Reference: Dance
Easton
found in Jg 21:21,23; Ps 30:11; 149:3; 150:4; Jer 31:4,13, etc., as the translation of hul, which points to the whirling motion of Oriental sacred dances. It is the rendering of a word (rakad') which means to skip or leap for joy, in Ec 3:4; Job 21:11; Isa 13:21, etc.
In the New Testament it is in like manner the translation of different Greek words, circular motion (Lu 15:25); leaping up and down in concert (Mt 11:17), and by a single person (Mt 14:6).
It is spoken of as symbolical of rejoicing (Ec 3:4. Comp. Ps 30:11; Mt 11:17). The Hebrews had their sacred dances expressive of joy and thanksgiving, when the performers were usually females (Ex 15:20; 1Sa 18:6).
The ancient dance was very different from that common among Western nations. It was usually the part of the women only (Ex 15:20; Jg 11:34; comp. Jg 5:1). Hence the peculiarity of David's conduct in dancing before the ark of the Lord (2Sa 6:14). The women took part in it with their timbrels. Michal should, in accordance with the example of Miriam and others, have herself led the female choir, instead of keeping aloof on the occasion and "looking through the window." David led the choir "uncovered", i.e., wearing only the ephod or linen tunic. He thought only of the honour of God, and forgot himself.
From being reserved for occasions of religious worship and festivity, it came gradually to be practised in common life on occasions of rejoicing (Jer 31:4). The sexes among the Jews always danced separately. The daughter of Herodias danced alone (Mt 14:6).
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And Miriam, a prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women came out after her with timbrels in a dance.
And Miriam, a prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women came out after her with timbrels in a dance.
Then Deborah, and Barak the son of Abinoam, sang the same day, saying,
Then Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house. And see, his daughter came out against him, with timbrels and dances, which was his only child: so that beside her he had neither son nor daughter.
And when ye see that the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in a row, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man a wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and get you unto the land of Benjamin."
And the children of Benjamin did even so: and took them wives according to the number of them of the dancers which they caught. And then they went and returned unto their inheritance, and built their cities and dwelt in them.
And David danced before the LORD with all his might, in a linen ephod gird unto him.
They send forth their children by flocks, and their sons lead the dance.
Thou hast turned my heaviness into joy; thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.
Thou hast turned my heaviness into joy; thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.
Let them praise his name in the dance, let them sing praises unto him with tabret and harp.
Praise him in the cymbals and dances; praise him upon the strings and pipe.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
but wild beasts shall lie there, and the houses shall be full of great owls. Ostriches shall dwell there, and apes shall dance there:
I will repair thee again, O thou daughter of Israel, that thou mayest be fast and sure. Thou shalt take thy tabrets again, and go forth, with them that lead the dance.
I will repair thee again, O thou daughter of Israel, that thou mayest be fast and sure. Thou shalt take thy tabrets again, and go forth, with them that lead the dance.
Then shall the maid rejoice in the dance, yea both young and old folks. For I will turn their sorrow into gladness, and will comfort them and make them joyful, even from their hearts.
and say, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; We have mourned unto you, and ye have not sorrowed.
and say, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; We have mourned unto you, and ye have not sorrowed.
But when Herod's birthday was come, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
But when Herod's birthday was come, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
The elder brother was in the field, and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard minstrelsy, and dancing,
Fausets
machol, literally, moving or leaping in a circle. Gesenius however translates machalath "a stringed instrument," and machol "dancing" Mendelssohn makes machol, "a hollow musical instrument" (Ps 150:4, margin) Expressing joy, as contrasted with mourning (Ec 3:4; Ps 30:11). The woman nearest of kin to the champion in some national triumph or thanksgiving, and who had a kind of public character with her own sex, led a choir of women; as Miriam (Ex 15:1-20) (while Moses led the men), Jephthah's daughter (Jg 11:34), Deborah (Judges 5) (while Barak led the men). Some song or refrain in antiphonal answer. forming the burden of the song, accompanied the dance (Ex 32:18-19; 1Sa 18:7; 21:11). The women are represented as "coming out" to do this and meet the hero.
