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HEBREW words for DANCE and references in the BIBLE
CHIYL (2342) - to twist or whirl in a circular manner. Judges 21v21
MACHOWL (4234) - a round dance. Psalm 30v11 Jeremiah 31v4
MECHOWLAH (4246) - a dance / company of dancers. Judges 11v34 Exodus 15v20
DALAG (1801) - to leap or spring. Song of Solomon 2v8 Isaiah 35v6
CHAGAG (2287) - to move in a circle / march in a sacred procession / celebrate a festival / dance. Psalm 42v4 Zechariah 14v18
KARAR (3769) - to dance or whirl. 2 Samuel 6v14
RAQAD (7540) - to stamp / spring about / dance / jump / leap / skip. Chronicles 15v29 Ecclesiastes 3v4
PAZAZ (6339) - to spring or leap. 2 Samuel 6v16
PACACH (6452) - to hop / skip over / to dance. 1 Kings 18v26
GIYL/GUWL (1523) - to spin round under the influence of emotion (usually rejoice)
1 Chronicles 16v31 Psalm 9v14
ALATS (5970) - to jump for joy / be joyful / rejoice / triumph. Proverbs 28v12
Psalm 68v3
  
(Local Litergical Dancer from Wheeling, West Virginia. Notice the expressions, Pictures used by permission Thanks Rachel)
 The Lords Prayer to Dance
In the Holy Scriptures several words are translated into dance. In Ecclesiastes 3:4 it states: a time to mourn and a time to dance. The word rakad means to leap or skip about.
The word karar, which literally means whirling, was used to describe King Davids dance as the Ark was being brought to Jerusalem. II Samuel 6:14
Two other words, mahol and mhola, are derived from the root word hul. Interestingly, this verb contains two basic ideas. One is dance, whirling around in circular movements, and the other is writhing in labor pains, travail, tremble or fear.
Mahol is used in Psalms 149 and 150 in the context of praising God. Mhola is used to describe Miriam and others in a dance of joy after crossing the Red Sea. (Exodus 15:20)
Another example of mhola is from the Song of Solomon 6:13 describing the Shulamite.
The picture is of her being entreated to return so that her lover can behold and gaze upon her performing the dance of Mahanaim, which literally means 'double camp'. The term refers to a camp when Jacob was returning to the land of his fathers (Genesis 32:1-2). The angels of God met him and he said, "This is God's camp." Consequently, it could be understood that the Shulamites dancing was pleasing in the sight of God and His angels.
The root hul is used in Psalms 97:4 and 114:7 speaks of when the earth writhes or trembles as Gods power is displayed.
In Psalm 96:9 the translation as fear or tremble seems less appropriate. As all nations are to glorify Him and worship His holiness, a more accurate picture would be of people trembling in joy or even in dance. In combining the two basic ideas of the word mentioned above, one could think of dance as a way to travail in prayer as labor pains bring forth new life.
The picture is of her being entreated to return so that her lover can behold and gaze upon her performing the dance of Mahanaim, which literally means 'double camp'. The term refers to a camp when Jacob was returning to the land of his fathers (Genesis 32:1-2). The angels of God met him and he said, "This is God's camp." Consequently, it could be understood that the Shulamites dancing was pleasing in the sight of God and His angels.
The root hul is used in Psalms 97:4 and 114:7 speaks of when the earth writhes or trembles as Gods power is displayed.
In Psalm 96:9 the translation as fear or tremble seems less appropriate. As all nations are to glorify Him and worship His holiness, a more accurate picture would be of people trembling in joy or even in dance. In combining the two basic ideas of the word mentioned above, one could think of dance as a way to travail in prayer as labor pains bring forth new life.
Its time for us to Dance as David Did
To worship God in dance is biblical. The Bible commends it (Psalm 149:3; 150:4). Scripture gives many references to the use of dance as a form of joyous celebration and of reverent worship.
In the Hebrew tradition, dance functioned as a medium of prayer and praise, as an expression of joy and reverence, and as a mediator between God and humanity (Taylor 1976:81). This understanding of dance permeated the faith of the early Christian church. During the Middle Ages despite increasing proscriptions against the use of dance, it continued to be utilized as a medium of prayer and praise. However, by the time of the Reformation the church, both Catholic and Protestant, had eliminated dance from worship.
The Early Christian Church (A.D. 100-500) Next page
  
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