Matthew 14:6
New International Version
On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much

New Living Translation
But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him,

English Standard Version
But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod,

Berean Standard Bible
On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod

Berean Literal Bible
But on the birthday of Herod having been celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod,

King James Bible
But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

New King James Version
But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.

New American Standard Bible
But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod,

NASB 1995
But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod,

NASB 1977
But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.

Legacy Standard Bible
But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod,

Amplified Bible
But when Herod’s birthday came, [his niece Salome], the daughter of Herodias danced [immodestly] before them and pleased and fascinated Herod,

Christian Standard Bible
When Herod’s birthday celebration came, Herodias’s daughter danced before them and pleased Herod.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
But when Herod’s birthday celebration came, Herodias’s daughter danced before them and pleased Herod.

American Standard Version
But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod.

Contemporary English Version
When Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests. She pleased Herod

English Revised Version
But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Herod celebrated his birthday, Herodias' daughter danced for his guests. Herod was so delighted with her that

Good News Translation
On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced in front of the whole group. Herod was so pleased

International Standard Version
But when Herod's birthday celebration was held, the daughter of Herodias danced before the guests. She pleased Herod

Majority Standard Bible
On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod

NET Bible
But on Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod,

New Heart English Bible
But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod.

Webster's Bible Translation
But when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

Weymouth New Testament
But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before all the company, and so pleased Herod

World English Bible
But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
But the birthday of Herod being kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod,

Berean Literal Bible
But on the birthday of Herod having been celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod,

Young's Literal Translation
But the birthday of Herod being kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and did please Herod,

Smith's Literal Translation
The festivities of Herod's birthday being celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But on Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before them: and pleased Herod.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then, on Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced in their midst, and it pleased Herod.

New American Bible
But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod

New Revised Standard Version
But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
When Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the guests, and it pleased Herod.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
But when Herodus' birthday came, the daughter of Herodia danced before the dinner guests and she pleased Herodus.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod.

Godbey New Testament
Herod's birthday being celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod;

Haweis New Testament
But when Herod’s birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in the circle, and pleased Herod:

Mace New Testament
but when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in publick, and made such an impression upon Herod,

Weymouth New Testament
But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before all the company, and so pleased Herod

Worrell New Testament
But, on a birthday celebration of Herod, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod.

Worsley New Testament
But when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod, so

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Beheading of John
5Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet. 6On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod 7so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked.…

Cross References
Mark 6:21
On Herod’s birthday, her opportunity arose. Herod held a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee.

Esther 1:3-4
In the third year of his reign, Xerxes held a feast for all his officials and servants. The military leaders of Persia and Media were there, along with the nobles and princes of the provinces. / And for a full 180 days he displayed the glorious riches of his kingdom and the magnificent splendor of his greatness.

Esther 1:10-12
On the seventh day, when the king’s heart was merry with wine, he ordered the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carkas— / to bring Queen Vashti before him, wearing her royal crown, to display her beauty to the people and officials. For she was beautiful to behold. / Queen Vashti, however, refused to come at the king’s command brought by his eunuchs. And the king became furious, and his anger burned within him.

Daniel 5:1-4
Later, King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he drank wine with them. / Under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar gave orders to bring in the gold and silver vessels that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple in Jerusalem, so that the king could drink from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. / Thus they brought in the gold vessels that had been taken from the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king drank from them, along with his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. ...

1 Kings 3:16-28
At that time two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. / One woman said, “Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth while she was in the house. / On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also had a baby. We were alone, with no one in the house but the two of us. ...

Judges 11:30-31
Jephthah made this vow to the LORD: “If indeed You will deliver the Ammonites into my hand, / then whatever comes out the door of my house to greet me on my triumphant return from the Ammonites will belong to the LORD, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

1 Samuel 18:6-7
As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. / And as the women danced, they sang out: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.”

1 Kings 19:1-2
Now Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. / So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I have not made your life like the lives of those you killed!”

2 Samuel 6:14-16
And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD, / while he and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sounding of the ram’s horn. / As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Saul’s daughter Michal looked down from a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, and she despised him in her heart.

1 Kings 16:30-33
However, Ahab son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him. / And as if it were not enough for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, he even married Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and he then proceeded to serve and worship Baal. / First, Ahab set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal that he had built in Samaria. ...