Miriam went out before "Jehovah, the Man of war" (Ex 15:3,20-21), and answered the entire chorus. But the women glorifying Saul and David, having no leader, "answered one another." The special feature of David's conduct before the returning ark (2Sa 6:5-22) is that he was choir leader, the women with their timbrels (2Sa 6:5,19-20,22) taking a prominent part. Michal ought to have led them; but jealousy of David's other wives, married while she was with Phaltiel, and attachment to the latter (2Sa 3:15-16), and the feeling that David's zeal rebuked her apathy, led her to "come out to meet" him with sneers not songs.
The dance necessitated his taking off his royal upper robes to "dance with all his might." This she called "uncovering himself in the eyes of the handmaids." His leading thought was to do honor to God who had delivered him from all his enemies (1Ch 13:8,14; 2Sa 6:21-23). Enthusiasm was kindled by these religious dances, which enlisted at once the tongue and the other members of the body in acts of worship; which explains Ps 35:10. David says, "All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto Thee?" the very language that the Israelites, while the women danced to the Lord, uttered as their song after the Red Sea deliverance (Ex 15:11). The dance, however, was generally left to women (Jg 21:19-23). It is mentioned as a censure on their looseness that "the people rose up to play" at Aaron's calf festival (Ex 32:6; 1Co 10:7), also that the Amalekites were "dancing" (1Sa 30:16).
The woman leader usually in the East leads off the dance, and the other women exactly follow her graceful movements. In Song 6:13 allusion possibly is made in the "two armies" to two rows of female dancers vis-avis in performing; but the spiritual sense refers to the two parts of the one church army, the militant and the triumphant. Dancing accompanied festivity of a secular kind (Jer 31:4,13; La 5:15; Lu 15:25), especially that of women and children (Job 21:11; Mt 11:17). Dancing by men and women together was unknown; as indeed the oriental seclusion of women from men would alone have sufficed to make it seem indecorous. Maimonides says that in the joyous Feast of Tabernacles the women danced separately in an apartment above, and the men danced below. Herod's extravagant promise to Herodias' daughter shows that it was a rare deed in those regions (Mr 6:22-23).
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Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song unto the LORD, and said, "Let us sing unto the LORD, for he is become glorious, the horse and him that rode upon him hath he overthrown in the sea!
Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song unto the LORD, and said, "Let us sing unto the LORD, for he is become glorious, the horse and him that rode upon him hath he overthrown in the sea! The LORD is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation. He is my God, and I will glorify him! He is my father's God, and I will lift him up on high!
The LORD is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation. He is my God, and I will glorify him! He is my father's God, and I will lift him up on high! The LORD is a man of war, Jehovah is his name:
The LORD is a man of war, Jehovah is his name:
The LORD is a man of war, Jehovah is his name:
The LORD is a man of war, Jehovah is his name: Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea. His jolly captains are drowned in the reed sea;
Pharaoh's chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea. His jolly captains are drowned in the reed sea; the deep waters have covered them; they sank to the bottom as a stone.
the deep waters have covered them; they sank to the bottom as a stone. Thine hand, LORD, is glorious in power, thine hand, LORD, hath all to dashed the enemy.
Thine hand, LORD, is glorious in power, thine hand, LORD, hath all to dashed the enemy. And with thy great glory thou hast destroyed thine adversaries! Thou sentest forth thy wrath and it consumed them, even as stubble.
And with thy great glory thou hast destroyed thine adversaries! Thou sentest forth thy wrath and it consumed them, even as stubble. With the breath of thine anger the water gathered together and the floods stood still as a rock, and the deep water congealed together in the midst of the sea.
With the breath of thine anger the water gathered together and the floods stood still as a rock, and the deep water congealed together in the midst of the sea. The enemy said, 'I will follow and overtake them, and will divide the spoil: I will satisfy my lust upon them: I will draw my sword, and mine hand shall destroy them.'
