Dancing 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 31:4,13). People danced to celebrate great national occasions such as victories over enemies (1 Samuel 1:18-7), or private occasions such as the return of a long-separated member of the family (Luke 1:15-25). There were, however, indecent kinds of dancing, such as those associated with idolatry and certain forms of entertainment (Exodus 32:19; Mark 1:6-22).
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 1:21). Dancing was part of Israel’s public expression of praise to God after the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 1:15-21) and during the bringing of the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 1:6-15). In time, it became a regular part of Israel’s public worship (Psalms 149:3; Psalms 150:4). (See also Music; SinGING.)