The sackbut is a musical instrument mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Daniel. It is part of the ensemble of instruments used in the worship of the golden image set up by King Nebuchadnezzar. The term "sackbut" appears in the context of a decree that required all people to fall down and worship the image whenever they heard the sound of various musical instruments.

Biblical References:

The primary reference to the sackbut is found in Daniel 3:5, 7, 10, and 15. In these verses, the sackbut is listed among other instruments such as the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, and pipes. The Berean Standard Bible translates these verses as follows:

· Daniel 3:5 : "As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up."
· Daniel 3:7 : "Therefore, as soon as all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, and all kinds of music, they fell down and worshiped the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up."
· Daniel 3:10 : "You, O king, have issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the golden statue."
· Daniel 3:15 : "Now, if you are ready, as soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the statue I have made."

Historical and Cultural Context:

The sackbut is often identified with a type of ancient stringed or wind instrument. The exact nature of the sackbut is a matter of some debate among scholars, as the term used in the original Aramaic text, "sabbecha," is not definitively linked to a specific instrument known today. Some suggest it may have been similar to a harp or lyre, while others propose it could have been a type of wind instrument, possibly akin to a trombone or trumpet.

In the context of the Babylonian Empire, music played a significant role in both religious and royal ceremonies. The ensemble of instruments mentioned in Daniel 3 reflects the grandeur and authority of Nebuchadnezzar's reign, as well as the cultural diversity of his empire, which included influences from various conquered peoples.

Theological Significance:

The mention of the sackbut in the Book of Daniel is significant for its role in the narrative of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refused to bow down to the golden image despite the king's decree. Their defiance and subsequent miraculous deliverance from the fiery furnace serve as a powerful testament to faithfulness and the sovereignty of God over earthly powers.

The use of music in this context underscores the theme of worship and idolatry, highlighting the tension between allegiance to God and the demands of secular authority. The account challenges believers to consider the objects of their worship and the pressures to conform to societal norms that may conflict with their faith.

Conclusion:

The sackbut, as mentioned in the Book of Daniel, serves as a reminder of the cultural and religious dynamics of the ancient Near East. Its inclusion in the biblical text invites reflection on the nature of worship, the power of music, and the steadfastness required to remain faithful to God in the face of external pressures.(Chald. sabkha; Gr. sambuke), a Syrian stringed instrument resembling a harp (Dan. 3:5, 7, 10, 15); not the modern sackbut, which is a wind instrument. (n.) A brass wind instrument, like a bass trumpet, so contrived that it can be lengthened or shortened according to the tone required; -- said to be the same as the trombone.SACKBUT

sak'-but.

See MUSIC, III, 1, (f).

5443. sabbeka -- trigon (a musical instrument)
... sackbut. (Aramaic) or sabbka: (Aramaic) {sab-bek- aw'}; from a root corresponding
to cabak; a lyre -- sackbut. see HEBREW cabak. 5442, 5443. ...
/hebrew/5443.htm - 6k

The Lord Coming to his Temple
... doom awaiting them if they continue obstinate, is sung for their diversion, accompanied
with the sound of cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon iv the lord coming.htm

Ode vii.
... blest!". Joined with the trumpet-peal, the din and shout,. Cornet flute, sackbut,
dulcimer rang out,. And bade adore the golden deity: ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neale/hymns of the eastern church/ode vii 3.htm

Harmless Fires
... Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp,
sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/harmless fires.htm

The Holy Spirit's Chief Office
... Coronet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music are for
Nebuchadnezzar's golden image; but as for our God, our one harp is Christ ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 40 1894/the holy spirits chief office.htm

An Exhortation to the People Respecting Fortitude and Patience...
... cried, "To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at what time
ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily iv an exhortation to.htm

"The Sun of Righteousness"
... They may throw the golden apples in his road, but he does not observe them; they
may sound harp and sackbut to the right, and breathe the lute or sweeter ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the sun of righteousness.htm

The Christian Described
... He and his fellows sound the sackbut, whose notes are more doleful than the notes
of other music are, though indeed some say the bass is the ground of music. ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xii the christian described.htm

Godly Fear and Its Goodly Consequence
... At the sound of flute, harp, sackbut and all kinds of music, the herald proclaims
that whosoever will not bow down and worship the image that Nebuchadnezzar ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/godly fear and its goodly.htm

Knowledge. Worship. Gratitude.
... Must we always hear the sackbut? Is the harp never to give forth a joy-note? Some
show their unthankfulness by fretting under their supposed ills. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/knowledge worship gratitude.htm

His Name --Wonderful!
... By the music of flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of instruments? No.
How then? By riches? By fame? By wealth? Ah, no. By a strong mind? ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/his namewonderful.htm

Sackbut (4 Occurrences)
... sambuke), a Syrian stringed instrument resembling a harp (Dan. 3:5, 7, 10, 15);
not the modern sackbut, which is a wind instrument. ...SACKBUT. sak'-but. ...
/s/sackbut.htm - 8k

Musick (10 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the ...
/m/musick.htm - 9k

Psaltery (17 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the ...
/p/psaltery.htm - 12k

Cornet (8 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the ...
/c/cornet.htm - 11k

Trigon (3 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the ...
/t/trigon.htm - 7k

Dulcimer (3 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the ...
/d/dulcimer.htm - 8k

Symphony (3 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 at the time that ye hear the voice of the cornet, the flute, the harp,
the sackbut, the psaltery, the symphony, and all kinds of music, ye fall down ...
/s/symphony.htm - 8k

Obeisance (45 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 at the time that ye hear the voice of the cornet, the flute, the harp,
the sackbut, the psaltery, the symphony, and all kinds of music, ye fall down ...
/o/obeisance.htm - 22k

Nebuchadnez'zar (55 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 at the time that ye hear the voice of the cornet, the flute, the harp,
the sackbut, the psaltery, the symphony, and all kinds of music, ye fall down ...
/n/nebuchadnez'zar.htm - 24k

Sack (15 Occurrences)

/s/sack.htm - 12k

Sackbut: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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