The Principle of REJOICING & PRAISING the Lord through DANCE

[Kingdom of ZION]

The Principle of REJOICING and PRAISING the Lord through DANCE
Known as, 'Hebrew Folk Dancing by Jews & Davidic Dancing by Messianic Jews'
In reality it is 'Worship Dancing' that were commanded to do in the Scriptures


Jews of all different sects dance traditional Folk Dances, and have for
thousands of years. What might they know that the Gentiles (initially
Christians and then later the Mormons) do not know about the significance of
Worship Dancing? David of old, danced before the Lord in the Temple and his
offering was accepted. In this century, Messianic Jew's have began to dance
what they are calling 'Davidic Dancing'. This form of Worship Dancing uses
traditional dances and dance steps danced to new music ballots and the use of
a much larger mixture of instruments. Messianic Worship Dancing naturally
incorporates folk style movements that represent the influences of the Jewish
people living in the Diaspora, after their expulsion from Israel to the four
corners of the earth (which is their roots, heritage and traditions), but it
also incorporates modern Christian styles of music and songs. Davidic Dances
are always in a worshipful context using Messianic imagery and is very
distinct from Israeli dance which uses the roots of dance from worship, but
the purpose now is mainly social and the keeping of tradition.

The real questions that needs to be answered here is this, "Is it the
command of the Lord's to us, that we as His children do Praise Him though
ACTIONS being MOVEMENTS and DEEDS or WORKS as well as through VOICES being
PRAYERS and SINGING?" YES! YES! YES! He does!

It was King David of old who had more to say concerning Dancing before
the Lord than any other servant of the Lord:

"And David danced [3769] before the Lord with all his might..."
(2 Samuel 6:14)
"...King David leaping [6339] and dancing [3769] before the Lord."
(2 Samuel 6:16)

Might this be directly connected to he being the one who the Lord said, "was
the man after His own heart, which shall fulfil all my will." (Acts 13:22)
David in Psalms said:

"1 PRAISE ye the LORD. Sing unto the LORD a new song, [and] his
PRAISE in the congregation of saints.
2 Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion
be joyful in their King.
3 LET THEM PRAISE HIS NAME IN THE DANCE: let them sing PRAISES unto
him with the timbrel and harp.
4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the
meek with salvation."
(Psalms 149:1-4, capitalization added)

David continued on and said:

"1 PRAISE ye the LORD. PRAISE God in his sanctuary [Temple]: PRAISE
him in the firmament [heavens] of his power.
2 PRAISE him for his mighty acts: PRAISE him according to his
excellent greatness.
3 PRAISE him with the sound of the trumpet: PRAISE him with the
psaltery and harp.
4 PRAISE him with the timbrel and DANCE: PRAISE him with stringed
instruments and organs.
5 PRAISE him upon the loud cymbals: PRAISE him upon the high
sounding cymbals.
6 Let every thing that hath breath PRAISE the LORD. PRAISE ye the
LORD."
(Psalms 150:6, capitalization added)

The key here to understanding what David was saying is, what did David
mean by 'Praise'? In Hebrew, we find that the word is 'Halal' [1984] which is
usually found in the phrase 'Hallelujah'. In verse 1 of 149, where the Lord
Himself Praises, the word is Tehillal [8416] a hymn of Praise. Hallal and
Hillal is to make clear, by sound but usually by color; to make a show, boast,
to celebrate, to give light, to shine. It really sounds like Hallel is to Sing
but more usually and correctly, it is to make a show of color. Coloring of
clothing was reserved for the Priests robes, the rich, and only ones best
clothing. Times that you would wear such clothing would be in the Temple and
attending Synagogue for Feasts, Shabbat, Weddings, Bar Mitzvah and other such
special occasions. These are all times in ancient Israel when they would
assembled to Sing and Dance, letting their light shine.

In the New Testament, Paul in Ecclesiastes, declare all things that have
purpose and a season:

"1 TO every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose
under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time
to pluck up [that which is] planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a
time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time
TO DANCE;"
(Ecclesiastes 3:4, capitalization added)

In the latter days, when the Lord shall gather His Elect from the four
corner of the earth, Jeremiah said:

"9 They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead
them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight
way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and
Ephraim [is] my firstborn.
10 Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare [it] in the
isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and
keep him, as a shepherd [doth] his flock.
11 For the LORD hath redeemed Jacob, and ransomed him from the hand
of [him that was] stronger than he.
12 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and
shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine,
and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their
soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at
all.
13 Then shall THE VIRGIN REJOICE IN THE DANCE, BOTH YOUNG MEN AND
OLD TOGETHER: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort
them, and make them REJOICE from their sorrow."
(Jeremiah 31:9-13, capitalization added)