The enemy said, 'I will follow and overtake them, and will divide the spoil: I will satisfy my lust upon them: I will draw my sword, and mine hand shall destroy them.' Thou blewest with thy breath and the sea covered them, and they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
Thou blewest with thy breath and the sea covered them, and they sank as lead in the mighty waters. Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among gods? Who is like thee, so glorious in holiness, fearful, laudable and that showest wonders?
Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among gods? Who is like thee, so glorious in holiness, fearful, laudable and that showest wonders?
Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among gods? Who is like thee, so glorious in holiness, fearful, laudable and that showest wonders?
Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among gods? Who is like thee, so glorious in holiness, fearful, laudable and that showest wonders? Thou stretchedest out thy right hand, and in the earth swallowed them.
Thou stretchedest out thy right hand, and in the earth swallowed them. And thou carriedest with thy mercy this people which thou deliveredest, and broughtest them with thy strength unto thy holy habitation!
And thou carriedest with thy mercy this people which thou deliveredest, and broughtest them with thy strength unto thy holy habitation! The nations heard, and were afraid. Pangs came upon the Philistines.
The nations heard, and were afraid. Pangs came upon the Philistines. Then the dukes of the Edomites were amazed, and trembling came upon the mightiest of the Moabites, and all the inhabiters of Canaan waxed faint-hearted.
Then the dukes of the Edomites were amazed, and trembling came upon the mightiest of the Moabites, and all the inhabiters of Canaan waxed faint-hearted. Let fear and dread fall upon them through the greatness of thine arm, and let them be as still as a stone, while thy people pass through, O LORD; while the people pass through, which thou hast gotten.
Let fear and dread fall upon them through the greatness of thine arm, and let them be as still as a stone, while thy people pass through, O LORD; while the people pass through, which thou hast gotten. Bring them in and plant them in the mountains of thine inheritance, the place, LORD, which thou hast made for to dwell in, the sanctuary, LORD, which thy hands have prepared.
Bring them in and plant them in the mountains of thine inheritance, the place, LORD, which thou hast made for to dwell in, the sanctuary, LORD, which thy hands have prepared. The LORD reign ever and always!"
The LORD reign ever and always!" For Pharaoh went in on horseback with his chariots and horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought the waters of the sea upon them. And the children of Israel went on dry land through the midst of the sea.
For Pharaoh went in on horseback with his chariots and horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought the waters of the sea upon them. And the children of Israel went on dry land through the midst of the sea. And Miriam, a prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women came out after her with timbrels in a dance.
And Miriam, a prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women came out after her with timbrels in a dance.
And Miriam, a prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women came out after her with timbrels in a dance.
And Miriam, a prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women came out after her with timbrels in a dance. And Miriam sang before them, "Sing ye unto the LORD, for he is become glorious indeed! The horse and his rider hath he overthrown in the sea!"
And Miriam sang before them, "Sing ye unto the LORD, for he is become glorious indeed! The horse and his rider hath he overthrown in the sea!"
And they rose up in the morning and offered burnt offerings, and brought offerings of atonement also. And then they sat them down to eat and drink, and rose up again to play.
And they rose up in the morning and offered burnt offerings, and brought offerings of atonement also. And then they sat them down to eat and drink, and rose up again to play.
And he said, "It is not the cry of them that have the mastery, nor of them that have the worse: but I do hear the noise of singing."
And he said, "It is not the cry of them that have the mastery, nor of them that have the worse: but I do hear the noise of singing." And as soon as he came nigh unto the host and saw the calf and the dancing, his wrath waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hand, and brake them even at the hill foot.
And as soon as he came nigh unto the host and saw the calf and the dancing, his wrath waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hand, and brake them even at the hill foot.
Then Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house. And see, his daughter came out against him, with timbrels and dances, which was his only child: so that beside her he had neither son nor daughter.
