Matthew 14:6
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
American King James Version (AKJV)
But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
American Standard Version (ASV)
But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias was dancing before them, and Herod was pleased with her.
Webster's Revision
But when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
World English Bible
But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod.
English Revised Version (ERV)
But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and pleased Herod.
Clarke's Matthew 14:6 Bible Commentary
Herod's birth-day - Either the day in which he was born, or the day on which he began to reign; for both were termed birth-days. See 1 Samuel 13:1, and Hosea 7:5. The kings of Persia were accustomed to reject no petition that was preferred to them during the entertainment. See Herodotus in Calliope, and Esther 5:3.
The daughter - danced - This was Salome, mentioned before. Danced: by a literal rendering of the saltavit of the Vulgate, in my old MS. of the English Bible, the whole of this business seems to be treated with sovereign contempt: for thus says the translator, Shee leped in the myddle.
Barnes's Matthew 14:6 Bible Commentary
See also Mark 6:21-29. But when Herod's birthday was come Kings were accustomed to observe the day of their birth with much pomp, and commonly, also, by giving a feast to their principal nobility. See Genesis 40:20. Mark adds that this birthday was kept by making a supper to his "lords, high captains, and chief estates in Galilee;" that is to the chief men in office. "High captains" means, in the original, commanders of thousands, or of a division of 1,000 people.
The daughter of Herodias - That is, "Salome," her daughter by her former husband. This was a violation of all the rules of modesty and propriety. One great principle of all eastern nations is to keep their females from public view. For this purpose they are confined in a particular part of the house, called the harem. See the notes at Matthew 9:1-8. If they appear in public, it is always with a veil, so closely drawn that their faces cannot be seen. No modest woman would have appeared in this manner before the court, and it is probable, therefore, that she partook of the dissolute principles of her mother. It is also probable that the dance was one well known in Greece - the lascivious and wanton dance of the Ionics.
Wesley's Matthew 14:6 Bible Commentary
14:6 The daughter of Herodias - Afterward infamous for a life suitable to this beginning.