Lexical Summary sumponeyah: Bagpipe, musical instrument Original Word: סוּמְפוֹנְיָה 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. 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. 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 wəsūpōnəyāhLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 Daniel 3:15 3 Occurrences |
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