Topical Bible: Lutes

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Definition and Description:
The lute is a stringed musical instrument that is often associated with ancient and biblical times. It is similar in appearance and function to the modern-day guitar, featuring a body with a rounded back and a neck with frets. The lute is played by plucking or strumming the strings, which are typically made of gut or a similar material. In biblical contexts, the lute is often mentioned alongside other instruments such as the harp, lyre, and timbrel, indicating its role in musical worship and celebration.

Biblical References:
While the specific term "lute" is not directly mentioned in most English translations of the Bible, the instrument is often inferred from descriptions of stringed instruments used in worship and celebration. The Hebrew word "nebel" is sometimes translated as "lute" or "harp" in various translations, including the Berean Standard Bible.

In Psalm 92:3 , the psalmist speaks of praising God with musical instruments: "with the ten-stringed harp and the melody of the lyre." Although the term "lute" is not explicitly used here, the reference to stringed instruments highlights the cultural and religious significance of such instruments in biblical times.

Cultural and Religious Significance:
In ancient Israel, music played a vital role in both religious and social settings. Instruments like the lute were integral to worship, often accompanying psalms and hymns sung in the temple or during religious festivals. The use of the lute and other stringed instruments was seen as a way to honor God and express joy and gratitude.

The lute's presence in biblical worship underscores the importance of music as a form of expression and communication with the divine. It was not only a tool for personal enjoyment but also a means of communal worship, bringing people together in praise and celebration.

Historical Context:
The lute, as understood in biblical times, likely had variations in design and construction compared to modern lutes. Archaeological findings and historical records suggest that similar instruments were prevalent throughout the ancient Near East, including regions such as Mesopotamia and Egypt. These instruments were often crafted from wood and featured strings made from animal intestines or plant fibers.

The craftsmanship and artistry involved in making lutes were highly regarded, and skilled musicians were often sought after for their ability to play these instruments in royal courts and religious ceremonies.

Symbolism and Interpretation:
In a biblical context, the lute and other musical instruments symbolize joy, celebration, and the harmonious relationship between humanity and God. The act of playing music is seen as a form of worship, an offering of one's talents and skills to the Creator. The harmonious sounds produced by the lute can be interpreted as a reflection of the order and beauty of God's creation.

The use of the lute in worship also serves as a reminder of the importance of creativity and artistic expression in the life of faith. It encourages believers to use their gifts to glorify God and to foster a sense of community and shared purpose through music and song.

Library

The Christians do not Worship the Universe.
... not the instrument. For at the musical contests the adjudicators do not
pass by the lute-players and crown the lutes. Whether, then ...
/.../athenagoras/a plea for the christians/chapter xvi the christians do not.htm

Chapter i.
... Place together two lutes which are in unison, that is, of the same sound and accord,
and let one of them be played on:"the other though not touched will not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter i.htm

Explanation of the Preceding Chapter.
... and it seems to me that military glory is grander, and the other better; as, among
instruments, drums and trumpets make more noise, lutes and virginals more ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter vii explanation of the.htm

"The Glory of that Light"
... "And thus henceforward, whensoever he heard the singing of hymns and psalms, or
the sweet sound of harps and lutes, or when he heard men speaking of human love ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bevan/three friends of god/chapter l the glory of.htm

Watkinson -- the Transfigured Sackcloth
... Indeed, despite our dissimulations, we know that life is not a matter of lutes,
doves, and sunflowers, and at last we have little patience with those who thus ...
/.../the worlds great sermons volume 8/watkinson the transfigured sackcloth.htm

A Plea Regarding Christians by Athenagoras, the Athenian
... sings the accompanying melody. For the judges at contests do not disregard
the lute players and crown the lutes. If, as Plato says ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/a plea regarding christians by.htm

Inspiration of Scripture. --Gospel Difficulties. --The Word of God ...
... honeycomb. For herein, they were not like harps or lutes, but they felt,
they felt the power and strength of their own words. When ...
/.../inspiration and interpretation/sermon iii inspiration of scripture gospel.htm

Thesaurus

Lutes (16 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lutes (16 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 18:6 It happened
as they came, when David returned from the slaughter ...
/l/lutes.htm - 11k

Tambours (8 Occurrences)
... Samuel 6:5 And David and all the house of Israel played before Jehovah on all manner
of instruments made of cypress wood, with harps, and with lutes, and with ...
/t/tambours.htm - 9k

