Dance

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

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" ( Psalms 150:4, margin) Expressing joy, as contrasted with mourning ( Ecclesiastes 3:4;  Psalms 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 ( Exodus 15:1-20) (while Moses led the men), Jephthah's daughter ( Judges 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 ( Exodus 32:18-19;  1 Samuel 18:7;  1 Samuel 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" ( Exodus 15:3;  Exodus 15:20-21), 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 ( 2 Samuel 6:5-22) is that he was choir leader, the women with their timbrels ( 2 Samuel 6:5;  2 Samuel 6:19-20;  2 Samuel 6:22) 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 ( 2 Samuel 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 ( 1 Chronicles 13:8;  1 Chronicles 13:16;  2 Samuel 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  Psalms 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 ( Exodus 15:11). The dance, however, was generally left to women ( Judges 21:19-23). It is mentioned as a censure on their looseness that "the people rose up to play" at Aaron's calf festival ( Exodus 32:6;  1 Corinthians 10:7), also that the Amalekites were "dancing" ( 1 Samuel 30:16).

The woman leader usually in the East leads off the dance, and the other women exactly follow her graceful movements. In  Song of Solomon 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 ( Jeremiah 31:4;  Jeremiah 31:13;  Lamentations 5:15;  Luke 15:25), especially that of women and children ( Job 21:11;  Matthew 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 ( Mark 6:22-23).

People's Dictionary of the Bible

Dance, Dancing . In Eastern nations the mingling of the sexes in the dance is seldom if ever known, although dancing was common, as a religious act, and also as a voluptuous entertainment. Just as impassioned language became "poetry," and song broke forth from the lips, so among Oriental peoples the limbs partook of the excitement,  Psalms 35:10, and joy was exhibited in dancing. We read of dances among the Hebrews at solemn religious festivals. Thus David danced before the Lord at the bringing up of the ark into Jerusalem.  2 Samuel 6:14. His wife Michal reproached him for dancing.  2 Samuel 16:20-22. There were also dances of Hebrew women. We have an example of this alter the passage of the Red Sea. There was a responsive song of triumph; the men, however, are not said to have danced, but the women did.  Exodus 15:20. Similar were the dances that celebrated David's victory over Goliath,  1 Samuel 18:6; see also  Psalms 68:25; the "timbrels" being musical instruments invariably accompanied with dancing. The sexes were not mixed in social dances. Thus it is evident that the daughters of Shiloh were not accompanied by even their male relatives.  Judges 21:21. Theirs would seem to have been a religious festival. There were also dances of mere pleasure and revelry.  1 Samuel 30:16, R. V. reads "feasting" instead of "dancing;"  Job 21:11;  Jeremiah 31:4;  Jeremiah 31:13;  Luke 15:25. Of the modes or figures of the Hebrew dance we know little; whether it was in a ring, or whether the performers were arranged in more than one row. In the East at present a female leads the dance; and others follow, imitating exactly her movements. Possibly, double rows, something similar to the country-dance, may be alluded to in Sol.  Song of Solomon 6:13; where Ginsberg translates "like a dance to double choirs." The daughter of Herodias danced alone.  Matthew 14:6. It may be observed that a Hebrew word, Mahhol, rendered "dance" in our version,  Psalms 150:4, and elsewhere, is supposed by some to mean a musical instrument.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Judges 21:21,23 Psalm 30:11 149:3 150:4 Jeremiah 31:4,13 Hul   Ecclesiastes 3:4 Job 21:11 Isaiah 13:21

In the New Testament it is in like manner the translation of different Greek words, circular motion ( Luke 15:25 ); leaping up and down in concert ( Matthew 11:17 ), and by a single person ( Matthew 14:6 ).

It is spoken of as symbolical of rejoicing ( Ecclesiastes 3:4 . Compare  Psalm 30:11;  Matthew 11 ::  17 ). The Hebrews had their sacred dances expressive of joy and thanksgiving, when the performers were usually females ( Exodus 15:20;  1 Samuel 18:6 ).

The ancient dance was very different from that common among Western nations. It was usually the part of the women only ( Exodus 15:20;  Judges 11:34; comp 5:1). Hence the peculiarity of David's conduct in dancing before the ark of the Lord ( 2 Samuel 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 ( Jeremiah 31:4 ). The sexes among the Jews always danced separately. The daughter of Herodias danced alone ( Matthew 14:6 ).

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Dance.

1. 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  Ecclesiastes 3:4. Compare  Psalms 30:11;  Matthew 11:17. In the earlier period, it is found combined with some song or refrain,  Exodus 15:20;  Exodus 32:18-19;  1 Samuel 21:11 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,  Judges 21:19-23, were certainly part of a religious festivity. Dancing also had its place among merely festive amusements, apart from any religious character.  Jeremiah 31:4;  Jeremiah 31:13;  Mark 6:22.

2. A musical instrument of percussion, supposed to have been used, by the Hebrews, at an early period of their history.

King James Dictionary

D'ANCE,

1. Primarily, to leap or spring hence, to leap or move with measured steps, regulated by a tune, sung or played on a musical instrument to leap or step with graceful motions of the body, corresponding with the sound of the voice or an instrument.

There is a time to mourn, and a time to dance.  Ecclesiastes 3

2. To leap and frisk about to move nimbly or up and down.

To dance attendance, to wait with obsequiousness to strive to please and gain favor by assiduous attentions and officious civilities as, to dance attendance at court.

D'ANCE, To make to dance to move up and down, or back and forth to dandle as, to dance a child on the knee.

