Bible Dictionary
Dance
Dancing in Scripture commonly expressed joy, celebration, thanksgiving, or mourning’s opposite. It was often performed by women with music and timbrels, while David famously danced before the ark of the Lord.
Biblical Usage
Hebrew women commonly danced with timbrels in religious celebrations. David danced before the ark, while the daughter of Herodias danced alone. Scripture also uses dancing symbolically for rejoicing.
Scripture References
Judges 21:21
Judges 21:23
Psalms 30:11
Psalms 149:3
Psalms 150:4
Jeremiah 31:4
Jeremiah 31:13
Ecclesiastes 3:4
Job 21:11
Isaiah 13:21
Luke 15:25
Matthew 11:17
Matthew 14:6
Matthew 11
Exodus 15:20
1 Samuel 18:6
Judges 11:34
2 Samuel 6:14
Exodus 32:18
Exodus 32:19
1 Samuel 21:11
Judges 21:19-23
Mark 6:22