The Lord will make us Rejoice from our sorrows, and we shall "REJOICE in
the Dance". What is meant here to Rejoice? At first thought we would commonly
think that to Rejoice is to cry aloud or brake forth in song. However, is that
what the Prophets of old mean, and more importantly, what is the eternal
principle and will of the Lord Most High? It has been made known that even the
Lord himself will Rejoice over us in song:

"17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee [is] mighty; he will save,
he will REJOICE over thee with JOY; he will rest in his love, he will JOY
over thee with singing."
(KJV Zephaniah 3:17, capitalization added)

Many other translations such as the Modern King James Version, also add a
second Rejoice rather then a second Joy found in the original King James
Translation. In the MKJV, it also changes the one Joy into Gladness:

"17 The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He
will REJOICE over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He
will REJOICE over you with singing."
(MKJV Zephaniah 3:17, capitalization added)

So the Lord also Rejoices too. Let's look at the scripture from Zephaniah
above. The word Joy or Rejoice is from the Hebrew word "Yagil", which
literally means to "spin round in joy". 'God will spin round in joy over His
people, we will rest in His love and he will spinning round over them with
singing'. Interestingly, REJOICE and DANCE are the same word in Aramaic, the
common language spoken in the region while our Lord Yehoshua, the Messiah was
upon the earth. We know from the written Word and Tenach that while the Temple
in Jerusalem existed, there was always choreographed dances of worship and
that dances were also danced in most homes for hospitality. We have the fine
examples of Miriam and David in Exodus and 2 Samuel using choreographed
worship dance steps. Both these leaders used Dance to show forth their faith
before Israel. One thing that was most likely is that Yehoshua, the Messiah
himself Danced, in fact it was His duty as a Rabbi to lead communal Dances in
honour of the bride at a wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11 JST John 2:11). It was
considered an act of religious duty and it would be His duty to perform it
joyously. So should we do less when this in preparing for the coming wedding
of the Bridegroom (Matthew 22:1-14, JST Matthew 22:1-14)?

So what is it to REJOICE? There are many words used in the Tanach that
should have been translated as Dance in the King James Version (KJV). These
words are (for us) a detailed description of movement, the majority of which
is used in a Davidic Dance today. Here are some examples:

In looking at the word 'Rejoice' in the Old Testament; First, we note
that it is used 147 times (over 300 times in the Standard Works), with
'Rejoicing' used 15 times, 'Rejoiced' 33 times, 'Rejoiceth' 13 times,
'Rejoicest' once (for a total of 209 times in the OT). In looking up 'Rejoice'
in the Webster Unabridged Dictionary, we find that it means to: experience joy
and gladness in a high degree, to be exhilarated with lively or pleasurable
sensations, to exult, to be full of joy. Many words in English with the 're'
attached at the beginning, means simple 'again' or 'anew', and though this
does not apply particularly to this word, it does when one is command to by
the Lord, such as "thou shalt REJOICE before the LORD thy God" Deut 12:18, and
many other variation of this theme found in the Scriptures. We Rejoiced before
the Lord before time, before this world. To Rejoice here is to Rejoice 'Anew'
to Rejoice 'Again'. Secondly, we find that there are many words that were
translate into English as 'Rejoice'. All of the words translated have similar
meanings: to jump for joy, to spin around, to be glad, joyful, or rejoice.
Here is the Hebrew words that Rejoice (rejoiced, rejoicest, rejoicings,
rejoices, rejoiceth) are translated from (with each Dance Steps or acts of
worship being listed in all caps [bracketed numbers are Strong's Concordance
numbers]):

Giyl (gneel) or Guwl (gool) 26 times. Prime root to SPIN AROUND (under
the influence of any violent emotion) i.e. usually the influence
rejoicing, to be glad, joy. [1523] Sites: 1 Chr 16:31, Ps 2:11,
9:14, 13:4, 5, 14:7, 16:9, 21:1, 51:8, 53:6, 89:16, 97:1, 8, 118:24,
Prov 23:24, 25, Isa 9:3, 29:19, 35:1, 2, 41:16, 65:18, 19, Hos 10:5,
Zech 9:9, 10:7.

Giyl (gheel) 3 times. A revolution of times (age), also joy, exceedingly,
gladness, greatly, joy, rejoice, rejoicing. [1524] Sites: Ps 32:11,
45:15, 65:12.

Giylah (ghee-law) or Giylath (Ghee-lath) 1 time. Feminine form of 1523,
to SPIN AROUND. [1525] Site: Isa 65:18.

Chadah (khaw-daw) 1 time. To BE JOINED, make glad, rejoice. [2302] Site:
Exo 18:9.

Masows (Maw-soce) 2 time. Delight (the cause or object), the feeling, joy
mirth, and rejoice. (4885) Sites: Isa 8:6, 62:5.

