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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The prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand. All the women, danced with tambourines, and followed her.
The prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand. All the women, danced with tambourines, and followed her.
Jephthah went back home to Mizpah. His daughter came out to meet him, dancing and playing the tambourine. She was his only child.
When the young women of Shiloh come out to dance during the festival, you come out of the vineyards. Each of you should take a wife by force from among them and take her back to the territory of Benjamin with you.
The Benjaminites did this. Each of them chose a wife from the young women who were dancing at Shiloh and carried her away. They went back to their own territory, rebuilt their towns, and lived there.
Wearing a linen ephod, David danced in Jehovah's presence with all his might.
They send out their little ones like a flock, and their children dance around.
You turned my mourning into dancing. You loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness.
You turned my mourning into dancing. You loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness.
Let them praise his name with dancing. Let them make music to him with tambourines and lyres.
Praise him with tambourines and dancing. Praise him with stringed instruments and flutes.
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 desert animals will lie down there. Their houses will be full of owls! Shaggy goats (demons) will play there and ostriches will dance there.
I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You will take up your tambourines and go to the dances of the merrymakers.
I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You will take up your tambourines and go to the dances of the merrymakers.
Then young women will rejoice and dance along with young men and old men. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them. I will replace their sorrow with joy.
They say: 'We piped for you and you did not dance. We cried and you did not mourn.'
They say: 'We piped for you and you did not dance. We cried and you did not mourn.'
It was Herod's birthday. The daughter of Herodias danced for him and pleased him.
It was Herod's birthday. The daughter of Herodias danced for him and pleased him.
The older son was out in the field. When he came close to the house he heard music 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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Moses and the Israelites sang this song to Jehovah: I will sing to Jehovah, because he has won a glorious victory. He has thrown the horses and their riders into the sea.
Moses and the Israelites sang this song to Jehovah: I will sing to Jehovah, because he has won a glorious victory. He has thrown the horses and their riders into the sea. Jehovah is my strong defender. He is the one who has saved me. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will sing about his greatness.
Jehovah is my strong defender. He is the one who has saved me. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will sing about his greatness. Jehovah is His name, and he is a warrior!
Jehovah is His name, and he is a warrior!
Jehovah is His name, and he is a warrior!
Jehovah is His name, and he is a warrior! He threw the chariots and army of Egypt's king into the Red Sea, and he drowned the best of the king's army.
He threw the chariots and army of Egypt's king into the Red Sea, and he drowned the best of the king's army. The depths have covered them. They sank to the bottom just like boulders.
The depths have covered them. They sank to the bottom just like boulders. With the tremendous force of your right arm, Jehovah, you crushed your enemies.
With the tremendous force of your right arm, Jehovah, you crushed your enemies. In the greatness of your excellence you overthrow those who rose up against you. You sent your wrath and consumed them like stubble.
In the greatness of your excellence you overthrow those who rose up against you. You sent your wrath and consumed them like stubble. With a blast from your nostrils, the water piled up. The waves stood up like a dam. The deep water thickened in the middle of the sea.
With a blast from your nostrils, the water piled up. The waves stood up like a dam. The deep water thickened in the middle of the sea. The enemy said: 'I will pursue them! I will catch them! I will divide the loot! I will take all I want! I will use my sword! I will take all they have!'
The enemy said: 'I will pursue them! I will catch them! I will divide the loot! I will take all I want! I will use my sword! I will take all they have!' Your breath blew the sea over them. They sank like lead in the raging water.
Your breath blew the sea over them. They sank like lead in the raging water. Who among the gods is like you Jehovah? Who is like you, wonderful in holiness? Who can work wonders and mighty acts like yours?
Who among the gods is like you Jehovah? Who is like you, wonderful in holiness? Who can work wonders and mighty acts like yours?
Who among the gods is like you Jehovah? Who is like you, wonderful in holiness? Who can work wonders and mighty acts like yours?
Who among the gods is like you Jehovah? Who is like you, wonderful in holiness? Who can work wonders and mighty acts like yours? You stretched out your right hand, and the earth swallowed our enemies.
You stretched out your right hand, and the earth swallowed our enemies. Using your powerful love, you rescued (redeemed) the people.
Using your powerful love, you rescued (redeemed) the people. Nations learned of this and trembled. The Philistines shook with horror.
Nations learned of this and trembled. The Philistines shook with horror. The sheiks (chiefs) of Edom were dismayed. The leaders of Moab are griped with fear. The inhabitants of Canaan are filled with fear.