2 Kings 9:30-37
Now when Jehu arrived in Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it. So she painted her eyes, adorned her head, and looked down from a window. / And as Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, O Zimri, murderer of your master?” / He looked up at the window and called out, “Who is on my side? Who?” And two or three eunuchs looked down at him. ...

Esther 2:18
Then the king held a great banquet, Esther’s banquet, for all his officials and servants. He proclaimed a tax holiday in the provinces and gave gifts worthy of the king’s bounty.

Genesis 40:20-22
On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he held a feast for all his officials, and in their presence he lifted up the heads of the chief cupbearer and the chief baker. / Pharaoh restored the chief cupbearer to his position, so that he once again placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. / But Pharaoh hanged the chief baker, just as Joseph had described to them in his interpretation.

1 Samuel 25:36-38
When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light. / In the morning when Nabal was sober, his wife told him about these events, and his heart failed within him, and he became like a stone. / About ten days later, the LORD struck Nabal dead.

2 Samuel 13:23-29
Two years later, when Absalom’s sheepshearers were at Baal-hazor near Ephraim, he invited all the sons of the king. / And he went to the king and said, “Your servant has just hired shearers. Will the king and his servants please come with me?” / “No, my son,” the king replied, “we should not all go, or we would be a burden to you.” Although Absalom urged him, he was not willing to go, but gave him his blessing. ...


Treasury of Scripture

But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

birth-day.

Genesis 40:20
And it came to pass the third day, which was Pharaoh's birthday, that he made a feast unto all his servants: and he lifted up the head of the chief butler and of the chief baker among his servants.

Esther 1:2-9
That in those days, when the king Ahasuerus sat on the throne of his kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace, …

Esther 2:18
Then the king made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the king.

the daughter.

Matthew 22:24
Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother.

danced.

Esther 1:10-12
On the seventh day, when the heart of the king was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the king, …

before them.

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Birthday Birth-Day Celebrated Company Danced Dancing Daughter Herod Herodias Hero'di-As Herod's Kept Midst Please Pleased
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Birthday Birth-Day Celebrated Company Danced Dancing Daughter Herod Herodias Hero'di-As Herod's Kept Midst Please Pleased
Matthew 14
1. Herod's opinion of Jesus.
3. Wherefore John Baptist was beheaded.
13. Jesus departs into a solitary place,
15. where he feeds five thousand men with five loves and two fishes.
22. He walks on the sea to his disciples;
34. and landing at Gennesaret,
35. heals the sick who touch of the hem of his garment.














On Herod’s birthday
The celebration of birthdays in the ancient world, particularly among the ruling class, was often marked by lavish feasts and entertainment. Herod Antipas, the tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, was known for his opulent lifestyle. The mention of his birthday sets the stage for a significant event, highlighting the cultural practices of the time. In the Greek, "γενέσια" (genesia) refers to a birthday celebration, indicating a formal and possibly extravagant occasion. This context underscores the worldly and indulgent atmosphere in which the subsequent events unfold.

the daughter of Herodias
This phrase refers to Salome, although she is not named in this passage. Herodias was Herod's wife, and her daughter played a pivotal role in the narrative. The familial relationships here are complex, as Herodias was previously married to Herod's brother, Philip. This background is crucial for understanding the tensions and motivations within the Herodian family. The historical context reveals a web of political and personal intrigue, which is a recurring theme in the Herodian dynasty.

danced before them
The act of dancing in this context was likely a performance intended to entertain and captivate the guests. In the ancient Near East, dance was often associated with celebration and could carry significant cultural and social implications. The Greek word "ὠρχήσατο" (orchēsato) suggests a dance that was both skillful and provocative. This performance was not merely a display of talent but also a strategic act that would have significant consequences, reflecting the manipulative dynamics at play.

and pleased Herod
Herod's reaction to the dance is crucial to the unfolding of the narrative. The Greek word "ἤρεσεν" (ēresen) indicates that Herod was not only entertained but also deeply gratified by the performance. This pleasure reveals Herod's susceptibility to sensual and impulsive desires, which ultimately leads to his rash promise. The historical and scriptural context highlights the moral and ethical challenges faced by leaders who prioritize personal gratification over righteousness and justice.

(6) Herod's birthday.--Some critics have looked on the feast as one commemorating Herod's accession--his birth-day as a ruler; but there seems no reason for not accepting the word in its simple natural sense. Such feasts were common enough in the imperial life at Rome, and that of Herod's birthday had become proverbial even there (Persius, Sat. v., i. 180).

