Topical Encyclopedia
In biblical literature, the act of clapping is often associated with expressions of joy, approval, and celebration, as well as derision and scorn. The cultural and historical context of clapping in the Bible provides insight into its varied symbolic meanings.
Expressions of Joy and PraiseClapping is frequently mentioned in the context of worship and celebration. In
Psalm 47:1, the psalmist calls the nations to express their joy and reverence for God: "Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout unto God with a voice of triumph." Here, clapping is an outward expression of inner joy and triumph, a physical manifestation of praise directed towards God. This verse highlights the communal aspect of worship, where the collective clapping of hands serves as a unified act of adoration and acknowledgment of God's sovereignty.
Nature's ApplauseThe imagery of clapping is also used metaphorically to describe the natural world joining in praise of the Creator.
Isaiah 55:12 states, "You will indeed go out with joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands." This poetic language suggests that creation itself participates in the celebration of God's redemptive work, symbolizing harmony and the fulfillment of God's promises.
Expressions of Derision and ScornConversely, clapping can also signify derision or scorn. In the book of Lamentations, the prophet Jeremiah describes the reaction of Israel's enemies to her downfall: "All who pass by clap their hands at you; they scoff and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem" (
Lamentations 2:15). Here, clapping is an expression of mockery and triumph over the misfortune of others, highlighting the shame and humiliation experienced by Jerusalem.
Cultural and Historical ContextIn ancient Near Eastern cultures, clapping was a common gesture used in various social and religious contexts. It could signify approval, as in the coronation of a king, or disapproval, as in the public shaming of an enemy. The dual nature of clapping in the Bible reflects these broader cultural practices, where the same gesture could convey vastly different emotions depending on the context.
Theological ImplicationsThe use of clapping in the Bible underscores the importance of physical expressions in worship and communal life. It serves as a reminder that worship involves the whole person—body, mind, and spirit—and that physical gestures can be powerful expressions of spiritual truths. Whether in joy or in scorn, clapping in the biblical narrative invites reflection on the intentions of the heart and the communal nature of human expression before God.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To strike; to slap; to strike, or strike together, with a quick motion, so, as to make a sharp noise; as, to clap one's hands; a clapping of wings.
2. (v. t.) To thrust, drive, put, or close, in a hasty or abrupt manner; -- often followed by to, into, on, or upon.
3. (v. t.) To manifest approbation of, by striking the hands together; to applaud; as, to clap a performance.
4. (v. t.) To express contempt or derision.
5. (v. i.) To knock, as at a door.
6. (v. i.) To strike the hands together in applause.
7. (v. i.) To come together suddenly with noise.
8. (v. i.) To enter with alacrity and briskness; -- with to or into.
9. (v. i.) To talk noisily; to chatter loudly.
10. (n.) A loud noise made by sudden collision; a bang.
11. (n.) A burst of sound; a sudden explosion.
12. (n.) A single, sudden act or motion; a stroke; a blow.
13. (n.) A striking of hands to express approbation.
14. (n.) Noisy talk; chatter.
15. (n.) The nether part of the beak of a hawk.
16. (n.) Gonorrhea.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
CLAPAn emphatic expression of joy, "They clapped their hands (nakhah), and said, Long live (the King James Version "God save") the king" (2 Kings 11:12); "Oh clap your hands (taqa`), all ye peoples" (Psalm 47:1); or exultation (caphaq,Lamentations 2:15; macha',Ezekiel 25:6; taqa`,Nahum 3:19); or repudiation (caphaq,Job 27:23;Job 34:37).
Figurative: To denote Nature's "sympathy" with God's people. "Let the floods clap (macha') their hands" (Psalm 98:8); "All the trees of the field shall clap their hands" (Isaiah 55:12; compareJudges 5:20).
Strong's Hebrew
5606. saphaq -- to slap,clap... 5605, 5606. saphaq or saphaq. 5607 . to slap,
clap. Transliteration: saphaq
or saphaq Phonetic Spelling: (saw-fak') Short Definition:
clap. Word Origin a prim
...4222. macha -- to strike,clap
... 4221, 4222. macha. 4223 . to strike,clap. Transliteration: macha Phonetic
Spelling: (maw-khaw') Short Definition:clap. Word Origin a prim....
8628. taqa -- to thrust,clap, give a blow, blast
... 8627, 8628. taqa. 8629 . to thrust,clap, give a blow, blast. Transliteration:
taqa Phonetic Spelling: (taw-kah') Short Definition: blow. Word Origin a prim...