The sheiks (chiefs) of Edom were dismayed. The leaders of Moab are griped with fear. The inhabitants of Canaan are filled with fear. Terror and dread fall upon them. By the greatness of your arm they are motionless as stone. Until your people pass over, O Jehovah, until the people pass over whom you have purchased.
Terror and dread fall upon them. By the greatness of your arm they are motionless as stone. Until your people pass over, O Jehovah, until the people pass over whom you have purchased. You will bring them and plant them on your own mountain, the place where you live, O Jehovah, the holy place that you built with your own hands, O Jehovah.
You will bring them and plant them on your own mountain, the place where you live, O Jehovah, the holy place that you built with your own hands, O Jehovah. Jehovah will rule as king forever and ever.
Jehovah will rule as king forever and ever. When Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and cavalry went into the sea, Jehovah made the water of the sea flow back over them. The Israelites had gone through the sea on dry ground.
When Pharaoh's horses, chariots, and cavalry went into the sea, Jehovah made the water of the sea flow back over them. The Israelites had gone through the sea on dry ground. The prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand. All the women, danced with tambourines, and followed her.
The prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand. All the women, danced with tambourines, and followed her.
The prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand. All the women, danced with tambourines, and followed her.
The prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand. All the women, danced with tambourines, and followed her. Miriam sang to them: Sing to Jehovah. He has won a glorious victory. He has thrown horses and their riders into the sea.
Miriam sang to them: Sing to Jehovah. He has won a glorious victory. He has thrown horses and their riders into the sea.
Early the next day the people sacrificed burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. After that they sat down to a feast, which turned into an orgy.
Early the next day the people sacrificed burnt offerings and brought peace offerings. After that they sat down to a feast, which turned into an orgy.
Moses replied: That does not sound like a shout of victory or a cry of defeat; it is the sound of singing.
Moses replied: That does not sound like a shout of victory or a cry of defeat; it is the sound of singing. Moses came close enough to the camp at the foot of the mountain to see the bull-calf and to see the people dancing. He became furious! He threw down the tablets he was carrying and broke them.
Moses came close enough to the camp at the foot of the mountain to see the bull-calf and to see the people dancing. He became furious! He threw down the tablets he was carrying and broke them.
Jephthah went back home to Mizpah. His daughter came out to meet him, dancing and playing the tambourine. She was his only child.
Jephthah went back home to Mizpah. His daughter came out to meet him, dancing and playing the tambourine. She was his only child.
They said: The yearly festival of Jehovah at Shiloh is coming soon. (Shiloh is north of Bethel, south of Lebonah, and east of the road between Bethel and Shechem.)
They said: The yearly festival of Jehovah at Shiloh is coming soon. (Shiloh is north of Bethel, south of Lebonah, and east of the road between Bethel and Shechem.) They told the Benjaminites: Go hide in the vineyards.
They told the Benjaminites: Go hide in the vineyards. When the young women of Shiloh come out to dance during the festival, you come out of the vineyards. Each of you should take a wife by force from among them and take her back to the territory of Benjamin with you.
When the young women of Shiloh come out to dance during the festival, you come out of the vineyards. Each of you should take a wife by force from among them and take her back to the territory of Benjamin with you. If their fathers or brothers come to you and protest, you can tell them: 'Please let us keep them, because we did not take them from you in battle to be our wives. Since you did not give them to us, you are not guilty of breaking your promise.'
If their fathers or brothers come to you and protest, you can tell them: 'Please let us keep them, because we did not take them from you in battle to be our wives. Since you did not give them to us, you are not guilty of breaking your promise.' The Benjaminites did this. Each of them chose a wife from the young women who were dancing at Shiloh and carried her away. They went back to their own territory, rebuilt their towns, and lived there.
The Benjaminites did this. Each of them chose a wife from the young women who were dancing at Shiloh and carried her away. They went back to their own territory, rebuilt their towns, and lived there.
He led David to the Amalekites. They were eating, drinking and celebrating because of what they had taken from Philistia and Judah.
He led David to the Amalekites. They were eating, drinking and celebrating because of what they had taken from Philistia and Judah.
Ishbosheth sent some of his men to take Michal away from her new husband, Paltiel son of Laish.
Ishbosheth sent some of his men to take Michal away from her new husband, Paltiel son of Laish. Paltiel followed Michal and the men all the way to Bahurim. He cried all the way. But he went back home after Abner ordered him to leave.
Paltiel followed Michal and the men all the way to Bahurim. He cried all the way. But he went back home after Abner ordered him to leave.