The daughter of Herodias danced before them.--Dances in filmy garments that but half concealed the form, commonly of an impure or voluptuous nature, were common enough both at Eastern and Roman banquets, the guests being simply spectators. But the dancers were for the most part women who made it their calling, like the nautch-girls of India; and it was a new thing, at which every decent Jew would shudder, for the daughter of a kingly house to come-thus into a shameless publicity and expose herself to the gaze of the banqueters, including as they did the chief captains and chiliarchs of the Roman legions, as well as Herod's own courtiers and the chief men of the province (Mark 6:21). But Herodias, it would seem, knew the tetrarch's weak point as well as Madame du Barry knew that of Louis XV. of France, and sought to bend him to her will, even though it were by the sacrifice of her daughter's modesty. She danced before them--literally, in the midst of them--as they reclined on their couches indolently gazing. Her name is given by Josephus (Ant. xviii. 5, ? 4) as Salome.

Verse 6. - But when Herod's birthday was kept; came (Revised Version); γενεσίοις δὲ γενομένοις τοῦ Ἡρῴδου, dative of time (Winer, § 31:9), with the addition of a participle. Birthday. So "Pharaoh's birthday" (Genesis 40:20, ἡμέρα γενέσεως). Thayer's Grimm refers to "Alciphr. Epp. 3, 18, and 55; Dio Cass., 47, 18, etc.," for γενέσια being used in the same sense. The Talmudic גיניסיא (see Levy, s.v.) apparently represents the same word, and (preceded by יום) has the same meaning (cf. Schurer, I. 2:27). Possibly Jews found γενέσια an easier word to pronounce than the more classical γενέσλια. The daughter of Herodias; i.e. Salome, daughter of Herod Philip and Herodias; she afterwards married her half uncle, Philip the tetrarch (ver. 3, note). She could not now be less than seventeen or eighteen years old (cf. Gutschmid, in Schurer, I. 2:28), so, in the East, could only just be still called a κοράσιον (ver. 11). Mark's text (like the Greek of Codex Bezae here) speaks of her as though she herself was called Herodias, and was the daughter of Antipas and Herodias; but the issue of this union could not then have been more than two years old (Schurer, loc. cit.). Besides, the trait mentioned by Mark (Mark 6:25), that she came back with haste to the king, asking for the head of the Baptist, implies that she was more than a child. Rendel Harris ('Texts and Studies,' II. 1. p. 68) suggests that the confusion is due to an early Latinization of the Greek from an ambiguous ejus. Danced. Probably with the same kind of voluptuous dance as that of the Egyptian almd described by Warburton ('Crescent and Cross,' chap. 14.). But that a member of the royal family should so dance before a company must have been almost unheard cf. Before them; in the midst (Revised Version). Matthew only. Such a dance with men sitting round would be specially abhorrent to the Jewish mind. And pleased Herod. And of course, as St. Mark adds, "them that sat with him" (cf. ver. 9).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
On
τοῦ (tou)
Article - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

Herod’s
Ἡρῴδου (Hērōdou)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 2264: Compound of heros and eidos; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings.

birthday,
Γενεσίοις (Genesiois)
Noun - Dative Neuter Plural
Strong's 1077: A birthday celebration. Neuter plural of a derivative of genesis; birthday ceremonies.

however,
δὲ (de)
Conjunction
Strong's 1161: A primary particle; but, and, etc.

the
(hē)
Article - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

daughter
θυγάτηρ (thygatēr)
Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular
Strong's 2364: Apparently a primary word; a female child, or descendant.

of Herodias
Ἡρῳδιάδος (Hērōdiados)
Noun - Genitive Feminine Singular
Strong's 2266: From Herodes; Herodias, a woman of the Heodian family.

danced
ὠρχήσατο (ōrchēsato)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3738: To dance. Middle voice from orchos; to dance.

before them,
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

and
καὶ (kai)
Conjunction
Strong's 2532: And, even, also, namely.

pleased
ἤρεσεν (ēresen)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 700: To please, with the idea of willing service rendered to others; hence almost: I serve. Probably from airo; to be agreeable.

Herod
Ἡρῴδῃ (Hērōdē)
Noun - Dative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2264: Compound of heros and eidos; heroic; Herod, the name of four Jewish kings.


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NT Gospels: Matthew 14:6 But when Herod's birthday came the daughter (Matt. Mat Mt)
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