Bible Dictionary
CLAP
Clapping the hands can express joy, triumph, or exultation, as in praise to God. It can also show indignation or repudiation; figuratively, Scripture describes floods and trees as clapping their hands in rejoicing.
Definition
Clapping the hands is an emphatic gesture that may express joy, triumph, exultation, indignation, or repudiation. Scripture also uses it figuratively of nature rejoicing.
Biblical Usage
People clap their hands in joy at royal celebration and in praise to God. The action may also express scorn or repudiation. Floods and trees are poetically said to clap their hands in sympathy with God’s people.
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>An emphatic expression of joy, "They clapped their hands (nakhah), and said, Long live (the King James Version "God save") the king" (2Ki 11:12); "Oh clap your hands (taqa`), all ye peoples" (Ps 47:1); or exultation (caphaq, La 2:15; macha', Eze 25:6; taqa`, Na 3:19); or repudiation (caphaq, Job 27:23; 34:37).</p><p>Figurative: To denote Nature's "sympathy" with God's people. "Let the floods clap (macha') their hands" (Ps 98:8); "All the trees of the field shall clap their hands" (Isa 55:12; compare Jud 5:20).</p>