Dictionary of Bible Themes: 5421 musical instruments

5421 musical instruments

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 5000 Humanity » 5200 Human civilisation » 5421 musical instruments

Scripture names a large number of musical instruments, particularly in the OT, reflecting the importance of music in Israelite worship and culture.

Wind instruments

Trumpets

Exodus 19:16; Exodus 20:18; Leviticus 25:9; Judges 3:27; 1 Kings 1:39; Psalm 150:3; Revelation 8:7-13

Flutes

Genesis 4:21; Job 21:12; Psalm 150:4; Daniel 3:5-15; Matthew 9:23; Matthew 11:17

Horns

Psalm 98:4-6 The NIV translates several different Hebrew words as “ram's horn” or “horn”, including “shophar” (Ps 81:3) which is translated elsewhere as “trumpet”. The horn was a very similar instrument to the trumpet, being made from the horn of an animal, usually a ram. See also Exodus 19:13; 2 Chronicles 15:14; Psalm 81:3

Stringed instruments

Harps

Genesis 4:21; 1 Samuel 16:18; Job 30:31; Psalm 43:4; Psalm 81:2; Psalm 149:3; Psalm 150:3; Daniel 3:5-11; Revelation 5:8

Lyres

Psalm 33:2; Psalm 71:22; Psalm 81:2; Psalm 108:2; Psalm 144:9; Daniel 3:5-10

Several of the psalms were intended to be sung to the accompaniment of stringed instruments

Psalm 4:1 Title See also Psalm 6:1 Title; Psalm 54:1Title; Psalm 55:1Title; Psalm 61:1Title; Psalm 67:1Title; Psalm 76:1Title

Percussion instruments

Tambourines

Psalm 149:3; Isaiah 5:12 See also Genesis 31:27; Exodus 15:20-21; Judges 11:34; 1 Samuel 10:5; Samuel 18:6-7; 2 Samuel 6:5 pp 1 Chronicles 13:8; Job 21:12; Psalm 68:24-25; Psalm 81:1-2; Psalm 150:4; Isaiah 24:8; Isaiah 30:32; Jeremiah 31:4