Encyclopedia › Music and instruments
Encyclopedia
Music and instruments
The strings, pipes, horns and drums of the Bible lands, and the people who played them — at feasts and funerals, in war, at court and in the temple.
LyreHebrew kinnor · Greek kithara · about 42 mentions · “David’s harp”
HarpHebrew nevel · about 27 mentions · its exact shape is debated
Ram’s horn and trumpetsHebrew shofar (ram’s horn), chatsotsrah (trumpet) · signals for gatherings, war and feasts
CymbalsHebrew tseltselim, metsiltayim · Greek kymbalon · always a pair
Tambourine and danceHebrew tof (hand drum), machol (dance) · played mostly by women
Pipe and fluteHebrew chalil, ugav · Greek aulos · reed pipes for feasts and mourning
Levite singers and musiciansThe families of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun · 1 Chronicles 25