5221. nakah -- to smite
... NASB Word Usage attack (5), attacked (6), attacks (3), beat (3), beat down (1),
beaten (5), beating (1), blows (1), bothered (1), cast (1),clap (3), clapped (1...
3619. kelub -- a basket, cage
... From the same as keleb; a bird-trap (as furnished with aclap-stick or treadle to
spring it); hence, a basket (as resembling a wicker cage) -- basket, cage....
3597. kelappoth -- an axe
... hammer. From an unused root meaning toclap or strike with noise; a club or
sledge-hammer -- hammer. 3596, 3597. kelappoth. 3598 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Clap Your Hands
... THE THIRD CENTURY 79 Oclap your hands. Oclap your hands, all ye people,
shout unto Cod with the voice of triumph. For the Lord...
Psalm XCVIII.
... "Let the floodsclap their hands together" (ver.8). Let the sea be... Whence shall the
floodsclap their hands? What is toclap their hands? To rejoice in works....
Psalm XLVII.
... 2. "Oclap your hands, all ye nations" (ver.1). Were the people of the Jews all
the nations?... "Oclap your hands." What is "Oclap"? Rejoice....
The Parable of the Wedding Feast
...Clap,clap your hands at the thought of the marriage of the King's Son, for whom
his bride hath made herself ready. Think, too, of his achievements....
Treats of Several Ways Whereby Our Lord Quickens the Soul; There...
... not recollected or even thinking of God, although no sound is heard, His Majesty
arouses it suddenly as if by a swiftly flashing comet or by aclap of thunder....
A Sermon Made by M. Hugh Latimer, at the Time of the Insurrection...
... be crafty to make us put our trust in such armour, he will feign himself to fly;
but then we be most in jeopardy: for he can give us an after-clap when we...
General Service for the Festivals of Our Lord Jesus Christ,
... Let us to-dayclap our hands and shout with our voices the praises of the Lord,
for, behold, He hath truly appeared, enlightening all the faithful with the...
His Future Work
... The Lord of hosts, He is the King of Glory" (Psalm 24:9-10). "All ye peoples
clap your hands, shout unto God with the voice of triumph!...
Continued.
... Then the tempest breaks. It crashes and leaps through the short sentences, each
like theclap of the near thunder. a. The voice of Jehovah (is) on the waters....
Prepositional Phrases
... chorus of approbation [approbation = warm approval; praise]. circle of hills. clamor
of envy.clap of thunder. clarity of thinking. clash of arms....
Thesaurus
Clap (11 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To strike; to slap; to strike, or strike together, with a quick motion,
so, as to make a sharp noise; as, to
clap one's hands; a clapping of wings.
...Derision (24 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Job 27:23 Men shallclap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his
place. (See NIV).... Lamentations 2:15 All that pass byclap their hands at you....
Hiss (13 Occurrences)
... Job 27:23 Men shallclap their hands at him, and shall hiss him out of his place....
Lamentations 2:15 All that pass byclap their hands at you....
Singing (65 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 47:1 To the Overseer. -- By sons of Korah. A Psalm. All ye peoples,
clap the hand, Shout to God with a voice of singing, (YLT)....
Unceasing (11 Occurrences)
... your injury is fatal. All who hear the report of youclap their hands over
you; for who hasn't felt your endless cruelty? (See RSV)....
Lightning (49 Occurrences)
... enlarged water particles) is insufficient to carry the charge, and a discharge takes
place, producing a brilliant flash of light and the resulting thunder-clap...
Wag (7 Occurrences)
... their tongues, and say, He says. (See NIV). Lamentations 2:15 All that pass
byclap their hands at you. They hiss and wag their head...
Incurable (13 Occurrences)
... your injury is fatal. All who hear the report of youclap their hands over
you; for who hasn't felt your endless cruelty? (See NAS)....
Floods (37 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV). Psalms 98:8 Let the floodsclap their hands:
let the hills be joyful together (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV)....
Fatal (5 Occurrences)
... your injury is fatal. All who hear the report of youclap their hands over
you; for who hasn't felt your endless cruelty? (WEB NIV)....
Resources
Should we raise our hands/clap our hands during worship? | GotQuestions.orgShould Christians participate in religious festivals of other religions? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does Revelation mean when it says, “There was no longer any sea”? | GotQuestions.orgClap: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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