20 Bible Verses About Value (With Commentary)

Dance is often seen in the Bible as a form of joyful expression, celebration, and worship. It represents a physical manifestation of praise, joy, and thanksgiving before God. In Scripture, dance is sometimes used to celebrate victories, express freedom, or show reverence to God. Whether in worship, celebration, or expression of emotions, dance has a meaningful place in the life of God’s people. Below are 20 Bible verses about dance, accompanied by commentary to provide insight into how dance is viewed within a biblical context.

1. Psalm 149:3

“Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.”

This verse encourages believers to praise God with dancing and music. Dance is portrayed here as a joyful expression of worship. It shows that dancing, when done in praise to God, is an acceptable and joyful act of worship, highlighting the freedom and joy we have in celebrating God’s goodness.

2. 2 Samuel 6:14

“Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might.”

David’s dance before the Lord is an example of wholehearted, uninhibited worship. This verse shows that dancing can be a passionate and personal expression of devotion to God. David’s dance was an act of gratitude and celebration, emphasizing that worship involves our whole being, including physical movement.

3. Psalm 30:11

“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.”

This verse illustrates how God transforms sorrow into joy, symbolized by turning mourning into dancing. Dance here reflects a response to God’s restoration and blessings. When God intervenes in our lives, bringing healing or deliverance, it naturally leads to joy and celebration, often expressed through dancing.

4. Exodus 15:20

“Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her, with timbrels and dancing.”

After the Israelites crossed the Red Sea and witnessed God’s deliverance, Miriam led the women in dance. This verse shows that dancing can be an appropriate response to God’s acts of salvation. It demonstrates that dancing in community is a powerful way to express collective joy and thanksgiving to God.

5. Ecclesiastes 3:4

“A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

In this well-known verse, dance is seen as a natural and appropriate response during joyful seasons of life. It shows that while there are moments for mourning, there are also times for celebration and dancing. Dance is part of the rhythm of life, reflecting the ebb and flow of emotions.

6. Jeremiah 31:13

“Then young women will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.”

In this verse, God promises to restore joy and bring comfort to His people, leading to a response of dancing and gladness. Dancing is seen as a joyful reaction to God’s blessings and provision, symbolizing the transformation from sorrow to joy that comes through God’s intervention.

7. Luke 15:25

“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.”

In the parable of the prodigal son, dancing is a part of the celebration of the younger son’s return. This verse shows that dancing can be part of a joyful celebration of restoration and reconciliation, especially when it signifies the return of a loved one or a significant life event.

8. Psalm 150:4

“Praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe.”

This verse encourages praising God through various forms, including dancing. It reveals that dancing is a valid and joyful way to worship God. Alongside musical instruments, dance is portrayed as an expression of exuberant praise, showing that physical movement can enhance our worship.

9. Judges 11:34

“When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, who should come out to meet him but his daughter, dancing to the sound of timbrels!”

Jephthah’s daughter greeted him with dancing upon his return from battle, demonstrating that dance was a common expression of joy and celebration. This verse reflects how dance was often used in biblical times to celebrate victories and significant life events, representing joy and honor.

10. 1 Samuel 18:6

“When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres.”

This verse describes women dancing in celebration of David’s victory over Goliath. Their dance reflects communal joy and gratitude. Dance was an integral part of public celebration, especially during times of triumph, and was used to express praise and honor for those who brought deliverance.

11. Lamentations 5:15

“Joy is gone from our hearts; our dancing has turned to mourning.”

This verse highlights the loss of joy in times of suffering. It shows that dancing represents joy and celebration, and when that is taken away, mourning replaces it. The absence of dance reflects the depth of grief, while its presence marks seasons of joy and celebration.

12. Matthew 11:17

“We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.”

Jesus uses this analogy to describe the unresponsiveness of His generation to both joyful and sorrowful events. The mention of dance here symbolizes a missed opportunity to rejoice and celebrate. It reflects the cultural expectation that dance was a normal part of celebrations, and its absence suggests an unfulfilled experience of joy.

13. Isaiah 30:29

“And you will sing as on the night you celebrate a holy festival; your hearts will rejoice as when people playing pipes go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the Rock of Israel.”

This verse implies that celebration, including dancing and music, is part of worship and religious festivals. Dancing was not only a social expression but also part of sacred festivities, reflecting the joy of being in God’s presence and celebrating His faithfulness.

14. Zephaniah 3:17

“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Though not explicitly mentioning dance, this verse portrays God’s joyful delight over His people. It shows that God’s love and rejoicing over us invite us into joyful expressions like singing and dancing in response to His favor and presence. It suggests that dancing can mirror God’s joy over us.

15. 1 Chronicles 15:29

“As the ark of the covenant of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David dancing and celebrating, she despised him in her heart.”

David’s public dance of celebration as the Ark entered Jerusalem was criticized by Michal, Saul’s daughter. This verse reveals that not everyone appreciates or understands the joy expressed through dance, yet it was David’s way of glorifying God. Dance can be a deeply personal act of worship, even if misunderstood by others.

16. Psalm 87:7

“As they make music they will sing, ‘All my fountains are in you.'”

Though dance is not explicitly mentioned, the verse speaks of music and joyful celebration, which often included dancing in biblical times. It emphasizes the role of music and joyful expressions in worshiping God, showing that dancing and music are intertwined in praising Him.

17. Song of Solomon 6:13

“Come back, come back, O Shulammite; come back, come back, that we may gaze on you! Why would you gaze on the Shulammite as on the dance of Mahanaim?”

The “dance of Mahanaim” is used poetically here to describe beauty and grace. This verse reflects how dance can symbolize beauty, movement, and attraction, showing that dance in Scripture also has connotations of elegance and expression beyond worship.

18. Jeremiah 31:4

“I will build you up again, and you, Virgin Israel, will be rebuilt. Again you will take up your timbrels and go out to dance with the joyful.”

This prophetic verse promises the restoration of Israel, with dancing as a symbol of renewed joy and celebration. It shows that after a season of hardship, dance will once again be part of Israel’s expression of joy and gratitude for God’s faithfulness.

19. Exodus 32:19

“When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain.”

Not all instances of dance in the Bible are positive. In this verse, the Israelites’ dance around the golden calf reflected idolatry. This serves as a reminder that while dance can be a form of worship, its purpose matters. Dance should glorify God, not false idols or sinful behaviors.

20. Mark 6:22

“When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests.”

Herodias’ daughter’s dance was used manipulatively to influence Herod. This verse shows that not all forms of dance are positive or used for worship. While dance can be a beautiful expression of joy, it can also be misused, reminding us that the intent behind the dance matters to God.

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