Then Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house. And see, his daughter came out against him, with timbrels and dances, which was his only child: so that beside her he had neither son nor daughter.
Then they said, "Behold, there is a feast of the LORD yearly in Shiloh which is on the north side of Bethel, and on the east side of the way that goeth from Bethel to Shechem and south from Lebanon."
Then they said, "Behold, there is a feast of the LORD yearly in Shiloh which is on the north side of Bethel, and on the east side of the way that goeth from Bethel to Shechem and south from Lebanon." And they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, "Go and lie in wait in the vineyards.
And they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, "Go and lie in wait in the vineyards. And when ye see that the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in a row, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man a wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and get you unto the land of Benjamin."
And when ye see that the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in a row, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man a wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and get you unto the land of Benjamin." And if their fathers or brethren come to us to complain, we will say unto them, "Have pity on them, because we reserved not to each man his wife in time of war, and thereto because that ye gave them none in due time, ye were to blame."
And if their fathers or brethren come to us to complain, we will say unto them, "Have pity on them, because we reserved not to each man his wife in time of war, and thereto because that ye gave them none in due time, ye were to blame." And the children of Benjamin did even so: and took them wives according to the number of them of the dancers which they caught. And then they went and returned unto their inheritance, and built their cities and dwelt in them.
And the children of Benjamin did even so: and took them wives according to the number of them of the dancers which they caught. And then they went and returned unto their inheritance, and built their cities and dwelt in them.
And when he had brought him: see, they lay scattered abroad upon the earth, eating and drinking and triumphing over all the great prey that they had carried away out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.
And when he had brought him: see, they lay scattered abroad upon the earth, eating and drinking and triumphing over all the great prey that they had carried away out of the land of the Philistines, and out of the land of Judah.
And Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish.
And Ishbosheth sent and took her from her husband Paltiel the son of Laish. And her husband went with her, and came weeping behind her, till they came to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, "Go and return." And he returned.
And her husband went with her, and came weeping behind her, till they came to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, "Go and return." And he returned.
And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD with all manner instruments of fir wood - with harps, psalteries, timbrels, fiddles and cymbals.
And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD with all manner instruments of fir wood - with harps, psalteries, timbrels, fiddles and cymbals.
And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD with all manner instruments of fir wood - with harps, psalteries, timbrels, fiddles and cymbals.
And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD with all manner instruments of fir wood - with harps, psalteries, timbrels, fiddles and cymbals. And when they came to Nacon's threshing floor, Uzzah put his hand to the ark of God and held it, for the oxen stumbled.
And when they came to Nacon's threshing floor, Uzzah put his hand to the ark of God and held it, for the oxen stumbled. And the LORD was wrath with Uzzah; and God smote him in the same place for his fault, and there he died by the ark of God.
And the LORD was wrath with Uzzah; and God smote him in the same place for his fault, and there he died by the ark of God. And David was displeased because the LORD had rent Uzzah. And the name of the place was called Perezuzzah until this day.
And David was displeased because the LORD had rent Uzzah. And the name of the place was called Perezuzzah until this day. And David was then afraid of the LORD and said, "How should the Ark of the LORD come to my house?"
And David was then afraid of the LORD and said, "How should the Ark of the LORD come to my house?" And so David would not bring the Ark of the LORD with him into the city of David. But carried it into the house of Obededom, a Gittite.
And so David would not bring the Ark of the LORD with him into the city of David. But carried it into the house of Obededom, a Gittite. And the Ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite, three months; and the LORD blessed Obededom and all his household.
And the Ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obededom the Gittite, three months; and the LORD blessed Obededom and all his household. And when it was told king David how that the LORD had blessed the house of Obededom and all that pertained unto him, because of the Ark of God, he went and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obededom unto the city of David with gladness.
And when it was told king David how that the LORD had blessed the house of Obededom and all that pertained unto him, because of the Ark of God, he went and brought the Ark of God from the house of Obededom unto the city of David with gladness. And ever, when they that bare the Ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he offered an ox and a fat sheep.
