5481. sumponeyah
Lexical Summary
sumponeyah: Bagpipe, musical instrument

Original Word: סוּמְפוֹנְיָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: cuwmpownyah
Pronunciation: soom-poh-neh-yah
Phonetic Spelling: (soom-po-neh-yaw')
KJV: dulcimer
NASB: bagpipe
Word Origin: [of Greek origin]

1. a wind instrument (with a double pipe), a bagpipe, panpipes

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
dulcimer

(Aramaic) or cuwmponyah (Aramaic) {soom-po-neh-yaw'}; or ciyphonya: (Dan. 3:10) (Aramaic) {see-fo-neh-yaw'}; of Greek origin; a bagpipe (with a double pipe) -- dulcimer.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
(Aramaic) of foreign origin
Definition
a bagpipe
NASB Translation
bagpipe (4).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
סוּמְמֹּנְיָה noun feminine, bag-pipe, or double pipe, or Pan's pipe (see GFMJBL, 1905, 166 ff.) (Late Hebrew LevyNHWB iii. 492; Late Hebrew Aramaic סִימְלאסמּוֺן is tube, especially vein, artery Idib. 513; loan-word from (late) Greek συμφωνία, Kraussii. 376, 390 Bev41 DrDaniel 3:5 NesMM 37 (hence also later Latin symphonia, Ital. zampogna), PrinceKB 9230); — absolute ׳ס Daniel 3:5,15, = סיפניה Kt, סוּמֹּנְיָה Qr Daniel 3:10 (Syriac id.; compare Palmyrene ספון = σύμφωνος, in agreement, Lzb330 GACookeInscr. 338).

Topical Lexicon
Occurrences in Scripture

Daniel 3:5, Daniel 3:10, and Daniel 3:15 each mention סוּמְפוֹנְיָה in the list of musical sounds that signaled all peoples to “fall down and worship the golden statue” erected by King Nebuchadnezzar. Berean Standard Bible: “When you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and every kind of music…” (Daniel 3:5). The term stands alongside six other named instruments, forming an impressive ceremonial ensemble.

Historical and Cultural Background

The setting is sixth-century-BC Babylon, a world-empire that absorbed musicians and instruments from many conquered peoples. Royal decrees were announced with pomp, reinforcing the total authority of the monarch. Archaeological finds depict double-reeds, lyres, harps, and composite wind instruments not unlike a primitive bagpipe. סוּמְפוֹנְיָה likely referred either to such a multi-pipe wind instrument or, by metonymy, to the coordinated orchestra itself. Whatever the precise identity, its placement near the end of the list in Daniel suggests an instrument capable of producing a broad, attention-commanding sound suitable for imperial pageantry.

Musical Characteristics

Ancient descriptions speak of an air reservoir (animal skin or gourd) feeding multiple pipes. Continuous sound was possible, freeing players to march in procession while sustaining a drone and melody. The instrument’s range and volume made it ideal for outdoor rites; it could rise above the crowd noise and unify diverse instruments into a single “symphony.” The Hebrew writer, borrowing a Greek loanword, may have wished to communicate the idea of blended, overwhelming music that left no hearer untouched.

Theological Significance in Daniel

1. Test of Allegiance: The instrument’s blast marked the precise moment when civil loyalty clashed with covenant loyalty. Refusal to bow became unmistakable.
2. Idolatry’s Spectacle: The lavish use of music shows how human authority employs beauty and emotion to cloak rebellion against God. The very harmonies intended to honor the statue became the backdrop for one of Scripture’s greatest demonstrations of fidelity to the living God.
3. Divine Deliverance: Against the crescendo of imperial music stands the silent faith of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, culminating in their miraculous rescue (Daniel 3:24-30). The narrative contrasts manufactured sound with the Word of God, which needs no orchestra to prove its power.

Applications for Worship and Ministry

• Discernment in Art: Music is a gift of God, yet it may be co-opted for idolatrous ends. Christian worship leaders must ensure that artistry serves truth rather than eclipsing it.
• Courage under Pressure: Modern believers may face cultural “symphonies” that demand conformity—media, political rhetoric, popular opinion. The account in Daniel encourages steadfastness rooted in Scripture.
• Corporate Witness: The faithfulness of three Hebrews amid an assembled multitude reminds the church that public obedience, though costly, can become a testimony that leads even hostile rulers to glorify God (Daniel 3:28-29).

Summary

סוּמְפוֹנְיָה represents more than an ancient instrument; it embodies the orchestrated call of worldly power, set against the unwavering loyalty God requires. Its appearance solely in Daniel 3 underscores the theme that true worship hinges not on musical grandeur but on hearts steadfast to the Lord.

Forms and Transliterations
וְסוּמְפֹּ֨נְיָ֜ה וְסוּפֹּ֣נְיָ֔ה וסומפניה וסופניה סוּמְפֹּ֣נְיָ֔ה סומפניה sū·mə·pō·nə·yāh sumePoneYah sūməpōnəyāh vesumePoneYah vesuPoneYah wə·sū·mə·pō·nə·yāh wə·sū·pō·nə·yāh wəsūməpōnəyāh wəsūpōnəyāh
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Daniel 3:5
HEB: סַבְּכָ֤א פְּסַנְתֵּרִין֙ סוּמְפֹּ֣נְיָ֔ה וְכֹ֖ל זְנֵ֣י
NAS: psaltery, bagpipe and all
KJV: psaltery, dulcimer, and all
INT: trigon psaltery bagpipe and all kinds

Daniel 3:10
HEB: [וְסִיפֹּנְיָה כ] (וְסוּפֹּ֣נְיָ֔ה ק) וְכֹ֖ל
NAS: psaltery, and bagpipe and all
KJV: psaltery, and dulcimer, and all
INT: trigon psaltery bagpipe and all kinds

Daniel 3:15
HEB: שַׂבְּכָ֡א פְּסַנְתֵּרִין֩ וְסוּמְפֹּ֨נְיָ֜ה וְכֹ֣ל ׀ זְנֵ֣י
NAS: psaltery and bagpipe and all
KJV: psaltery, and dulcimer, and all
INT: trigon psaltery and bagpipe and all kinds

3 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5481
3 Occurrences


sū·mə·pō·nə·yāh — 1 Occ.
wə·sū·mə·pō·nə·yāh — 1 Occ.
wə·sū·pō·nə·yāh — 1 Occ.

5480b
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