The term "trigon" appears in the context of the Book of Daniel, specifically in Daniel 3:5, 3:7, 3:10, and 3:15, within the narrative of King Nebuchadnezzar's golden image and the command for all peoples to worship it. The Berean Standard Bible translates this term as part of a list of musical instruments used during the ceremony: "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 3:5).

Historical and Cultural Context

The trigon is understood to be a type of musical instrument, likely a stringed instrument, given its association with other stringed instruments like the lyre and harp in the biblical text. The term "trigon" is derived from the Greek word "trigonon," which means "triangle." This suggests that the instrument may have had a triangular shape, similar to a small harp or lyre.

In the ancient Near Eastern context, music played a significant role in religious and royal ceremonies. Instruments like the trigon would have been used to create an atmosphere of reverence and awe, enhancing the ceremonial experience. The inclusion of the trigon in the list of instruments underscores the grandeur and importance of the event described in Daniel 3, where music was used to signal the moment of worship.

Theological Significance

Theologically, the mention of the trigon and other instruments in Daniel 3 highlights the conflict between the worship of the one true God and the idolatrous practices of pagan nations. The command to worship the golden image, accompanied by the sound of these instruments, sets the stage for the faithful stand of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refuse to bow down, demonstrating their allegiance to God alone.

The use of music in this narrative also reflects the broader biblical theme of music as a powerful tool for both worship and manipulation. While music is often associated with the worship of God, as seen in the Psalms and other parts of Scripture, in this instance, it is used to enforce idolatry, illustrating how elements of worship can be distorted for ungodly purposes.

Linguistic Considerations

The original Aramaic term used in the Book of Daniel is "sabbeka," which has been variously translated in different Bible versions. The choice of "trigon" in some translations reflects an attempt to capture the likely nature of the instrument as understood from historical and linguistic studies. The exact identification of the trigon remains uncertain, but its inclusion in the biblical text serves to enrich the narrative with cultural and historical depth.

Conclusion

The trigon, as mentioned in the Book of Daniel, serves as a reminder of the cultural and religious dynamics of the ancient world. It illustrates the use of music in both worship and idolatry, providing a backdrop for the demonstration of faith by God's people in the face of external pressures to conform to pagan practices.1. (n.) A figure having three angles; a triangle.

2. (n.) A division consisting of three signs.

3. (n.) Trine, an aspect of two planets distant 120 degrees from each other.

4. (n.) A kind of triangular lyre or harp.

5. (n.) A kind of game at ball played by three persons standing at the angular points of a triangle.

5443. sabbeka -- trigon (a musical instrument)
... sabbeka or sabbeka. 5444 . trigon (a musical instrument). Transliteration: sabbeka
or sabbeka Phonetic Spelling: (sab-bek-aw') Short Definition: trigon. ...
/hebrew/5443.htm - 6k

6460. pesanterin -- (a triangular stringed instrument) perhaps ...
... (a triangular stringed instrument) perhaps trigon. Transliteration: pesanterin Phonetic
Spelling: (pes-an-tay-reen') Short Definition: psaltery. ...
/hebrew/6460.htm - 6k

Daniel
... Further, within two verses, iii.4, 5, occur no less than five Greek words (herald,
harp, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe), one of which, psanterin, by its change ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/daniel.htm

Trigon (3 Occurrences)
... 5. (n.) A kind of game at ball played by three persons standing at the angular points
of a triangle. Multi-Version Concordance Trigon (3 Occurrences). ...
/t/trigon.htm - 7k

Pipes (9 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 That when the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe,
and all sorts of instruments, comes to your ears, you are to go down on your ...
/p/pipes.htm - 9k

Bagpipe (4 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 That when the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe,
and all sorts of instruments, comes to your ears, you are to go down on your ...
/b/bagpipe.htm - 8k

Sorts (65 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 That when the sound of the horn, pipe, harp, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe,
and all sorts of instruments, comes to your ears, you are to go down on your ...
/s/sorts.htm - 26k

Trim (4 Occurrences)

/t/trim.htm - 9k

Trine
... 2. (n.) The aspect of planets distant from each other 120 degrees, or one
third of the zodiac; trigon. 3. (n.) A triad; trinity. ...
/t/trine.htm - 14k

Trifling (1 Occurrence)

/t/trifling.htm - 7k

Flaming (40 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:15 Now if you are ready, on hearing the sound of the horn, pipe, harp,
trigon, psaltery, bagpipe, and all sorts of instruments, to go down on your ...
/f/flaming.htm - 19k

Music (143 Occurrences)
... The small triangular harp, or trigon, has been suggested, but it would hardly have
made its presence felt among a number of drums or tambourines. ...
/m/music.htm - 78k

Trigon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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