Dance: Found in
(Judges 21:21,23; Psalms 30:11; 149:3; 150:4; Jeremiah 31:4,13) etc., as the
translation of hul, which points to the whirling motion of Oriental
sacred dances. It is the rendering of a word (rakad') which means to
skip or leap for joy, in
(Ecclesiastes 3:4; Job 21:11; Isaiah 13:21) etc. 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) Comp.
(Psalms 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.
(Judges 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)
