The musical instruments of the Hebrews played a significant role in their religious, cultural, and social life, as evidenced by numerous references throughout the Old Testament. These instruments were used in worship, celebrations, and various ceremonies, reflecting the rich musical heritage of the ancient Israelites.

Stringed Instruments

1. Harp (Kinnor): The harp, or kinnor, is one of the oldest and most frequently mentioned instruments in the Bible. It is often associated with King David, who played it to soothe King Saul (1 Samuel 16:23). The kinnor was used in both secular and sacred contexts, including temple worship (2 Chronicles 5:12). "Praise Him with the harp and lyre" (Psalm 150:3).

2. Lyre (Nevel): The lyre, or nevel, was another prominent stringed instrument. It is often mentioned alongside the harp and was used in temple music and other religious ceremonies (1 Chronicles 15:16). The lyre had a deeper tone compared to the harp and was played by skilled Levites.

Wind Instruments

1. Trumpet (Shofar): The shofar, made from a ram's horn, was used for signaling and ceremonial purposes. It played a crucial role in religious festivals, such as the Feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24), and in battle, as seen in the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6:4-5). "Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain" (Joel 2:1).

2. Flute (Chalil): The flute, or chalil, was a woodwind instrument used in joyful occasions and celebrations. It is mentioned in contexts of merriment and festivity (1 Kings 1:40). The flute's soft and melodious sound added to the joyous atmosphere of Hebrew gatherings.

Percussion Instruments

1. Tambourine (Toph): The tambourine, or toph, was a handheld percussion instrument often associated with dance and celebration. Miriam, the sister of Moses, played the tambourine as she led the women in dance after crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20). "Praise Him with tambourine and dancing" (Psalm 150:4).

2. Cymbals (Tseltselim): Cymbals were used in temple worship to create a loud, resonant sound. They were played by the Levites during the dedication of the temple and other significant religious events (1 Chronicles 15:16, 19). "Praise Him with clashing cymbals" (Psalm 150:5).

Other Instruments

1. Sistrum (Menaanim): The sistrum was a type of rattle used in religious ceremonies. It is mentioned in 2 Samuel 6:5, where David and the Israelites celebrated before the Ark of the Covenant with various instruments, including the sistrum.

2. Horn (Qeren): The horn, distinct from the shofar, was a brass instrument used in both secular and sacred contexts. It is mentioned in Daniel 3:5, where it was part of the orchestra that played during the worship of Nebuchadnezzar's golden image.

The use of musical instruments in Hebrew culture was deeply intertwined with their worship and expression of faith. These instruments not only provided accompaniment to vocal music but also enhanced the communal and spiritual experiences of the Israelites. The biblical references to these instruments highlight their importance in the life and worship of God's chosen people.Musical Instruments of the Hebrews

(There has been great obscurity as to the instruments of music in use among the Hebrews, but the discoveries on the monuments of Egypt and Assyria have thrown much light upon the form and nature of these instruments. I. STRINGED INSTRUMENTS.--

