Word of the Day - 8/5/2008

Ecdysiast

An ecdysiast is a stripper.

In his 2006 book, What the Bible Really Says About Sex, Tom Gruber cites two Biblical ecdysiasts performing in a public setting (p. 33-35). Surprisingly, both are presented in a positive light! Gruber titles these stories "King David takes it off for the slave girls!"(II Samuel 6) and "The Shulamite Girl puts on a burlesque show for an eager crowd" (Song of Slomon 6:13-7:9)

Though David's dance was an act of praise, his wife,Michal, did not respond favorably.

But when David returned to bless his household, Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, "How the king of Israel distinguished himself today! He uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants' maids as one of the foolish ones shamelessly uncovers himself!" (II Samuel 6:20, NASB)

Note: This image of "David Dancing Before the Ark" was created by James Tissot (1836-1902).