Some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 2 Peter 3:16
And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot.... And Moses said unto Aaron, What did this people unto thee, that thou hast brought so great a sin upon them? ... Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Put every man his sword by his side, and go in and out from gate to gate throughout the camp, and slay every man his brother, and every man his companion, and every man his neighbour. And the children of Levi did according to the word of Moses: and there fell of the people that day about three thousand men. Exodus 32:19-28Herodias's daughter danced at King Herod's birthday party. Herod liked the dance so much that he granted her request and gave her John the Baptist's head on a platter.
But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. Matthew 14:6-8 (See also Mk 6:21-28)In Galatians, Paul condemns "the works of the flesh," which included "revellings, as such like" -- like dancing.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:19-21
And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. And Miriam answered them, Sing ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. Exodus 15:20-21To celebrate Jephthah's God-assisted slaughter of the Ammonites, his daughter greeted him "with dances."
And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances. Judges 11:34After David killed Goliath, the women danced in every city of Israel, singing:
Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands. 1 Samuel 18:6-7David danced half-naked in front of God. (God loved it, as he loved pretty much everything that David did.)
And David danced before the LORD with all his might. 2 Samuel 6:14The book of Psalms tells us to praise God by dancing.
Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. Psalm 30:10-12Ecclesiastes tells us there is "a time to dance."Let them praise his name in the dance. Psalm 149:3
Praise him with the timbrel and dance. Psalm 150:4
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; Ecclesiastes 3:1-4God encourages the virgin of Israel to dance and make merry.
O virgin of Israel: thou shalt again be adorned with thy tabrets, and shalt go forth in the dances of them that make merry. Jeremiah 31:4When God makes the good times roll,
Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance. Jeremiah 31:13And in Jesus's parable of the prodigal son, everyone danced when the son returned home.
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 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; 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. Luke 15:22-25
