Dancing

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

Dancing

1. Manner .—The Oriental dance was performed either by an individual man or woman, or by crescent lines of men dancing together and holding each other’s hands, or of women by themselves performing similar movements. The one at the end of the line waved a scarf and acted as chorçgos , or dance-leader. At times also a line of men and women, with hands joined, confronted another similar line, and the dance consisted in their alternate advance and retreat, accompanied by the hand-clapping of the onlookers beating time to the music, by the scarf-waving and occasional shout, and, at regulated intervals, the resounding tread of the dancers. In the case of the individual, the abrupt muscular actions were artistically relieved, as in the contrasting lines of male and female attire in the Western dance, by the soft and swaying undulations of the dancer’s figure. The accompaniment of song, hand-clapping, and musical instruments served to control the energy and secure unity of movement.

2. Place .—On the occasion of a wedding in a peasant’s house a space was kept clear near the door, and into it one after another stepped forward and danced, and retired among the shadows; the dancing of the bride receiving especial attention and applause. For dancing in companies, the flat roof, or any level space beside the house, was resorted to. In the cities and in the houses of the rich, the large reception room, or the open paved court, into which all the apartments opened, was available for the purpose. In festive processions the male or female performers, singly or in couples, stepped to the front and danced with sword and shield, and then gave place to others.

3. Occasions .—In the East, dancing has never been regarded as an end in itself and promoted as an entertainment chiefly for those actively taking part in it, but rather as a demonstration of feeling due to some special incident or situation. In family life this was principally the event of marriage ( Matthew 11:17,  Luke 7:32); and a similar expression of feeling often attended the birth of a son, recovery from sickness, return from a journey, or the reception of a guest whose presence called for such a manifestation of grateful rejoicing. Birthdays did not usually receive such notice, as they lacked the element of relief from danger, recompense and rest after hardship, or the introduction of something new into the family conditions. Herod’s birthday feast (when Salome danced before the guests,  Matthew 14:6,  Mark 6:22) was an imitation of Gentile customs. More general occasions were the founding of a building, the ingathering of harvest, and the religious festivals of the year.

The prevalence of such a custom, embracing old and young, and including all classes, indicated a simple life, in which the feeling of the moment found hearty and uncritical expression. The view of life was one that recognized the easy and rapid interchange of joy and grief ( Psalms 30:5;  Psalms 30:11,  Lamentations 5:15,  Ecclesiastes 3:4). Further, it implied a very close connexion between mental and physical states. As there was a union of mirth and dancing, so there was an equally natural correspondence between sorrow and sighing ( Isaiah 35:10). Even in places dedicated to relaxation and delight, by the rivers of Babylon, it was impossible for captive exiles to sing the songs of the Lord’s deliverance ( Psalms 137:1-4). The elder brother could take no part in mirth and dancing of which the occasion was so affronting and offensive to himself ( Luke 15:25-28). Hence among a people marked by mobility of temperament and prone to extremes of feeling, the children in the market-place might well reproach their companions who heard the wedding music without rising to the dance, and the wail of bereavement without being moved to pity ( Matthew 11:17,  Luke 7:32).

Literature.—Hasting's Dictionary of the Bible, art. ‘Dancing’; Delitzsch, Iris , 189 ff.; Thomson, Land and Book , 555 f.

G. M. Mackie.

Holman Bible Dictionary

 Ecclesiastes 3:4

The Old Testament employs eleven terms to describe the act of dance. This suggests something about the Hebrew interest in the subject. The basic Hebrew term translated “dance” means to twist or to whirl about in circular motions. Other terms for dance mean “to spring about,” “to jump,” “to leap,” “to skip.” One term seems to have been used of processional marches or dances at feasts and holidays.

The Greek terms for dance mean “row” or “ring.” The two terms are used five times in the New Testament ( Matthew 11:17;  Matthew 14:6;  Mark 6:22;  Luke 7:32;  Luke 15:25 ). Dances were performed for different purposes. The mood behind the dance was one of celebration and praise.

Dances celebrated military victories. Women sang and danced, accompanied by musical instruments. Miriam and other Israelite women sang and danced in celebration of the victory at the Red Sea ( Exodus 15:20-21 ). Jephthah's daughter danced before her victorious father ( Judges 11:34 ) as did the Israelite women when David returned from having defeated the Philistines ( 1 Samuel 18:6 ). Men also danced to celebrate military victory ( 1 Samuel 30:16 ).

Dances were customary at weddings. On some occasions young ladies, dressed in their best clothing, danced in a bride-choosing ceremony ( Judges 21:1 ). Marriage processions involved dancing with timbrels and other musical instruments ( Psalm 45:14-15 ). Dances were performed in honor of the bride (Song of  Song of Solomon 6:13 ).

