The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum Dance and worship...again

Eleanor,<br><br>First of all, beware of such assertions as the one you have posted that want to "play with words" in order to justify an idea that does not exist or to distort a biblical one.<br><br>1) The Festivals which were to be kept by Israel cannot be construed as being "worship" in the strictest sense of the word. Corporate worship was only to be done at the Tabernacle or Temple. There were those times in the later history of Israel where altars were allowed to be built throughout the land for those who were not able to make the sometimes long journey. However, the point is still true, that corporate worship was commanded to be done at fixed places and with strict regulations. So, just on this one point, their argument which tries to justify dancing in worship falls to the ground.<br><br>2) Grammatical considerations. Let's take Exodus 12:14, as a paradigm in considering the meaning of the word "festival". And, we can go a step further and even use Strong as they are doing. Strongs gives this definition to the word "feast", as it first appears in this passage:<br><br>or chag {khawg}; <br>from 2287; a festival, or a victim therefor:--(solemn) feast (day), sacrifice, solemnity.<br><br>As you can see, there is not even the slightest hint that a feast is related to "dance".<br><br>In the second instance of "feast" in this passage, Strong gives this definition of the Hebrew word:<br><br> chagag khaw-gag'<br>a primitive root (compare 2283, 2328); properly, to move in a circle, i.e. (specifically) to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by implication, to be giddy:--celebrate, dance, (keep, hold) a (solemn) feast (holiday), reel to and fro<br><br>In this instance there are alternate definitions given for the word. This means that the context should determine which definition of the word is to be used. Since the first instance of the word is clearly one of solemnity, a solemn festival, then to assert that the meaning of the second word, translated "festival" should mean dance, would clearly contradict the first.<br><br>3) The Hebrew had specific words for "dance"; there are several. But as an example, I will use these passages:<blockquote>Judges 21:21a "and see, and, behold, if the daughters of Shiloh come out to dance in the dances, . . ."</blockquote>Strong lists for the word "dance" this:<br><br> chuwl khool<br>or chiyl {kheel}; a primitive root; properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e. (specifically) to dance, to writhe in pain (especially of parturition) or fear; figuratively, to wait, to pervert:--bear, (make to) bring forth, (make to) calve, dance, drive away, fall grievously (with pain), fear, form, great, grieve, (be) grievous, hope, look, make, be in pain, be much (sore) pained, rest, shake, shapen, (be) sorrow(-ful), stay, tarry, travail (with pain), tremble, trust, wait carefully (patiently), be wounded.<br><br>For the word "dances", Strong lists it as:<br><br>m@chowlah mek-o-law'<br>feminine of 4284; a dance:--company, dances(-cing).<blockquote>Psalms 149:3 (ASV) Let them praise his name in the dance: Let them sing praises unto him with timbrel and harp.</blockquote>And again, Strong has for this word, translated as "dance" as:<br><br>machowl maw-khole'<br>from 2342; a (round) dance:--dance(-cing).<blockquote>Ecclesiastes 3:4 (KJV) A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;</blockquote>And Strong has for this word translated as "dance":<br><br>raqad raw-kad'<br>a primitive root; properly, to stamp, i.e. to spring about (wildly or for joy):--dance, jump, leap, skip.<br><br>As you can see, these words for "festival" and "dance" are different words entirely. They are totally unrelated. If the Holy Spirit wanted the inspired writers to indicate that the people of Israel were to "dance", by command at these festivals, it seems only logical that He would have chosen one of these other words that are used specifically to mean "dance". I think you can grasp this point easily enough. [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/wink.gif" alt="wink" title="wink[/img]<br><br>I am sure there are other arguments one could bring, and perhaps some will; and even better ones too? [img]http://www.the-highway.com/w3timages/icons/laugh.gif" alt="laugh" title="laugh[/img] However, these three alone, I believe, are sufficient in themselves to refute this idea that the Festivals are to be understood and equivalent to the corporate worship of the church and that dancing was commanded by God to be done at these festivals.<br><br>In His Grace,