David and all the Israelites danced and sang with all their might to honor Jehovah. They played harps, lyres, drums, tambourines, rattles, and cymbals.
David and all the Israelites danced and sang with all their might to honor Jehovah. They played harps, lyres, drums, tambourines, rattles, and cymbals.
David and all the Israelites danced and sang with all their might to honor Jehovah. They played harps, lyres, drums, tambourines, rattles, and cymbals.
David and all the Israelites danced and sang with all their might to honor Jehovah. They played harps, lyres, drums, tambourines, rattles, and cymbals. As they came to the threshing place of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out and took hold of the Ark of the Covenant.
As they came to the threshing place of Nacon, the oxen stumbled, and Uzzah reached out and took hold of the Ark of the Covenant. At once Jehovah God became angry with Uzzah. He killed him because of his irreverence. Uzzah died there beside the Ark of the Covenant.
At once Jehovah God became angry with Uzzah. He killed him because of his irreverence. Uzzah died there beside the Ark of the Covenant. Because of that the place has been called Perez Uzzah (breakthrough of Uzzah) ever since. David was furious because Jehovah punished Uzzah in anger.
Because of that the place has been called Perez Uzzah (breakthrough of Uzzah) ever since. David was furious because Jehovah punished Uzzah in anger. Then David was afraid of Jehovah and said: How can I take the Ark of the Covenant with me now?
Then David was afraid of Jehovah and said: How can I take the Ark of the Covenant with me now? So he decided not to take it with him to Jerusalem. Instead, he turned off the road and took it to the house of Obed Edom, a native of the city of Gath.
So he decided not to take it with him to Jerusalem. Instead, he turned off the road and took it to the house of Obed Edom, a native of the city of Gath. The Ark of Jehovah stayed at the home of Obed Edom from Gath for three months. Jehovah blessed Obed Edom and his whole family.
The Ark of Jehovah stayed at the home of Obed Edom from Gath for three months. Jehovah blessed Obed Edom and his whole family. King David was told: Jehovah has blessed Obed Edom's home and everything he owns because of the Ark of God. Then David joyfully went to get the Ark of God from Obed Edom's house and bring it to the City of David.
King David was told: Jehovah has blessed Obed Edom's home and everything he owns because of the Ark of God. Then David joyfully went to get the Ark of God from Obed Edom's house and bring it to the City of David. When those who carried the Ark of Jehovah walked six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf.
When those who carried the Ark of Jehovah walked six steps, David sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. Wearing a linen ephod, David danced in Jehovah's presence with all his might.
Wearing a linen ephod, David danced in Jehovah's presence with all his might. He and the entire nation of Israel brought the Ark of Jehovah with shouts of joy and the sounding of rams' horns.
He and the entire nation of Israel brought the Ark of Jehovah with shouts of joy and the sounding of rams' horns. When the Ark of Jehovah came to the City of David, Saul's daughter Michal looked out of a window and saw King David leaping and dancing in Jehovah's presence. She despised him in her heart.
When the Ark of Jehovah came to the City of David, Saul's daughter Michal looked out of a window and saw King David leaping and dancing in Jehovah's presence. She despised him in her heart. The men carrying the Ark set it in its place inside the tent David put up for it. David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings in Jehovah's presence.
The men carrying the Ark set it in its place inside the tent David put up for it. David sacrificed burnt offerings and fellowship offerings in Jehovah's presence. David finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and the fellowship offerings. Then he blessed the people in the name of Jehovah of Hosts.
David finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and the fellowship offerings. Then he blessed the people in the name of Jehovah of Hosts. He also distributed to all the people, to the whole crowd of Israelites, men and women, one loaf of bread, one date cake, and one raisin cake. Then all the people went home.
He also distributed to all the people, to the whole crowd of Israelites, men and women, one loaf of bread, one date cake, and one raisin cake. Then all the people went home.
He also distributed to all the people, to the whole crowd of Israelites, men and women, one loaf of bread, one date cake, and one raisin cake. Then all the people went home.
He also distributed to all the people, to the whole crowd of Israelites, men and women, one loaf of bread, one date cake, and one raisin cake. Then all the people went home. David went home so he could ask Jehovah to bless his family. But Saul's daughter Michal went out and started yelling at him: You were really great today! She said. You acted like a dirty old man. You danced around half-naked in front of your servants' slave-girls.
David went home so he could ask Jehovah to bless his family. But Saul's daughter Michal went out and started yelling at him: You were really great today! She said. You acted like a dirty old man. You danced around half-naked in front of your servants' slave-girls.
