurd. ...
/y/yokefellow.htm - 9k

Jezreel (37 Occurrences)
... 2:9). From Jezreel came the tidings of Saul and Jonathan's death on Gilboa, which
brought disaster to Mephibosheth (2 Samuel 4:4). The city plays no important ...
/j/jezreel.htm - 27k

Lap (12 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The loose part of a coat; the lower part
of a garment that plays loosely; a skirt; an apron. 2 ...
/l/lap.htm - 15k

Leader (183 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) A performer who leads a band or choir in music; also, in an orchestra, the
principal violinist; the one who plays at the head of the first violins. ...
/l/leader.htm - 35k

World (2829 Occurrences)
... The word actually plays nearly the same part as "globe" with us, denoting man's
material dwelling-place, as simply as possible, without moral suggestions. ...
/w/world.htm - 40k

Trachonitis (1 Occurrence)
... of the wilderness. It therefore plays no part in the history. These are
the two Trachons of Strabo (xvi.2, 20). They are entirely ...
/t/trachonitis.htm - 13k

Eschatology
... The subject of eschatology plays a prominent part in New Testament teaching and
religion. Christianity in its very origin bears an eschatological character. ...
/e/eschatology.htm - 70k

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