Some dances were performed for the sheer entertainment of guests. Salome danced before the princes and politicans gathered to celebrate her father's birthday ( Matthew 14:6;  Mark 6:22 ). Children played games of “dance” ( Job 21:11 ), often with the accompaniment of a musical instrument ( Matthew 11:17;  Luke 7:32 ). The return of a long lost son was cause for celebration and dancing ( Luke 15:25 ).

Religious celebration was most often the occasion for dancing. David danced before the ark as it was brought into Jerusalem (2Samuel 6:14, 2 Samuel 6:16;  1 Chronicles 15:29 ). The psalmist exhorted others to praise God with music and dancing ( Psalm 149:3;  Psalm 150:4 ). Also pagans used the dance as a means of honoring their gods ( 1 Kings 18:26 ).

In summary, the dance of the Jewish people was similar to what we today call the folk dance. It was performed by both males and females, though apparently not in mixed groups. Both group and individual dances were performed.

Glenn McCoy

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

Dance, Dancing

I think it not a little important, for every serious reader of the Bible, to have proper ideas of the Scripture meaning of dancing, and therefore it would have been wrong, in a work of this kind, to have passed it by. It is very evident, that dancing formed, sometimes, a part in the religious duties of the Hebrews. Hence we read, ( Psalms 149:3) "Let them praise his name in the dance." And David is said, ( 2 Samuel 6:14) to have danced before the Lord. Yea, the Lord himself is represented, ( Jeremiah 31:4) as comforting his people with this assurance, "that they should again go forth in the dances of them that make merry." All which very evidently proves, that the dancing spoken of in Scripture totally differed from that vain, frivolous, and idle, not to say sinful, custom of dancing practised in modern times. It should seem to have been used among the people of God in a solemn manner, though, no doubt, accompanied with bursts of holy joy and praise. Hence, when "Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women went after her with timbrels and with dances," at the triumph over the enemies of God and the church at the Red sea, we are told, that she answered them in holy song—"Sing ye to the Lord, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea." ( Exodus 15:20-21) Some have thought, that the holy dances of the Scripture were by way of resembling the motions of the heavenly bodies, as if in the joy of the heart, in any renewed instances of God's grace and mercy manifested to the people, they looked up to heaven, and endeavoured by action of the body, as well as the going forth of the soul in praise, to testify their sense of the divine goodness. And certain it is, that when the heart is under very strong impressions of the Lord's special favour, there will be an involuntary motion of the whole frame. Even in modern times we have heard of whole congregations, such as the Jumpers in Wales, and the Shakers (so called) in America, whose devotions have been marked with action as well as voice. Yea, the Holy Ghost hath testified of certain instances where "smiting the thigh, and stamping the foot," have been observed as solemn tokens towards the Lord. (See  Jeremiah 31:19;  Ezekiel 6:11) But all these are so foreign to what is now known by the term dancing, that they differ in every point but the name. I cannot dismiss this article without adding, that it were devoutly to be wished every parent of the rising generation would seriously consider to what danger of seduction they are preparing their little ones, when sending them forth to the dance. Who shall calculate the numberless instances of the kind, which dancing, by inflaming the passions, hath given birth to in modern life! (See a solemn account of such parents, and such children, with the issue of both,)  Job 21:11-13

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

The Hebrew word signified "to leap for joy,"  Psalm 30:11; and the action of the lame man healed by Peter and John,  Acts 3:8 , more nearly resembled the Hebrew dancing than the measured artificial steps of modern times do. The Jewish dances were expressive of religious joy and gratitude. Sometimes they were in honor of a conqueror, as in the case of David,  1 Samuel 18:6,7; when he had slain the Philistine giant, "the women came out all the cities of Israel singing and dancing." It was practiced on occasions of domestic joy. See the case of the prodigal son's return. In the religious dance, the timbrel was used to direct the ceremony, and some one led, whom the rest followed with measured step and devotional songs; thus Miriam led the women of Israel,  Exodus 15:20,21 , and king David the men,  2 Samuel 6:14   Psalm 150:4 .

Several important conclusions have been drawn from a careful comparison of the portions of Scripture in which there is allusions to dancing. It was religious in its character; practiced exclusively on joyous occasions; only by one of the sexes; usually in the daytime, and in the open air: no instances are on record in which the two sexes united in the exercise; and it was not practiced for amusement. The exceptions to this latter assertion are "vain fellows," alluded to by Michal,  2 Samuel 6:20 , the ungodly rich families referred to by Job,  Job 21:11 , and the daughter of Herodias,  Matthew 14:6 .