And ever, when they that bare the Ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he offered an ox and a fat sheep. And David danced before the LORD with all his might, in a linen ephod gird unto him.
And David danced before the LORD with all his might, in a linen ephod gird unto him. And David and all the house of Israel brought the ark of the LORD with shouting and trumpet blowing.
And David and all the house of Israel brought the ark of the LORD with shouting and trumpet blowing. And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window and saw King David spring and dance before the LORD, and therefore despised him in her heart.
And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window and saw King David spring and dance before the LORD, and therefore despised him in her heart. And when they had brought in the Ark of the LORD, and had set it even in his place, even in the tabernacle that David had prepared for it: David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD.
And when they had brought in the Ark of the LORD, and had set it even in his place, even in the tabernacle that David had prepared for it: David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Hosts;
And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Hosts; and gave among all the folk - even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men - every one a cake of bread and a piece of flesh and a flacket of wine. And so the people departed every man to his house.
and gave among all the folk - even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men - every one a cake of bread and a piece of flesh and a flacket of wine. And so the people departed every man to his house.
and gave among all the folk - even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men - every one a cake of bread and a piece of flesh and a flacket of wine. And so the people departed every man to his house.
and gave among all the folk - even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men - every one a cake of bread and a piece of flesh and a flacket of wine. And so the people departed every man to his house. Then David returned to salute his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out against him, and said, "Oh how glorious was the king of Israel today, which stripped himself today before the eyes of the maidens of his servants, as a light-brained fellow is wont to strip himself."
Then David returned to salute his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out against him, and said, "Oh how glorious was the king of Israel today, which stripped himself today before the eyes of the maidens of his servants, as a light-brained fellow is wont to strip himself."
Then David returned to salute his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out against him, and said, "Oh how glorious was the king of Israel today, which stripped himself today before the eyes of the maidens of his servants, as a light-brained fellow is wont to strip himself."
Then David returned to salute his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out against him, and said, "Oh how glorious was the king of Israel today, which stripped himself today before the eyes of the maidens of his servants, as a light-brained fellow is wont to strip himself." But David said again to Michal, "I thought to dance before the LORD - which chose me, rather thy father and all his kin, and commanded me to be ruler over all the people of the LORD, even over Israel.
But David said again to Michal, "I thought to dance before the LORD - which chose me, rather thy father and all his kin, and commanded me to be ruler over all the people of the LORD, even over Israel. And therefore will I play before the LORD, and will yet be more vile than so, and I will be meek in mine own sight: and of the very same maidservants which thou hast spoken of, shall I be had in honour."
And therefore will I play before the LORD, and will yet be more vile than so, and I will be meek in mine own sight: and of the very same maidservants which thou hast spoken of, shall I be had in honour."
And therefore will I play before the LORD, and will yet be more vile than so, and I will be meek in mine own sight: and of the very same maidservants which thou hast spoken of, shall I be had in honour."
And therefore will I play before the LORD, and will yet be more vile than so, and I will be meek in mine own sight: and of the very same maidservants which thou hast spoken of, shall I be had in honour."
And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, with singing, harps, psalteries, timbrels and trumpets.
And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, with singing, harps, psalteries, timbrels and trumpets.
and the Ark of God was with Obededom in his house, three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom and all that he had.
and the Ark of God was with Obededom in his house, three months. And the LORD blessed the house of Obededom and all that he had.
They send forth their children by flocks, and their sons lead the dance.
They send forth their children by flocks, and their sons lead the dance.
Thou hast turned my heaviness into joy; thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.
Thou hast turned my heaviness into joy; thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness.
All my bones shall say, "LORD, who is like unto thee, who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him? Yea, the poor, and him that is in misery, from him that spoileth him?"
All my bones shall say, "LORD, who is like unto thee, who deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him? Yea, the poor, and him that is in misery, from him that spoileth him?"
Praise him in the cymbals and dances; praise him upon the strings and pipe.
