MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE

Musical instruments have accompanied humanity since ancient times. The first biblical account confirms this fact in Genesis 4.21: "His brother's name was Jubal; this was the father of all who play the harp and flute." Based on this verse, we believe that Jubal, the sixth descendant of Cain, was the creator of instrumental music.

The instruments described in the Bible were made of noble wood, stretched animal skin, metal, and horn. Some were inlaid with ivory. The ropes were made of vegetable fiber or animal intestines. Even though almost none of these ancient instruments have survived to our time, some drawings have survived.

The instruments used in biblical times can be divided into three basic categories: string instruments, such as the harp, the lyre, and the lute; wind instruments, such as the horn, or Shofar, the trumpet, the much-loved flute, or fife; percussion instruments, such as the tambourine, the sistrum, the cymbals, and the bells, or bells. Musicians played these instruments to accompany poems and singing. (I Samuel 18:6,7). Most importantly, they were used in worship by the God who had blessed them with the gift of music. (I Chronicles 15:16). The Levites used them in wars. Praising God has always been part of the Lord's people.

In the word of God, we observe the musical instruments used by the Hebrews, especially those with strings: The kinnor, the "harp." The Nebel, "skin container," translated as "psaltery." The sabbeka, or “sackbut”, a lute or lyre. The gittith, cited in the subtitle of Psalms 8 and 84. Minnim is translated as "stringed instruments" (Psalms 150:4). Machalath or Maalate Leanote, in the subtitles of Psalms 53 and 88, is a type of lute. Of the wind instruments, we see the following in the word of God: The ugab (Genesis 4:21; Job 21:12; 30:31), probably the so-called pan flute. The queen or "horn" (Joshua 6:5; 1 Chronicles 25:5). The shophar, translated "trumpet" (Joshua 6:4,6,8). The word means "bright". Some understand that it is called because of the clear and sharp sound it emits. It was frequently used (Exodus 19:13; Numbers 10:10; Judges 7:16,18; 1 Samuel 13:3). The hatsotserah, or straight trumpet (Psalm 98:6; Numbers 10:1-10). Some suppose this name to be an onomatopoetic word intended to imitate the pulsating sound of the trumpet, like the Latin taratantara. Some identified it with the modern trombone. The hall is "bored," a flute or pipe (1 Samuel 10:5; 1 Kings 1:40; Isaiah 5:12; Jeremiah 48:36) still used in Palestine. The sumponyah, translated as "double flute" (Daniel 3:5), is probably a type of bagpipe. The maskrokith'a (Daniel 3:5), translated as "pipe," is not known precisely what it was.

Musical Instruments in the Bible (most common):

• PSALTTERY – Stringed instrument to accompany the voice (Psalms 33.2; 144.9). It was a type of lute, similar to the viola, but triangular or trapezoidal;
• CYMBALS – Percussion instruments formed by two cymbals;
• LUTE – String instrument, similar to the viola. It is the translation of the common Hebrew word Nebel. The term psalter most often translates as Nebel. The strings were played with the fingers (Isaiah 5.12; 14.11; Amos 5.23; 6.5);
• TAMBORINS – Small drums. Even today, women from the East dance to the sound of the tambourine. (Exodus 15.20; 2 Samuel 6.5; Job 21.12);
• HARP – It is the oldest known musical instrument before the flood (Genesis 4.1). The Hebrew word kinnor, translated as harp, probably means the lyre. The Hebrews used it not only for their devotions but also for their hobbies. It appears to have been made of bone and turtle shells in its earliest forms. The harp was a light instrument in its construction, as can be seen in the fact that David danced while playing, just as the Levites did (I Samuel 16.23 and 18.10). It was not used in times of sadness (Job 30:31; Psalm 137:2).

Less common instruments:

• BAGPIPE – Daniel 3.5, 15
• PIFE – Job 21.12; Daniel 3.5
• HORN – Job 21.12; 30.31
• TRUMPETS – Numbers 10.9,10; 2Ch 5.12; Isaiah 27.13
• ZITAR – Daniel 3.5
• TAMBOURINE – 2 Samuel 6.5
• DRUM – Genesis 31.27; 1 Samuel 10.5

The musical technique is appreciated in the Bible:

1. Sing harmoniously (Psalm 47.7): " For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding."
2. The word of God presents David as an instrumentalist (I Samuel 17:18): "And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me."
3. There were people trained in music (I Chronicles 15.22): " And Chenaniah, chief of the Levites, was for song: he instructed about the song, because he was skillful."
4. Play well to the Lord (Psalm 33.3): " Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise."

The usual word refers to instruments praising his name and a potent battle weapon. Praise is a means of grace and must always be present in the lives of God's servants. We mention King Jehoshaphat (God-fearing king) from many examples worldwide. He was a descendant of King David. He was the king of Judah when Israel was divided into two separate kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south. David's descendants reigned over Judah. ​​Jehoshaphat inherited the throne from his father, Asa, another God-fearing king and direct descendant of David, and reigned for 25 years. He faced a battle without using weapons, just praising God. He placed the Levites in front of the soldiers, and God confused the enemy armies, causing them to destroy themselves. (II Chronicles 20:21-22 " And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the LORD, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the LORD; for his mercy endureth for ever."