Overview
The Bible addresses dancing across 9 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Judges, 2 Samuel and Luke. Closely related themes include Benjamin, Tribe Of, Jerusalem, God and Joy. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Michal and Saul.
Key Bible verses about dancing
Old Testament
Judges
Then they said, Behold, there is a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly in a place which is on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah. yearly: Heb. from year to year on the east: or, toward the sunrising of the highway: or, on the highway
Therefore they commanded the children of Benjamin, saying, Go and lie in wait in the vineyards;
And see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in dances, then come ye out of the vineyards, and catch you every man his wife of the daughters of Shiloh, and go to the land of Benjamin.
2 Samuel
And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod.
So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.
And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.
New Testament
Luke
And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
For this my son was dead, and is alive again;2532 he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
People in the Bible and dancing
Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.
In the Bible dictionary
Studying dancing for yourself
- Begin with Judges 21:19, then read the passages below in canonical order.
- Compare how Judges, 2 Samuel and Luke each treat the theme.
- Consider the lives of David, Michal and Saul and how their stories intersect with it.
- Widen the study to related themes: Benjamin, Tribe Of, Jerusalem, God and Joy.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Bible say about dancing?
The Bible addresses dancing across 9 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Judges, 2 Samuel and Luke. Closely related themes include Benjamin, Tribe Of, Jerusalem, God and Joy. Figures whose stories touch this theme include David, Michal and Saul.
How many Bible verses are about dancing?
The Bible references dancing in 9 verses (King James Version).
Where does the Bible first mention dancing?
In canonical order, the first of these passages is Judges 21:19: “Then they said, Behold, there is a feast of the LORD in Shiloh yearly in a place which is on the north side of Bethel, on the east side of the highway that goeth up from Bethel to Shechem, and on the south of Lebonah. yearly: Heb. from year to year on the east: or, toward the sunrising of the highway: or, on the highway”
Which people in the Bible are associated with dancing?
David, Michal and Saul.
Preach & teach
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