Among the Greeks and Romans dancing was a common pastime, resorted to in order to enliven feasts, and also on occasions of domestic joy. Still Cicero says, "No one dances, unless he is either drunk or mad;" and these words express the prevailing sense as to the impropriety of respectable individuals taking part in the amusement. Hence the gay circles of Rome, as is the case in the East at the present time, derived their entertainment from the performances of professional dancers. These were women of abandoned character; and their dances, like those in heathen temples, were often grossly indecent,  Isaiah 23:16 .

Bridgeway Bible Dictionary

For the Israelites, dancing was a form of public rejoicing. Usually the women were the ones who danced, though men also danced on occasions ( Exodus 15:20;  Judges 21:21;  Jeremiah 31:4;  Jeremiah 31:13). People danced to celebrate great national occasions such as victories over enemies ( 1 Samuel 18:6-7), or private occasions such as the return of a long-separated member of the family ( Luke 15:23-25). There were, however, indecent kinds of dancing, such as those associated with idolatry and certain forms of entertainment ( Exodus 32:19;  Mark 6:21-22).

Children liked to dance in some of the games they played ( Job 21:11;  Matthew 11:17), and people in general liked to dance at some of Israel’s more joyous religious festivals ( Judges 21:19-21). Dancing was part of Israel’s public expression of praise to God after the crossing of the Red Sea ( Exodus 15:20-21) and during the bringing of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem ( 2 Samuel 6:14-15). In time, it became a regular part of Israel’s public worship ( Psalms 149:3;  Psalms 150:4). (See also Music ; Singing .)

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

It is still the custom in the east to testify their respect for persons of distinction by music and dancing. When Baron Du Tott, who was sent by the French government to respect their factories in the Levant, approached an encampment of Turcomans, between Aleppo and Alexandretta, the musicians of the different hordes turned out, playing and dancing before him all the time he and his escort were passing by their camp. Thus, it will be recollected, "the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music," when he returned in triumph from the slaughter of the Philistines. In the oriental dances, in which the women engage by themselves, the lady of highest rank in the company takes the lead, and is followed by her companions, who imitate her steps, and if she sings, make up the chorus. The tunes are extremely gay and lively, yet with something in them wonderfully soft. The steps are varied according to the pleasure of her who leads the dance, but always in exact time. This statement may enable us to form a correct idea of the dance, which the women of Israel performed under the direction of Miriam, on the banks of the Red Sea. The prophetess, we are told, "took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women went out after her, with timbrels and dances." She led the dance, while they imitated her steps, which were not conducted according to a set, well- known form, as in this country, but extemporaneous. The conjecture of Mr. Harmer is extremely probable, that David did not dance alone before the Lord, when he brought up the ark, but as being the highest in rank, and more skilful than any of the people, he led the religious dance of the males.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Χορός (Strong'S #5525 — Noun Masculine — choros — khor-os' )

Eng., "chorus", primarily denoted "an enclosure for dancing;" hence, "a company of dancers and singers." The supposition that the word is connected with orcheo by metathesis (i.e., change of place, of the letters ch and o) seems to be without foundation. The word is used in  Luke 15:25 .

Charles Spurgeon's Illustration Collection

When I hear of a dancing party I fed an uneasy: about the throat, remembering that a far greater preacher had his head danced off in the days of our Lord. However pleasing the polkas of Herodias might be to Herod, they were death to John the Baptist. The caperings and wantonings of the ball-room are death to the solemn influences of our ministry, and many an ill-ended life first received its bent for evil amid the flippancies of gay assemblies met to trip away the hours.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( p. a. & vb. n.) from Dance.

(2): ( p. pr. & vb. n.) of Dance

King James Dictionary

D'ANCING, ppr. Leaping and stepping to the sound of the voice or of an instrument moving in measured steps frisking about.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

DANCING . See Games.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

A form of religious dancing sometimes made part of the public worship of the early Christians. The custom was borrowed from the Jews, in whose solemn processions choirs of young men and maidens, moving in time with solemn music, always bore a part. It must not be supposed that the "religious dances" had any similarity to modern amusements; they were rather processions in which all who took part marched in time with the hymns which they sung. The custom was very early laid aside, probably because it might have led to the adoption of such objectionable dances as were employed in honor of the pagan deities. Prohibitions of dancing, as an amusement, abound in the Church fathers and in the decrees of the councils. See Bingham, Orig. Eccl. bk. xvi, ch. xi, 15. On dancing as an amusement, see Crane, On Dancing, N. Y. 12mo.