Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical contexts, the term "chorus" is not explicitly mentioned in the Scriptures; however, the concept of a group singing or making music together is prevalent throughout the Bible. The idea of a chorus can be understood through various passages that describe collective worship, singing, and musical expressions of praise to God.
Old Testament ContextThe Old Testament frequently highlights the role of music and singing in worship and celebration. The Levites, for example, were appointed to sing and play instruments in the temple. In
1 Chronicles 15:16, David commands the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments. This organized group of singers can be likened to a chorus, as they were tasked with leading the people in worship through music.
The Psalms, a central book of worship in the Old Testament, often describe communal singing.
Psalm 95:1-2 invites the congregation: "Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout to the Rock of our salvation! Let us enter His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him in song." This call to collective singing reflects the essence of a chorus, where the community joins together in unified praise.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the early church continued the tradition of communal singing.
Ephesians 5:19 instructs believers to "speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord." Similarly,
Colossians 3:16 encourages the faithful to "let the word of Christ richly dwell within you as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God." These passages emphasize the importance of singing together as a form of teaching, encouragement, and worship.
Cultural and Historical InsightsIn ancient Israel, music was an integral part of religious and social life. The use of choirs or choruses in temple worship was a well-established practice. The Levites, as mentioned earlier, were specifically set apart for this purpose. Their role was not only to perform music but also to lead the people in worship, creating an atmosphere of reverence and joy.
The tradition of choral singing continued into the early Christian church, where believers gathered in homes and other meeting places to worship together. Singing was a means of expressing faith, teaching doctrine, and fostering unity among believers.
Theological SignificanceTheologically, the concept of a chorus in the Bible underscores the communal aspect of worship. It reflects the idea that worship is not merely an individual act but a corporate experience that brings believers together in unity and harmony. Singing in a chorus allows the congregation to participate actively in worship, lifting their voices as one to glorify God.
Moreover, the use of music and singing in worship is a reflection of the heavenly worship described in Revelation, where angels and saints join in a chorus of praise to God.
Revelation 5:11-12 depicts this celestial chorus: "Then I looked, and I heard the voices of many angels and living creatures and elders encircling the throne, and their number was myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands. In a loud voice they said: 'Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing!'"
In summary, while the specific term "chorus" may not appear in the Bible, the concept is deeply embedded in the scriptural tradition of communal worship through music and singing. This practice serves as a powerful expression of faith and unity among God's people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A band of singers and dancers.
2. (n.) A company of persons supposed to behold what passed in the acts of a tragedy, and to sing the sentiments which the events suggested in couplets or verses between the acts; also, that which was thus sung by the chorus.
3. (n.) An interpreter in a dumb show or play.
4. (n.) A company of singers singing in concert.
5. (n.) A composition of two or more parts, each of which is intended to be sung by a number of voices.
6. (n.) Parts of a song or hymn recurring at intervals, as at the end of stanzas; also, a company of singers who join with the singer or choir in singer or choir in singing such parts.
7. (n.) The simultaneous of a company in any noisy demonstration; as, a Chorus of shouts and catcalls.
8. (v. i.) To sing in chorus; to exclaim simultaneously.
Greek
5524. choregeo -- to lead achorus (ie a group of performers), to...... to lead a
chorus (ie a group of performers), to defray the cost of a
chorus. Part
of Speech: Verb Transliteration: choregeo Phonetic Spelling: (khor-ayg-eh'-o
...5525. choros -- a dance,chorus
... a dance,chorus. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: choros Phonetic
Spelling: (khor-os') Short Definition: a dance, dancing Definition: a dance...
Library
A Great World-Chorus.
... The Coming Victory A Great World-chorus. I recall vividly a scene in Albert
Hall in London nearly fifteen years ago. A remarkable...
TheChorus of Angels
... Sermon XLIX. TheChorus of Angels. TheChorus of Angels Revelation 5:12.
Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to receive power, and...
The UniversalChorus
... Sermon L. The UniversalChorus. The UniversalChorus Revelation 5:13.... The angels
join in thechorus, verses 11, 12 which now becomes universal....
Praise and Thanksgiving theChorus of God's Thankful Children.
... Praise and Thanksgiving TheChorus of God's Thankful Children. I. TheChorus of
God's Thankful Children. 6,7,6,7,6,6,6,6. Nun danket alle Gott....
Zerah. CM TheChorus of Angels.
... 97 Zerah. CM TheChorus of Angels. TheChorus of Angels. (210) Calm on
the listening ear of night Come heaven's melodious strains...
Litany of the Blessed virgin
... Litany of the Blessed Virgin Litaniae Lauretanae Unison or two partchorus Nicola
A.Montani.... 1. Chanters: Pater de coelis Deus,Chorus: miserere nobis....
Thekla Singing Decorously a Hymn, the Rest of the virgins Sing...
... in the midst of the virgins on the right of Arete, decorously sang; but the rest,
standing together in a circle after the manner of achorus, responded to her...
The Oratorio of victory.
... In chapter five the AngelChorus swings in.[17] They are grouped round about the
quartette, and the twenty-four elders. John begins to count them....
Psalm CXLIX.
... 4. "Let them praise His Name inchorus" (ver.3). What meaneth "chorus"? Many know
what a "chorus" is: nay, as we are speaking in a town, almost all know....
Jesus Christ is Risen Today
... (Solo) Alleluia! (Chorus) Sinners, wipe your tears away! (Solo) Alleluia!
(Chorus) He Whose death upon the Cross (Solo) Alleluia!...
Thesaurus
Chorus (4 Occurrences)... acts of a tragedy, and to sing the sentiments which the events suggested in couplets
or verses between the acts; also, that which was thus sung by the
chorus.
...Music (143 Occurrences)
... There we are told that the whole body of the templechorus and orchestra numbered
4,000; that they were trained and conducted, in 24 divisions, by the sons of...
Nadib (2 Occurrences)
... (Root in KJV WBS YLT). Song of Songs 7:1 As thechorus of 'Mahanaim.' How
beautiful were thy feet with sandals, O daughter of Nadib....
Latin (2 Occurrences)
... taberna (taberna), titlos (titulus), phelones (paenula), phoron (forum), phragellion
(flagellum), phragelloo (flagello), chartes (charta?), choros (chorus)....
Gladdened (4 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 31:13 Then rejoice doth a virgin in achorus, Both young men and old men --
together, And I have turned their mourning to joy, And have comforted them...
Turnings (2 Occurrences)
... Truly I say to you, They have their reward. (BBE). Song of Songs 7:1 As thechorus
of 'Mahanaim.' How beautiful were thy feet with sandals, O daughter of Nadib....
Rendering (10 Occurrences)
... rendered in this sacred gift not only helps to relieve the wants of God's people,
but it is also rich in its results and awakens achorus of thanksgiving to God...
Rendered (30 Occurrences)
... rendered in this sacred gift not only helps to relieve the wants of God's people,
but it is also rich in its results and awakens achorus of thanksgiving to God...
Results (16 Occurrences)
... rendered in this sacred gift not only helps to relieve the wants of God's people,
but it is also rich in its results and awakens achorus of thanksgiving to God...
Relieve (14 Occurrences)
... rendered in this sacred gift not only helps to relieve the wants of God's people,
but it is also rich in its results and awakens achorus of thanksgiving to God...
Resources
What is the meaning of the word 'hallelujah'? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is Beulah Land? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are hymns? What is the value of hymns in worship? | GotQuestions.orgChorus: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
