"Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing." Exodus 15:20

In some places, the word "dancing" refers to the whirling motion of Oriental sacred dances. In others it means to skip or leap for joy.

Dancing is found throughout the Bible- it was a basic part of Jewish life. Eccl.3:4 says, "a time to mourn and a time to dance." Dancing was used to express joy and excitement in every kind of occasion.

At first, dancing was performed only on sacred occasions. It was practised as part of the religious ceremonies of the Egyptians as well as the Hebrews. It was also engaged in by many of the idolatrous nations, who often accompanied it with debauchery.

Among the Hebrews, however, it was accompanied with sacred song and was usually performed by the women only (this passage in Exodus is the first recorded song in the Bible). Thus the peculiarity of David's conduct in dancing before the ark of the Lord when it came home to Jerusalem (2 Sa.6:14). The women took part in it with their timbrels. Michal should have, in accordance with the example of Miriam and others, herself led the female choir instead of watching "from a window" in the distance (2 Sa.6:16). David led the dancing choir wearing only a linen tunic (ephod). He thought only of the honour of God, and forgot himself.

The ancient form of Hebrew dancing was similar to our folk dancing, or square dancing, today. However, men and women danced separate from each other, in groups of their own.

Dancing was usually performed outdoors in the daytime, and for many reasons and occasions.

When Jephthah returned from his conquest over the Ammonites, he was met by "his daughter, dancing to the sound of tambourines" (Judges 11:34).

When the men of Benjamin surprised the daughers of Shiloh, the latter were dancing at "the annual festival of the Lord" (Judges 21:19-21)

When David returned after killing Goliath,"the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lutes" (1 Sa.18:6).

In several places in the Scriptures, especially in the Psalms, God's people are exhorted to praise the Lord by dancing- ex. Ps. 149:3- "let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp," and Ps. 150:4- "praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute."