Dance

Concept

Dancing in Scripture was a customary expression of religious joy, military celebration, and festivity. Women danced with timbrels to celebrate victories — Miriam led the women of Israel after the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20) and Jephthah's daughter came out dancing to meet her father (Judges 11:34). David danced before the ark of the LORD with great enthusiasm as it entered Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:14–16), an act that provoked Michal's contempt. The Psalms call Israel to praise God with dancing (Psalms 149:3; 150:4). In the New Testament, dancing appears in the parable of the prodigal son's celebration (Luke 15:25) and as the occasion for Herod's rash promise to Salome (Matthew 14:6). The rhythmic, communal nature of Hebrew dance was primarily an expression of communal worship and celebration rather than entertainment.