In the context of the Bible, the term "player" is not directly referenced as it is understood in modern vernacular, such as an athlete or musician. However, the concept of playing, particularly in the form of music and instruments, is prevalent throughout the Scriptures. The Bible often highlights the role of musicians and those who play instruments in worship, celebration, and even in times of mourning.

Musicians and Instrumentalists in Worship

The Bible frequently mentions the use of musical instruments in worship and praise to God. King David, a central figure in the Old Testament, was known for his musical talent. He played the harp and composed many of the Psalms, which were often set to music. In 1 Samuel 16:23 , it is noted, "And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play, and relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him."

The Levites, a tribe set apart for religious duties, were also skilled musicians. In 1 Chronicles 15:16 , David instructs the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to "raise their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals." This highlights the organized and integral role of musicians in the worship practices of Israel.

Celebration and Joy

Music and playing instruments are often associated with joy and celebration in the Bible. In Psalm 150:3-5 , the psalmist exhorts, "Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with the strings and flute. Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals." This passage underscores the exuberant and joyful expression of worship through music.

Mourning and Lamentation

Conversely, music also plays a role in times of mourning and lamentation. In the book of Job, musicians are mentioned in the context of lament. Job 30:31 states, "My harp is tuned to mourning, and my flute to the sound of weeping." This illustrates the use of music as a means to express deep sorrow and grief.

Skill and Craftsmanship

The Bible acknowledges the skill and craftsmanship involved in playing instruments. In Exodus 31:1-5 , God speaks to Moses about Bezalel, whom He has filled with the Spirit of God, giving him wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, including artistic designs. While this passage does not specifically mention musical instruments, it reflects the biblical appreciation for skilled artistry, which would include the playing of instruments.

Spiritual Warfare

Music also holds a place in spiritual warfare. In 2 Chronicles 20:21-22 , King Jehoshaphat appoints men to sing to the Lord and praise Him for the splendor of His holiness as they went out at the head of the army. As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the enemies of Judah, leading to their defeat. This account demonstrates the power of music and praise in invoking divine intervention.

In summary, while the term "player" as understood today is not explicitly found in the Bible, the act of playing instruments is deeply embedded in biblical narratives, serving various purposes from worship and celebration to mourning and spiritual warfare. The Bible portrays musicians as vital contributors to the spiritual and communal life of God's people.1. (n.) One who plays, or amuses himself; one without serious aims; an idler; a trifler.

2. (n.) One who plays any game.

3. (n.) A dramatic actor.

4. (n.) One who plays on an instrument of music.

5. (n.) A gamester; a gambler.

834. auletes -- a flute player
... a flute player. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: auletes Phonetic
Spelling: (ow-lay-tace') Short Definition: a flute-player Definition: a flute ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/834.htm - 6k

5273. hupokrites -- one who answers, an actor, a hypocrite
... Transliteration: hupokrites Phonetic Spelling: (hoop-ok-ree-tace') Short Definition:
a hypocrite, dissembler Definition: (lit: a stage-player), a hypocrite ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5273.htm - 7k

2790. kitharodos -- one who plays and sings to the lyre
... harper. From kithara and a derivative of the same as oide; a lyre-singer(-player),
ie Harpist -- harper. see GREEK kithara. see GREEK oide. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2790.htm - 6k

5059. nagan -- to touch or play a stringed instrument
... or play a stringed instrument NASB Word Usage minstrel (1), minstrel played (1),
musician (1), musicians (1), play (5), play songs (1), player (1), playing (2 ...
/hebrew/5059.htm - 6k

2490. chalal -- to bore, pierce
... begin (X men began), defile, X break, defile, X eat (as common things), X first,
X gather the grape thereof, X take inheritance, pipe, player on instruments ...
/hebrew/2490.htm - 6k

The Master's Touch.
... And at last it was knocked down to the famous player himself for one hundred guineas
in gold, and that evening he held a vast audience of thousands breathless ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/the masters touch.htm

Appendix.
... acting, and grieve that they are injured, and that the honours due to them are withheld
if the pantomimist halts for a little, or the player, being wearied ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/appendix.htm

That the Romans Should have Understood that Gods who Desired to be ...
... exhibited to gratify them. With what justice, then, is the player
excommunicated by whom God is worshipped? On what pretext can ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 13 that the romans should.htm

The Fan. Matthew iii. 12
... Listen to this letter. The man that wrote it was a football player. He was in the
Bolton Wanderers, in its day a crack club. He was also a singer in the choir. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/liv the fan matthew iii.htm

Rondelet, {7} the Huguenot Naturalist {8}
... Rabelais seems to have liked Rondelet, and no wonder: he was a cheery, lovable,
honest little fellow, very fond of jokes, a great musician and player on the ...
/.../kingsley/historical lectures and essays/rondelet 7 the huguenot naturalist.htm

Gambling, Card-Playing
... One, two, four hours go by almost unnoticed. Prizes are offered for the best player.
As a Catholic priest told me after he had won a small sum with cards. ...
/.../questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/iii gambling card-playing.htm

The Note of Idealism.
... To aid them in this endeavour they call the painter, the sculptor, the dramatist,
the man of letters, the player skilled in the language of music, and to one ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter iii the note of.htm

Seated Where There is Nothing of God, Will one be Thinking of his ...
... thought to prophetic appeals? Amid the measures of the effeminate player,
will he call up to himself a psalm? And when the athletes ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter xxv seated where there.htm

Here Peradventure Some Man May Say, "If it was Bodily Work that ...
... One thing I know, that he neither did steal, nor was a housebreaker or highwayman,
nor chariot-driver or hunter or player, nor given to filthy lucre: but ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 14 here peradventure some.htm

The First Games
... By means of certain astute methods, an artful player can make the pea stick to his
fingers, or to the inside of the shell, and the opponent loses every time. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/iv the first games.htm

Player (4 Occurrences)
...Player (4 Occurrences). 1 Samuel 16:16 Let our lord now command your servants who
are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. ...
/p/player.htm - 8k

Split (36 Occurrences)
... 11. (vi) to divide one hand of blackjack into two hands, allowed when the
first two cards dealt to a player have the same value. 12. ...
/s/split.htm - 19k

Error (90 Occurrences)
... 9. (n.) A fault of a player of the side in the field which results in failure to
put out a player on the other side, or gives him an unearned base. Int. ...
/e/error.htm - 38k

Double (49 Occurrences)
... Hence, a wraith. 20. (n.) A player or singer who prepares to take the part of another
player in his absence; a substitute. 21. (n.) Double beer; strong beer. ...
/d/double.htm - 26k

Minstrel (1 Occurrence)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Matthew 9:23), a flute-player. ... In 2 Kings 3:15 it denotes
a player on a stringed instrument. Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/m/minstrel.htm - 7k

Playing (37 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 3:15 But now, get me a player of music, and it will come about that while
the man is playing, the hand of the Lord will come on me and I will give you ...
/p/playing.htm - 18k

Expert (59 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 16:16 Now give orders to your servants who are here before you to go in
search of a man who is an expert player on a corded instrument: and it will be ...
/e/expert.htm - 25k

Run (147 Occurrences)
... 69. (n.) In baseball, a complete circuit of the bases made by a player, which enables
him to score one; in cricket, a passing from one wicket to the other, by ...
/r/run.htm - 43k

Players (7 Occurrences)

/p/players.htm - 8k

Music (143 Occurrences)
... flute, and one a dulcimer. Two of the harpists and the dulcimer-player
appear to be dancing or skipping. Then follow 6 women; 4 ...
/m/music.htm - 78k

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