D'ANCE, n.

1. In general sense, a leaping and frisking about. Appropriately, a leaping or stepping with motions of the body adjusted to the measure of a tune, particularly by two or more in concert. A lively brisk exercise or amusement, in which the movements of the persons are regulated by art, in figure, and by the sound of instruments, in measure. 2. A tune by which dancing is regulated, as the minuet, the waltz, the cotillon, &c.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Ὀρχέομαι (Strong'S #3738 — Verb — orcheo — or-kheh'-om-ahee )

(cp. Eng., "orchestra") probably originally signified "to lift up," as of the feet; hence, "to leap with regularity of motion." It is always used in the Middle Voice,  Matthew 11:17;  14:6;  Mark 6:22;  Luke 7:32 . The performance by the daughter of Herodias is the only clear instance of artistic dancing, a form introduced from Greek customs.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( v. i.) The leaping, tripping, or measured stepping of one who dances; an amusement, in which the movements of the persons are regulated by art, in figures and in accord with music.

(2): ( v. i.) A tune by which dancing is regulated, as the minuet, the waltz, the cotillon, etc.

(3): ( v. t.) To cause to dance, or move nimbly or merrily about, or up and down; to dandle.

(4): ( v. i.) To move nimbly or merrily; to express pleasure by motion; to caper; to frisk; to skip about.

(5): ( v. i.) To move with measured steps, or to a musical accompaniment; to go through, either alone or in company with others, with a regulated succession of movements, (commonly) to the sound of music; to trip or leap rhythmically.

Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types

 Job 21:11 (b) This is used as a type of the careless, indifferent lives of the ungodly.

 Ecclesiastes 3:4 (b) By this is indicated that there is a time when cares and burdens should be laid aside and there should be freedom of spirit.

 Matthew 11:17 (c) By this our Saviour describes the indifference of people to His commands and invitations.

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

See Dancing

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Copyright StatementThese files are public domain. Bibliography InformationMcClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Dance'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/d/dance.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.

Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature

The character of the ancient dance was very different from that of ours, as appears from the conduct of Miriam, who 'took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.' Precisely similar is the Oriental dance of the present day, which, accompanied of course with music, is led by the principal person of the company, the rest imitating the steps. The evolutions, as well as the songs, are extemporaneous—not confined to a fixed rule, but varied at the pleasure of the leading dancer; and yet they are generally executed with so much grace, and the time so well kept with the simple notes of the music, that the group of attendants show wonderful address and propriety in following the variations of the leader's feet.

At a very early period dancing was enlisted into the service of religion among the heathen; the dance, enlivened by vocal and instrumental music, was a usual accompaniment in all the processions and festivals of the gods; and, indeed, so indispensable was this species of violent merriment, that no ceremonial was considered duly accomplished—no triumph rightly celebrated, without the aid of dancing. The Hebrews, in common with other nations, had their sacred dances, which were performed on their solemn anniversaries, and other occasions of commemorating some special token of the divine goodness and favor, as means of drawing forth, in the liveliest manner, their expressions of joy and thanksgiving. The performers were usually a band of females, who, in cases of public rejoicing, volunteered their services , and who, in the case of religious observances, composed the regular chorus of the temple , although there are not wanting instances of men also joining in the dance on these seasons of religious festivity. Thus David deemed it no way derogatory to his royal dignity to dance on the auspicious occasion of the ark being brought up to Jerusalem. His conduct was imitated by the later Jews, and the dance incorporated among their favorite usages as an appropriate close of the joyous occasion of the Feast of Tabernacles.

From being exclusively, or at least principally, reserved for occasions of religious worship and festivity, dancing came gradually to be practiced in common life on any remarkable seasons of mirth and rejoicing . In early times, indeed, those who perverted the exercise from a sacred use to purposes of amusement were considered profane and infamous; and hence Job introduces it as a distinguishing feature in the character of the ungodly rich, that they encouraged a taste for dancing in their families . During the classic ages of Greece and Rome society underwent a complete revolution of sentiment on this subject; insomuch that not only at Rome, but through all the provinces of the empire, it was a favorite pastime, resorted to not only to enliven feasts, but in the celebration of domestic joy . Notwithstanding, however, the strong partiality cherished for this inspiriting amusement, it was considered beneath the dignity of persons of rank and character to practice it. The well known words of Cicero, that 'no one dances unless he is either drunk or mad,' express the prevailing sense as to the impropriety of respectable individuals taking part in it; and hence the gay circles of Rome and its provinces derived all their entertainment, as is done in the East to this day, from the exhibitions of professional dancers.

Amateur dancing in high life was by no means uncommon in the voluptuous times of the later emperors. But in the age of Herod it was exceedingly rare and almost unheard of; and therefore the condescension of Salome, who volunteered, in honor of the anniversary of that monarch's birthday, to exhibit her handsome person as she led the mazy dance in the saloons of Machaerus—for though she was a child at this time, as some suppose, she was still a princess—was felt to be a compliment that merited the highest reward. The folly and rashness of Herod in giving her an unlimited promise, great as they were, have been equaled and even surpassed by the munificence which many other Eastern monarchs have lavished upon favorite dancers.

It remains to notice further that the Jewish dance was performed by the sexes separately. There is no evidence from sacred history that the diversion was promiscuously enjoyed, except it might be at the erection of the deified calf, when, in imitation of the Egyptian festival of Apis, all classes of the Hebrews intermingled in the frantic revelry. In the sacred dances, although both sexes seem to have frequently borne a part in the procession or chorus, they remained in distinct and separate companies .