1. The harp or lyre. [See illustration]
2. The psaltery , the name of various large instruments of the harp kind.
3. The sackbut , a harp-like instrument of four strings and of triangular form.
4. A kind of lute or guitar (mahalath), in titles to (Psalms 53:1) and Psal 88:1 With a long, flat neck, and a hollow body of wood whose surface was perforated with holes. There were three strings, end the whole instrument was three or four feet long.
5. The gittith , in titles to (Psalms 8:1; 81:1; 84:1) a stringed instrument, probably found by David st Gath, whence its name. II. INSTRUMENTS OF PERCUSSION.
6. The timbrel , a form of tambourine, a narrow hoop covered with a tightened skin, and struck with the hand on the Egyptian monuments are three kinds --the circular, the square, and another formed by two squares separated by a bar.
7. The drum (toph). Of this there were many varieties, some of them resembling modern drums. The Egyptians had along drum, of wood or copper, 2 1/2 feet long, resembling the tom-tom of India, and beaten by the hand. Another form was shaped like a cask with bulging centre, and was made of copper. It was of the same length as the other, but larger around, and was beaten with sticks. Another drum was more like our kettledrum; and one of these, the rabbins say, was placed in the temple court to the priests to prayer, and could be heard from Jerusalem to Jericho.
8. Bells (paanton), attached to the high priest's dress, and rung by striking against the knobs, shaped like pomegranates, which were hung near them.
9. Cymbals . The earliest cymbals were probably finger cymbals -small plates of metal fastened to the thumb and middle finger, and struck together. Afterward there were the large cymbals, played with both hands.
10. Systra (menaanim), (2 Samuel 6:5) there translated comets. The systrum was a carved bronze or copper frame, with a handle, in all from 8 to 18 inches long, with movable rings and bars. It was shaken with the hand, and the rings and bars made a piercing metallic sound by striking against the bronze frame.
11. The triangle (shalishim), (1 Samuel 18:6) a musical instrument (machol) used for accompanying the dance, and several times translated dancing. (Psalms 150:3,45) It was a metallic rim or frame sometimes with a handle and had small bells attached to it, or bars across on which were strung metallic rings or plates. It was held in the hand, and was played by the women at weddings and merry-makings. III. WIND INSTRUMENTS. --
12. The syrinx, pandean pipe or bagpipe (ugab); translated "organ" in (Genesis 4:21) Either like the bagpipe, or a series of pipes from 5 to 23 in number, though usually only 7.
13. The horn ,in the form of an animal's horn even when made of metal but originating in the use of the horns of cattle.
14. The trumpet (shophar) same as horn, 2.
15. The straight trumpet .
16. The flute (halil , meaning "bored through "), a pipe perforated with holes, originally made from reeds, but afterward of wood bone, horn or ivory. It was chiefly consecrated to joy or pleasure.
17. The flute , alluded to in (Daniel 3:6) probably a kind of double flageolet.
18. The dulcimer , (Daniel 3:5) a kind of bagpipe with two shrill reeds. The modern dulcimer is a triangular instrument strung with about 60 brass wires, and played upon with little sticks or metallic rods. It more resembles the ancient psaltery than the dulcimer of (Daniel 3:5) --ED.)

On the Psalms. I.
... the "psaltery," [1382] and by the Hebrews the "nabla," which is the only musical
instrument that is ... with the lute and certain other instruments, but from ...
/.../hippolytus/the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on the psalms i.htm

How the Hebrews were Delivered from a Famine when the Gibeonites ...
... far off the bounds of the country of the Hebrews. ... with a bow; the psaltery had twelve
musical notes, and ... the cymbals were broad and large instruments, and were ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how the hebrews.htm

That when David had Conquered the Philistines who Made War against ...
... ten thousands of their men, they still came upon the Hebrews with greater ... songs usual
among them, with variety of the sounds of musical instruments, and with ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 that when david.htm

Of the Law.
... to God out of a grateful mind; so He did now permit the Hebrews, not commanding ... me;
the sound of thine hymns, and the psalms of thy musical instruments, I will ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iv of the law.htm

Noah's Justice
... We read, in the twelfth chapter of Hebrews, that it was by faith these ... and flesh;
that they had invented all sorts of music and musical instruments; that they ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon x noahs justice.htm

How Solomon Grew Rich, and Fell Desperately in Love with Women and ...
... the temple and the palace, as also for the materials of musical instruments, the
harps ... in wisdom and riches those that had been rulers of the Hebrews before him ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 7 how solomon grew.htm

How David, when He had Recovered his Kingdom, was Reconciled to ...
... 1. Now those Hebrews that had been With Absalom, and had retired out of the ... up to
hear the sound of pipes, or the melody of other musical instruments, such as ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 how david when.htm

Introduction
... himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron' (Hebrews 5:4 ... with light, the
will invested with liberty, the affections like musical instruments tuned with ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/1 introduction.htm

Of the Building of this Temple
... on the second month, which the Macedonians call Artemisius, and the Hebrews Jur,
five ... And he made musical instruments, and such as were invented for singing of ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 3 of the building.htm

The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
... or shorter and longer clauses, where the poetry of the Hebrews assumes the ... Of the
titles supposed to indicate either musical instruments or modes of musical ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxi the poetical books.htm

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