David went home so he could ask Jehovah to bless his family. But Saul's daughter Michal went out and started yelling at him: You were really great today! She said. You acted like a dirty old man. You danced around half-naked in front of your servants' slave-girls.
David went home so he could ask Jehovah to bless his family. But Saul's daughter Michal went out and started yelling at him: You were really great today! She said. You acted like a dirty old man. You danced around half-naked in front of your servants' slave-girls. David answered: I danced to honor Jehovah. He chose me to be king instead of your father and his family. He made me the leader of his people Israel. I will continue to dance and honor Jehovah.
David answered: I danced to honor Jehovah. He chose me to be king instead of your father and his family. He made me the leader of his people Israel. I will continue to dance and honor Jehovah. I will disgrace myself even more. You may think I am nothing, but those women think highly of me!
I will disgrace myself even more. You may think I am nothing, but those women think highly of me!
I will disgrace myself even more. You may think I am nothing, but those women think highly of me!
I will disgrace myself even more. You may think I am nothing, but those women think highly of me!
David and all the people of Israel celebrated with all their might before God. They did it with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets.
David and all the people of Israel celebrated with all their might before God. They did it with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, cymbals and trumpets.
The Ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months. Jehovah blessed his household and everything he had.
The Ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months. Jehovah blessed his household and everything he had.
They send out their little ones like a flock, and their children dance around.
They send out their little ones like a flock, and their children dance around.
You turned my mourning into dancing. You loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness.
You turned my mourning into dancing. You loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness.
All my bones will say: O Jehovah, who can compare with you? You rescue the weak person from the one who is too strong for him and weak and needy people from the one who robs them.
All my bones will say: O Jehovah, who can compare with you? You rescue the weak person from the one who is too strong for him and weak and needy people from the one who robs them.
Praise him with tambourines and dancing. Praise him with stringed instruments and flutes.
Praise him with tambourines and dancing. Praise him with stringed instruments and flutes.
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;
(Beloved and his Friends) Return, return, O Shulamite return, return, that we may look at you. (The Shulamite) What will you see in the Shulamite? It was the company of two camps.
(Beloved and his Friends) Return, return, O Shulamite return, return, that we may look at you. (The Shulamite) What will you see in the Shulamite? It was the company of two camps.
I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You will take up your tambourines and go to the dances of the merrymakers.
I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You will take up your tambourines and go to the dances of the merrymakers.
Then young women will rejoice and dance along with young men and old men. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them. I will replace their sorrow with joy.
Then young women will rejoice and dance along with young men and old men. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them. I will replace their sorrow with joy.
The joy of our hearts has ended; our dancing is changed into sorrow.
The joy of our hearts has ended; our dancing is changed into sorrow.
They say: 'We piped for you and you did not dance. We cried and you did not mourn.'
They say: 'We piped for you and you did not dance. We cried and you did not mourn.'
When the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and his guests, she pleased him so much he promised her anything she desired.
When the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and his guests, she pleased him so much he promised her anything she desired. He pledged to her, Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you, up to half of my kingdom.
He pledged to her, Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you, up to half of my kingdom.
The older son was out in the field. When he came close to the house he heard music and dancing.
The older son was out in the field. When he came close to the house he heard music 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.
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The prophet Miriam, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand. All the women, danced with tambourines, and followed her.
Moses replied: That does not sound like a shout of victory or a cry of defeat; it is the sound of singing. Moses came close enough to the camp at the foot of the mountain to see the bull-calf and to see the people dancing. He became furious! He threw down the tablets he was carrying and broke them.
They said: The yearly festival of Jehovah at Shiloh is coming soon. (Shiloh is north of Bethel, south of Lebonah, and east of the road between Bethel and Shechem.) They told the Benjaminites: Go hide in the vineyards. read more. When the young women of Shiloh come out to dance during the festival, you come out of the vineyards. Each of you should take a wife by force from among them and take her back to the territory of Benjamin with you. If their fathers or brothers come to you and protest, you can tell them: 'Please let us keep them, because we did not take them from you in battle to be our wives. Since you did not give them to us, you are not guilty of breaking your promise.' The Benjaminites did this. Each of them chose a wife from the young women who were dancing at Shiloh and carried her away. They went back to their own territory, rebuilt their towns, and lived there.
I will build you and you will be rebuilt, O virgin of Israel! You will take up your tambourines and go to the dances of the merrymakers.
Then young women will rejoice and dance along with young men and old men. I will turn their mourning into joy. I will comfort them. I will replace their sorrow with joy.
When the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and his guests, she pleased him so much he promised her anything she desired.