Praise him in the cymbals and dances; praise him upon the strings and pipe.
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Turn again, turn again, O thou Shulamite; turn again, turn again, that we may look upon thee. What pleasure have ye more in the Shulamite, than when she danceth among the men of war?
Turn again, turn again, O thou Shulamite; turn again, turn again, that we may look upon thee. What pleasure have ye more in the Shulamite, than when she danceth among the men of war?
I will repair thee again, O thou daughter of Israel, that thou mayest be fast and sure. Thou shalt take thy tabrets again, and go forth, with them that lead the dance.
I will repair thee again, O thou daughter of Israel, that thou mayest be fast and sure. Thou shalt take thy tabrets again, and go forth, with them that lead the dance.
Then shall the maid rejoice in the dance, yea both young and old folks. For I will turn their sorrow into gladness, and will comfort them and make them joyful, even from their hearts.
Then shall the maid rejoice in the dance, yea both young and old folks. For I will turn their sorrow into gladness, and will comfort them and make them joyful, even from their hearts.
The joy of our heart is gone, our merry query is turned into mourning.
The joy of our heart is gone, our merry query is turned into mourning.
and say, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; We have mourned unto you, and ye have not sorrowed.
and say, We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; We have mourned unto you, and ye have not sorrowed.
And the daughter of the said Herodias came in and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat at board also. Then the king said unto the maiden, "Ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee."
And the daughter of the said Herodias came in and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat at board also. Then the king said unto the maiden, "Ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee." And he sware unto her, "Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, even unto the one half of my kingdom."
And he sware unto her, "Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, even unto the one half of my kingdom."
The elder brother was in the field, and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard minstrelsy, and dancing,
The elder brother was in the field, and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard minstrelsy, and dancing,
Smith
Dance.
The dance is spoken of in Holy Scripture universally as symbolical of some rejoicing, and is often coupled for the sake of contrast with mourning, as in
comp. Psal 30:11; Matt 11:17 In the earlier period it is found combined with some song or refrain,
and with the tambourine (Authorized Version "timbrel"), more especially in those impulsive outbursts of popular feeling which cannot find sufficient vent in voice or in gesture singly. Dancing formed a part of the religious ceremonies of the Egyptians, and was also common in private entertainments. For the most part dancing was carried on by the women, the two sexes seldom and not customarily intermingling. The one who happened to be near of kin to the champion of the hour led the dance. In the earlier period of the Judges the dances of the virgins of Shiloh.
were certainly part of a religious festivity. Dancing also had its place among merely festive amusements, apart from any religious character.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
And Miriam, a prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women came out after her with timbrels in a dance.
And he said, "It is not the cry of them that have the mastery, nor of them that have the worse: but I do hear the noise of singing." And as soon as he came nigh unto the host and saw the calf and the dancing, his wrath waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hand, and brake them even at the hill foot.
Then they said, "Behold, there is a feast of the LORD yearly in Shiloh which is on the north side of Bethel, and on the east side of the way that goeth from Bethel to Shechem and south from Lebanon." And they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, "Go and lie in wait in the vineyards. read more. And when ye see that the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in a row, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man a wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and get you unto the land of Benjamin." And if their fathers or brethren come to us to complain, we will say unto them, "Have pity on them, because we reserved not to each man his wife in time of war, and thereto because that ye gave them none in due time, ye were to blame." And the children of Benjamin did even so: and took them wives according to the number of them of the dancers which they caught. And then they went and returned unto their inheritance, and built their cities and dwelt in them.
I will repair thee again, O thou daughter of Israel, that thou mayest be fast and sure. Thou shalt take thy tabrets again, and go forth, with them that lead the dance.
Then shall the maid rejoice in the dance, yea both young and old folks. For I will turn their sorrow into gladness, and will comfort them and make them joyful, even from their hearts.
And the daughter of the said Herodias came in and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat at board also. Then the king said unto the maiden, "Ask of me what thou wilt, and I will give it thee."