Processions in the Bible are significant events that often symbolize celebration, worship, or the solemn movement of people or sacred objects. These events are marked by a sense of communal participation and are frequently accompanied by music, singing, and other forms of expression.

Old Testament Processions

1. The Ark of the Covenant: One of the most notable processions in the Old Testament is the movement of the Ark of the Covenant. In 2 Samuel 6, King David organizes a grand procession to bring the Ark to Jerusalem. The event is marked by music, dancing, and offerings. David himself dances before the Lord with all his might, demonstrating the joy and reverence associated with the Ark's presence. The Berean Standard Bible records, "David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, and he was wearing a linen ephod" (2 Samuel 6:14).

2. The Exodus: The departure of the Israelites from Egypt is a monumental procession led by Moses. This event is not only a physical journey but also a spiritual one, symbolizing liberation and divine guidance. The Israelites' procession through the Red Sea, as described in Exodus 14, is a powerful testament to God's deliverance.

3. Festivals and Celebrations: Various Jewish festivals involved processions, such as the Feast of Tabernacles. During these times, the Israelites would process to the temple, bringing offerings and singing psalms. Psalm 68:24-25 captures the essence of such celebrations: "They have seen Your procession, O God—the procession of my God and King into the sanctuary. The singers lead the way, the musicians follow after, among the maidens playing tambourines."

New Testament Processions

1. Triumphal Entry: Jesus' entry into Jerusalem is a significant New Testament procession. As recorded in the Gospels, Jesus rides into the city on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. The crowd lays down palm branches and cloaks, shouting, "Hosanna!" This event, celebrated as Palm Sunday, marks the beginning of Holy Week and signifies Jesus' messianic kingship. Matthew 21:9 states, "The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: 'Hosanna to the Son of David!'"

2. Processions in Worship: The early Christian church also embraced processions as part of their worship practices. While the New Testament does not provide detailed accounts of these events, the communal gatherings and shared meals, such as the Lord's Supper, can be seen as processional in nature, reflecting unity and fellowship among believers.

Symbolism and Significance

Processions in the Bible often symbolize a journey towards God, a movement from one spiritual state to another, or the communal expression of faith and devotion. They are moments of divine encounter, where the physical act of moving together reflects a deeper spiritual reality. Whether celebrating God's presence, as with the Ark, or acknowledging Jesus' kingship, as in the Triumphal Entry, processions serve as powerful expressions of faith and worship throughout biblical history.

Whether There are More than Two Processions in God?
... TREATISE ON THE MOST HOLY TRINITY (QQ -43)THE PROCESSION OF THE DIVINE PERSONS
(FIVE ARTICLES) Whether there are more than two processions in God? ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether there are more than.htm

Processions, Benediction, 40 Hours'
... No. 241a PROCESSIONS, BENEDICTION, 40 HOURS'. PROCESSIONS, BENEDICTION, 40 HOURS'
Pange Lingua (No.1) (Tantum Ergo). Gregorian Vatican Graduale. Third Mode. ...
/.../no 241a processions benediction 40.htm

Whether to Create is Proper to any Person?
... Therefore the processions of the divine Persons are the cause of the
processions of things, and so to create belongs to a Person. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether to create is proper.htm

Whether in God There are Only Four Real Relations ---Paternity ...
... follows that real relations in God can be understood only in regard to those actions
according to which there are internal, and not external, processions in God ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in god there are 2.htm

Whether any Name Can be Applied to God Substantially?
... i): "You will find a chorus of holy doctors addressed to the end of distinguishing
clearly and praiseworthily the divine processions in the denomination of God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether any name can be.htm

Antiphonal Hymns against the Arians Introduced by John. The ...
... The orthodox became more distinguished, and in a short time surpassed the opposing
heretics in number and processions; for they had silver crosses and lighted ...
/.../chapter viii antiphonal hymns against the.htm

Whether any Other Procession Exists in God Besides that of the ...
... procession of the Word. I answer that, There are two processions in God;
the procession of the Word, and another. In evidence whereof ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether any other procession exists.htm

Whether There are Real Relations in God?
... Therefore as the divine processions are in the identity of the same nature, as above
explained ([237]Q[27], AA[2],4), these relations, according to the divine ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether there are real relations.htm

The Ten virgins.
... performed at night. They consisted in a great measure of processions along
the road and festivals within the dwelling. The out-door ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xiii the ten virgins.htm

Manifold Struggles
... They began to inaugurate nightly processions, which marched through the streets
and colonnades chanting in antiphon the strange theological hymns of Arius. ...
/.../chapter xxii manifold struggles.htm

Processions (2 Occurrences)
...Processions (2 Occurrences). ... (DBY YLT). Psalms 68:24 They have seen your processions,
God, even the processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary. (WEB RSV) ...
/p/processions.htm - 7k

Procession (11 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 68:24 They have seen your processions, God, even the
processions of my God, my King, into the sanctuary. (Root in WEB NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/procession.htm - 10k

Music (143 Occurrences)
... exertion. Processions, as eg marriages (1 Maccabees 9:39) and funerals
(2 Chronicles 35:25), were regulated in a similar way. The ...
/m/music.htm - 78k

Flat (33 Occurrences)
... a platform car. 19. (n.) A platform on wheel, upon which emblematic designs,
etc., are carried in processions. 20. (n.) The flat ...
/f/flat.htm - 21k

Dung-gate (4 Occurrences)
... Nehemiah 12:31 And I brought up the princes of Judah upon the wall, and appointed
two great choirs and processions, on the right hand upon the wall towards the ...
/d/dung-gate.htm - 8k

Dionysia
... The celebration consisted of feasts, processions, songs and (sometimes) scenic
performances. The Ascolia formed one of the most prominent features. ...
/d/dionysia.htm - 10k

Dionysus
... of living creatures. Hence, the prominence given to the phallus in the solemn
processions in honor of the god. Nicanor (2 Maccabees ...
/d/dionysus.htm - 9k

Prochorus (1 Occurrence)

/p/prochorus.htm - 7k

Cope (1 Occurrence)
... It is worn in processions and on some other occasions. 4. (n.) An ancient tribute
due to the lord of the soil, out of the lead mines in Derbyshire, England. ...
/c/cope.htm - 7k

Chariot (102 Occurrences)
... be with them.". Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) A two-wheeled car or
vehicle for war, racing, state processions, etc. 2. (n.) A ...
/c/chariot.htm - 55k

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