Lute (13 Occurrences)

/l/lute.htm - 11k

Employed (8 Occurrences)
... the captains of the host separated for the service those of the sons of Asaph and
of Heman and of Jeduthun who were to prophesy with harps and lutes and cymbals ...
/e/employed.htm - 9k

Balustrade (1 Occurrence)
... 1 Kings 10:12 And the king made of the sandal-wood a balustrade for the house of
Jehovah, and for the king's house, and harps and lutes for the singers. ...
/b/balustrade.htm - 7k

Cypress (17 Occurrences)
... Samuel 6:5 And David and all the house of Israel played before Jehovah on all manner
of instruments made of cypress wood, with harps, and with lutes, and with ...
/c/cypress.htm - 12k

Clad (13 Occurrences)
... 5:12 and the Levites the singers, all they of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with
their sons and their brethren, clad in byssus, with cymbals and lutes and harps ...
/c/clad.htm - 10k

Cithern
... the King James Version, kitharais kai kinurais is translated "citherns and harps";
the Revised Version (British and American) "harps and lutes"; compare guitar ...
/c/cithern.htm - 7k

Clarions (1 Occurrence)
... up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah with shouting, and with sound of the trumpet,
and with clarions, and with cymbals, playing aloud with lutes and harps. ...
/c/clarions.htm - 6k

Stairs (12 Occurrences)
... 2 Chronicles 9:11 And the king made of the sandal-wood stairs for the house of Jehovah,
and for the king's house, and harps and lutes for the singers. ...
/s/stairs.htm - 10k

Resources

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Concordance

Lutes (16 Occurrences)

1 Samuel 18:6
It happened as they came, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tambourines, with joy, and with instruments of music.
(See NIV)

2 Samuel 6:5
And David and all the house of Israel played before Jehovah on all manner of instruments made of cypress wood, with harps, and with lutes, and with tambours, and with sistra, and with cymbals.
(DBY)

1 Kings 10:12
And the king made of the sandal-wood a balustrade for the house of Jehovah, and for the king's house, and harps and lutes for the singers. There came no such sandal-wood, nor was there seen to this day.)
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 13:8
And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with lutes, and with tambours, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 15:16
And David spoke to the chief of the Levites to appoint their brethren, the singers, with instruments of music, lutes, and harps, and cymbals, that they should sound aloud, lifting up the voice with joy.
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 15:20
and Zechariah, and Aziel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Unni, and Eliab, and Maaseiah, and Benaiah, with lutes on Alamoth;
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 15:28
And all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah with shouting, and with sound of the trumpet, and with clarions, and with cymbals, playing aloud with lutes and harps.
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 16:5
Asaph the chief, and second to him Zechariah, Jeiel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehiel, and Mattithiah, and Eliab, and Benaiah and Obed-Edom, and Jeiel, with instruments of lutes and with harps; and Asaph sounding with cymbals;
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 25:1
And David and the captains of the host separated for the service those of the sons of Asaph and of Heman and of Jeduthun who were to prophesy with harps and lutes and cymbals; and the number of the men employed according to their service was:
(DBY)

1 Chronicles 25:6
All these were under the direction of their fathers Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman, for song in the house of Jehovah, with cymbals, lutes and harps, for the service of the house of God, under the direction of the king.
(DBY)

2 Chronicles 5:12
and the Levites the singers, all they of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, clad in byssus, with cymbals and lutes and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them a hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets),
(DBY)

2 Chronicles 9:11
And the king made of the sandal-wood stairs for the house of Jehovah, and for the king's house, and harps and lutes for the singers. And there were none such seen before in the land of Judah.)
(DBY)

2 Chronicles 20:28
And they came to Jerusalem with lutes and harps and trumpets, to the house of Jehovah.
(DBY NIV)

2 Chronicles 29:25
And he set the Levites in the house of Jehovah with cymbals, with lutes, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of Gad the king's seer, and of Nathan the prophet; for the commandment was of Jehovah through his prophets.
(DBY)

Nehemiah 12:27
And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to hold the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, lutes and harps.
(DBY)

Amos 5:23
Take away from me the noise of thy songs, and I will not hear the melody of thy lutes;
(DBY)

Subtopics

Lutes

Related Terms

Exaltation (9 Occurrences)

Predestination

Offices (14 Occurrences)

Decalogue

Dictionaries

Luxuriant (7 Occurrences)

Lutes (16 Occurrences)

Commentaries