Alaz (aw-laze) 12 times. To JUMP for joy, i.e. exult, rejoice. [5937]
Sites: Ps 28:7, 60:6, 68:4, 108:7, Prov 23:16, Isa 23:12, Jer 11:15,
15:17, 32:41, 50:11, Hab 3:18, Zeph 3:14.

Alez (Aw-laze) 1 time. Exultant, to JUMP for joy; that rejoiceth. [5938]
Site: Isa 5:14.

Alliyz (al-leez) 4 time. From 5937, Exultant, joyous, to JUMP for joy
rejoice, rejoicing. [5947] Sites: Isa 13:3, 24:8, Zeph 2:15, 3:11.

Aliytsuwth (al-ee-tsooth) 1 time. From 5970, to JUMP for joy, exultation,
rejoicing. [5951] Site: Hab 3:14.

Aloc (aw-las) 1 time To LEAP for joy, i.e. exult, wave joyously,
rejoice. [5965] Site: Job 20:18.

Alats (aw-lats) 6 times. To JUMP for joy, i.e. exult, be joyful, rejoice.
[5970] Sites: 1 Sam 2:1, 1 Chr 16:32, Ps 9:2, 68:3, Prov 11:10,
28:12.

Tsahal (tsaw-hal) 1 time. To gleam, i.e. be cheerful, to sound clear, cry
aload, LIFT UP, rejoice, make to shine, shout. [6670] Site: Est
8:15.

Rinnah (rin-naw) 3 times. From 7442, a shout for joy, rejoicing,
shouting, SINGING, triumph. [7440] Sites: Ps 107:22, 118:15, 126:6.

Ranan (raw-nan) 11 times. To cry out or shout for joy, joyful, rejoice,
TO SING aload. [7442] Sites: Deut 32:43, Ps 20:5, 33:1, 63:7, 65:8,
71:23, 89:12, 90:14, 96:12, 98:4, Isa 61:7.

Suws (soos) or Siys (sece) 20 times. To be bright, i.e. cheerful, to be
glad, joy, to make mirth, rejoice. [7797] Sites: Deut 28:63, 63,
30:9, 9, Job 39:21, Ps 19:5, 35:9, 40:16, 68:3, 70:4, 119:14, 162,
Isa 61:10, 62:5, 64:5, 66:10, 14, Jer 32:41, Lam 4:21, Zeph 3:17.

Sachaq (saw-khak) 3 times. To laugh, TO PLAY, MAKE MERRY, rejoice. [7832]
Sites: Prov 8:30, 31, 31:25.

Samach (Saw-makh) 95 times. To brighten up, cheer up, to MAKE MERRY,
CAUSE TO OR MAKE TO rejoice. [8055] Sites: Lev 23:40, Deut 12:7,
12:12, 12:18, 14:26, 16:11, 14, 15, 27:7, 33:18, Judg 9:19, 19, 19:3
1 Sam 2:1, 6:13, 11:15, 19:5, 1 Kings 5:7, 2 King 11:20, 2 Sam 1:19,
1 Chr 16:10, 29:9, 9, 2 Chr 6:41, 15:15, 20:27, 23:21, 24:10, 29:36,
30:25, Neh 12:43, 43, 43, Job 3:22, 21:12, 31:25, 29, Ps 5:11, 19:8,
30:1, 31:7, 33:21, 35:15, 19, 24, 26, 48:11, 58:10, 63:11, 66:6,
85:6, 86:4, 89:42, 97:12, 104:31, 105:3, 106:5, 107:42, 109:28,
149:2, Prov 5:18, 13:9, 15:30, 23:15, 24:17, 27:9, 29:2, 3, 6, Eccl
2:10, 3:12, 22, 4:16, 5:19, 11:8, 9, SS 1:4, Isa 14:8, 29, 25:9,
65:13, 66:10, Lam 2:17, Ezek 7:12, 25:6, 35:14, Hos 9:1, Joel 2:21,
23, Amos 6:13, Obad 12, Hab 1:15, Zech 2:10, 4:10, 10:7.

Sameach (Saw-may-akh) 9 time. To be glad, gleeful, blithe, joyful, MAKING
MERRY, rejoice, rejoicing. [8056] Sites: Deut 26:11, Ps 38:16,
96:11, Prov 2:14, Micah 7:8, 1 Kings 1:40, 45, 2 Kings 11:14, 2 Chr
23:13.

Simehah (sim-khaw) 7 times. From 8056, blithesomeness or glee, (religious
or festival), pleasure, rejoice, rejoicing. [8057] Sites: Judg
16:23, 2 Chr 23:18, Jer 15:16, 31:13, 13, Ezek 35:15, Neh 12:44.

Sasown (saw-sone) or Sason (saw-sone) 1 time. From 7977, cheerfulness,
welcome, gladness, mirth, rejoicing. [8342] Site: Ps 119:111.

Teruwmiyah (ter-oo-mee-yaw) 1 time. From 8641, a sacrificial offering,
oblation, offer up, sacrifice, GIFT, OFFERING. [8642] Site: Job
8:21.

