Symbol of Praise
Dancing is primarily a physical and visual means of praising, honoring and thanking God. In the Bible it is often combined with song and instrumentation. Movement joins human and inanimate sound to praise G-d. Dance is one way of thanking and confessing G-d before others. The psalmist tells us to praise G-d before others. The psalmist tells us to praise G-d "with tambourine and dance; ... Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!" (Ps 150:4, 6; 149:3 NRSV)

Dancing and instrumentation are related to prophecy. Miriam the prophetess commanded the women of her time to thank G-d for making them victorious over their Egyptian enemies (Ex 15:20-21). The context here is a post battle victory celebration, usually led by women meeting returning warriors. This is also the proper understanding of Isaiah 52:7, which should be translated "How beautiful are the dancing feet of the women [a feminine participle in Hebrew] who spread the good news of peace"). Dancing was used to celebrate G-d's victory in battle and the human "weapons" who were used by G-d (Judg 11:34; 1Sam 18:6-7; 21:11; 29:5). The prophets who met Saul also danced and played instruments (1 Sam 10:5).

In the Bible dancing always symbolizes joy, the opposite of mourning; "You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy" (Ps 30:11; Lam 5:15; Eccles 3:4).

When David and the Israelites dance, sing and play instruments as the ark of the covenant comes into Jerusalem, David's uninhibited dance to G-d is described as a whirling, sporting, agile leaping. On the one hand praise of G-d is more important than class, status, and propriety (2Sam 6:14-21). On the other hand, this ecstatic worship of God is not more important than obedience (2Sam 6:5-7; 1Chron 15:2).

As with all the arts, dancing is not limited to the pious. It was an integral part of everyday events in antiquity. The young women danced at the vineyards while playing their hand drums (Judg 21:21; Jer 31:4, 13). The Shulammite's dance was as beautiful as two dance troops (Song 6:13). When the prodigal son repented, the father ordered a feast and a company of dancers (Lk 15:23-25).

Since dance was part of everyday life in the ancient world, it was part of evil activities as well. Herod's daughter danced so effectively before the guest that she won the head of John the Baptist from the reluctant Herod (Mt 14:6,7; Mk 6:22). The Amalekites ate, drank and danced when they defeated the Philistines (1 Sam 30:16). The misled Israelites danced when they gave credit to their handmade calf for all their success instead of giving it to the living God (Ex 32:4, 19: 1Kings 18:26).

Symbol of Freedom and Equality
A brief but profound metaphoric use of dance occurs in the NT. Jesus describes His ministry of eating and drinking as a call to dance: "We played the flute for you, and you did not dance: (MT 11:17; Lk 7:32 NRSV). Dance here symbolizes joy in living, a freedom to enjoy G-d's materials gifts and to enjoy the company of all people, sinners included (LK 7:34). Even as Jesus was accused by the pious of being " a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners," so too Queen Michal "despised" David in her heart for leaping and dancing "as any vulgar fellow might" (2 Sam 6:16, 20 NRSV).

Dance in the Bible symbolizes praise, freedom and equality. An apt summary of its significance is found in the personification of wisdom, a crucial quality needed by artisits (Ex 28:3; 31:3, 6:35:10). Wisdom itself dances, makes sport, laughs. As G-d created the world, wisdom was G-d's architect, daily dancing before G-d's face (Prov 8:30). G-d created the world with a dance-like joy, and we humans are to respond with a joyful dance.