Keraia
Theme note

Celebration

God welcomes happy expressions of joy and delight from those who worship and praise him (Isaiah 30:29; Jeremiah 30:19; 31:13; Zephaniah 3:17; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16).

King David tried two times to bring the ark of God (also called the ark of the LORD or the ark of the covenant) to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:1–11, 12–23). Both times involved celebration.

Four different Hebrew words describe how Israel and David rejoiced. Their joy included leaping, dancing, and playing music (see also 1 Chronicles 15:25–29). The four Hebrew words are:

  1. karar, which means "to dance" (2 Samuel 6:14, 16);

  2. pazaz, which means "to leap" (translated as "dancing" in the Berean Standard Bible in 2 Samuel 6:16);

  3. raqad, which also means "to leap" (again translated as "dancing" in the Berean Standard Bible in 1 Chronicles 15:29); and

  4. sakhaq, which means more generally "to rejoice", and which can suggest dancing, singing, and music (2 Samuel 6:5; 1 Chronicles 15:29).

Together, these words show that their celebration included joyful movement with their bodies.

Musical instruments were important in temple worship. In 1 Chronicles 25:1–31, David assigned groups to music ministry. Many psalms mention playing instruments to praise and worship God (see Psalms 33:2–3; 57:8; 81:2; 92:1–3; 98:4–6). In Psalms 149 and 150, dance and music are combined as a praise offering. In a similar way, music and dancing were present in the father's house in the parable of the lost son (Luke 15:25). This was because the son's return was a joyful event.

The book of Revelation describes an eternal celebration for the faithful. This celebration involves worship in God's presence (Revelation 4:1–11; 5:8–14; 15:1–4). It is like a wedding feast where the bridegroom (Jesus Christ) and the bride (his church) unite forever (Revelation 19:9; see also Matthew 22:1–14).

Passages for Further Study

Exodus 5:1; 12:17; 15:20–21; 1 Samuel 18:6; 2 Samuel 6:1–15; 2 Chronicles 7:6–10; Ezra 3:10–11; Psalms 30:11; 69:30; 98:4–6; 107:32; 149:1–9; 150:1–6; Isaiah 30:29; 54:1; Jeremiah 30:18–19; 31:4, 13; Lamentations 5:14–15; Zephaniah 3:17; Luke 15:22–25; 1 Corinthians 5:8; Ephesians 5:18–20; Colossians 3:16; Revelation 18:20

Passages

Exodus 5:1 Exodus 12:17 Exodus 15:20–21 1 Samuel 18:6 2 Samuel 6:1–11 2 Samuel 6:1–15 2 Samuel 6:5 2 Samuel 6:12–23 2 Samuel 6:14 2 Samuel 6:16 1 Chronicles 15:25–29 1 Chronicles 15:29 1 Chronicles 25:1–31 2 Chronicles 7:6–10 Ezra 3:10–11 Psalm 30:11 Psalm 33:2–3 Psalm 57:8 Psalm 69:30 Psalm 81:2 Psalm 92:1–3 Psalm 98:4–6 Psalm 107:32 Psalm 149:1–9 Psalm 150:1–6 Isaiah 30:29 Isaiah 54:1 Jeremiah 30:18–19 Jeremiah 30:19 Jeremiah 31:4 Jeremiah 31:13 Lamentations 5:14–15 Zephaniah 3:17 Matthew 22:1–14 Luke 15:22–25 Luke 15:25 1 Corinthians 5:8 Ephesians 5:18–20 Ephesians 5:19 Colossians 3:16 Revelation 4:1–11 Revelation 5:8–14 Revelation 15:1–4 Revelation 18:20 Revelation 19:9