In 16 out of 21 words (3/4ths) were translated as 'REJOICE' having as
part of it meaning and definition, common Dance moves or steps, and or acts of
worship, like Singing or Praising. Actually, of these 16 words they represents
over 4/5ths of the translations, being 176 out of the 209 times 'Rejoice' (it
and all of its various tenses) were translated in the Old Testament, as active
acts of outward signs of ones faith (MOVEMENTS, DEEDS or WORKS). This is why
the Principle of REJOICING and PRAISING the Lord through DANCE has been the
custom of Israel for thousands of years, throughout all her generations, in
every place Israel has dwelt.

There are other Hebrew words that have clear reference to Worship
Dancing, such as the words that were translated into 'Dance' in the Old
Testament:

Chagag (khaw-gag) 1 time. To move in a Circle, to march in a sacred
procession, to observe a festival, to celebrate, Dance, reel to and
fro. [2287] Site: 1 Sam 30:16.

Chuwl (khool) or Chiyl (kheel) 2 times. To TWIST or WHIRL (in a circular
or spiral manner), specifically to DANCE. [2342] Sites: Judg 21:21,
21:23.

Karar (Kaw-rar) 2 times. Prime root to DANCE, i.e. to WHIRL, to ROTATED,
DANCING. [3769] Sites: 2 Sam 6:14, 16.

Machowl (maw-khole) 5 times. A ROUND DANCE, to DANCE, DANCING. The prime
root is Chuwl (khool) or Chiyl (kheel). [4234] Sites: Ps 30:11,
149:3, 150:4, Jer 31:13, Lam 5:15.

Mechlowlah (mekh-o-law) 8 times. Female form of 4234, a ROUND DANCE,
DANCING. [4246] Sites: Exo 15:20, 32:19, Judg 11:34, 21:21, 1 Sam
18:6, 21:11, 29:5, Jer 41:4.

Raqad (raw-kad) 4 times. To STOMP, to SPRING about for joy, to DANCE,
JUMP, LEAP or SKIP. [7540] Sites: 1 Chr 15:29, Job 21:11, Eccl 3:4,
Isa 13:21.

In looking over the specific Dance steps found in the Old Testament, we
can easily see that the type of dancing we are to dance is CIRCLE DANCES. This
type of Dancing is historically found all over the world among Israel.

There is still even other words that are translated as actions that are
Dance steps, from other words such as Leap, Spring, Jump, Stomp, Whirl, Spin
and Circle, that anyone would simple recognize as movements or dance steps.
Here is a few examples:

Dalag (Daw-lag) Prime root to SPRING or to LEAP. [1801]

Chuwg (khoog) A Circle. [2329]

Tavah (taw-vaw) Prime root to SPIN. [2901]

Pazaz (paw-zaz) To refine, solidify also to SPRING, LEAP, to be made
strong. [6339]

Panah (paw-naw) Prime root to TURN, implied to face. [6437]

May the Ha Qadowsh Kowl inspire you to begin REJOICING and Praising El
Elyown. Amon, Amon, Shaloam.


* * *

Copyrighted by Kingdom of ZION (KoZ) Ver 8/11, 2005

[dewajack]

That was very interesting, thank you.

[sbsion]

the LORD provides "rules and laws" for all degrees of Kingdoms, ..........for their happiness, according to their intelligence, "...the above another".....so, Moses "destroyed" some rules and brought OTHERS

[Kingdom of ZION]

If anyone is interested in learning how to do Messianic Dancing:

http://www.messianic-dance-camps.info/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Ralph and Mindy Seta are very nice sincere people.

Shalom

[ldsfireguy]

Kingdom,

Sorry about my negative posts in the "Eternal Lives" thread ... I thought you were someone else, from a fundamentalist background. I am quite interested in your ideas.

Scott

[Kingdom of ZION]

Kingdom,

Sorry about my negative posts in the "Eternal Lives" thread ... I thought you were someone else, from a fundamentalist background. I am quite interested in your ideas.

Scott

I do not take offense when no offense was intended. And even when it is intended I still am long suffering and not easily angered. I pray for those whom I am sent to bear the witnesses I am given to impart and I know that I am not here to save the world or all mankind as some people and churches suppose that we all should be doing.

Shalom

[JohnnyL]

I saw a little girl dancing during the sacrament one time, it was really nice. She was expressing her feelings for God.

[Kingdom of ZION]

I saw a little girl dancing during the sacrament one time, it was really nice. She was expressing her feelings for God.

That is the key to Davidic Dancing... It is an offering to the Lord with all your heart and soul. It is not about being the focus of worship, moreover It is an outpouring of ones emotion, that overcomes your feelings of all being reserved and solemn. It is to rejoice unto the Lord with all your heart.

Shalom