Music

1. The most ancient music. --The inventor of musical instruments, like the first poet and the first forger of metals, was a Cainite. We learn from (Genesis 4:21) that Jubal the son of Lamech was "the father of all such as handle the harp and organ," that is, of all players upon stringed and wind instruments. The first mentioned of music in the times after the deluge is in the narrative of Laban's interview with Jacob, (Genesis 32:27) so that, whatever way it was preserved, the practice of music existed in the upland country of Syria, and of the three possible kinds of musical instruments two were known and employed to accompany the song. The three kinds are alluded to in (Job 21:12) On the banks of the Red Sea Moses and the children of Israel sang their triumphal song of deliverance from the hosts of Egypt; and Miriam, in celebration of the same event, exercised one of her functions as a prophetess by leading a procession of the women of the camp, chanting in chorus the burden of the song of Moses. The song of Deborah and Barak is cast in a distinctly metrical form, and was probably intended to be sung with a musical accompaniment as one of the people's songs. The simpler impromptu with which the women from the cities of Israel greeted David after the slaughter of the Philistines was apparently struck off on the spur of the moment, under the influence of the wild joy with which they welcomed their national champion. "the darling of the sons of Israel." (1 Samuel 18:6,7) Up to this time we meet with nothing like a systematic cultivation of music among the Hebrews, but the establishment of the schools of the prophets appears to have supplied this want. Whatever the students of these schools may have been taught, music was an essential part of their practice. Professional musicians soon became attached to the court.
2. The golden age of Hebrew music . David seems to have gathered round him "singing men and singing women." (2 Samuel 19:35) Solomon did the same, (Ecclesiastes 2:8) adding to the luxury of his court by his patronage of art, and obtaining a reputation himself as no mean composer. (1 Kings 4:32) But the temple was the great school of music, and it was consecrated to its highest service in the worship of Jehovah. Before, however the elaborate arrangements had been made by David for the temple choir, there must have been a considerable body of musicians throughout the country. (2 Samuel 6:5) (David chose 4000 musicians from the 38,000 Levies in his reign, or one in ten of the whole tribe. Of these musicians 288 were specially trained and skillful. (1 Chronicles 26:6,7) The whole number was divided into 24 courses, each of which would thus consist of a full band of 154 musicians, presided over by a body of 12 specially-trained leaders, under one of the twenty-four sons of Asaph, Heman or Jeduthun as conductor. The leaders appear to have played on the cymbals, perhaps to make the time. (1 Chronicles 15:19; 16:5) All these joined in a special chant which David taught them, and which went by his name. (1 Chronicles 23:5) Women also took part in the temple choir. (1 Chronicles 13:8; 25:5,6) These great choirs answered one to another in responsive singing; thus the temple music most have been grand and inspiring beyond anything known before that time.
3. Character of Hebrew music .--As in all Oriental nations, the music of the Hebrews was melody rather than harmony, which latter was then unknown. All old and young, men and maidens, singers and instruments, appear to have sung one part only in or in octaves. "The beauty of the music consisted altogether in the melody;" but this, with so many instruments and voices, was so charming that "the whole of antiquity is full of the praises of this music. By its means battles were won, cities conquered, mutinies quelled, diseases cured." --ED.)
4. Uses of music . --In the private as well as in the religions life of the Hebrews music held a prominent place. The kings had their court musicians, (2 Chronicles 35:25; Ecclesiastes 2:8) and in the luxurious times of the later monarchy the effeminate gallants of Israel amused themselves with devising musical instruments while their nation was perishing ("as Nero fiddled while Rome was burning"). But music was also the legitimate expression of mirth and gladness The bridal processions as they passed through the streets were accompanied with music and song. (Jeremiah 7:34) The music of the banquets was accompanied with song and dancing. (Luke 15:26) The triumphal processions which celebrated victory were enlivened by minstrels and singers. (Exodus 15:1,20; Judges 5:1; 11:34) There were also religious songs. (Isaiah 30:29; James 5:13) Love songs are alluded to; in (Psalms 45:1) title, and Isai 5:1 There were also the doleful songs of the funeral procession, and the wailing chant of the mourners. The grape-gatherers sang at their work, and the women sang as they toiled at the mill, and on every occasion the land of the Hebrews during their national prosperity was a land of music and melody.

Music

The ancient Hebrews had a great taste for music, which they used in their religious services, in their public and private rejoicing, at their weddings and feasts, and even in their mourning. We have in Scripture canticles of joy, of thanksgiving, of praise, of mourning; also mournful elegies or songs, as those of David on the death of Saul and Abner, and the Lamentations of Jeremiah on the destruction of Jerusalem; so, too, songs of victory, triumph, and gratulation, as that which Moses sung after passing the Red Sea, that of Deborah and Barak, and others. The people of God went up to Jerusalem thrice a year, cheered on their way with songs of joy, Psalm 84:12 Isaiah 30:29. The book of Psalms comprises a wonderful variety of inspired pieces for music, and is an inexhaustible treasure for the devout in all ages.

Music is perhaps the most ancient of the fine arts. Jubal, who lived before the deluge, was the "father" of those who played on the harp and the organ, Genesis 4:21 31:26-27. Laban complains that his sonin-law Jacob had left him, without giving him an opportunity of sending his family away "with mirth and with songs, with tabret and with harp." Moses, having passed through the Red Sea, composed a song, and sung it with the Israelitish men, while Miriam, his sister, sung it with dancing, and playing on instruments, at the head of the women, Exodus 15:20-21. He caused silver trumpets to be made to be sounded at solemn sacrifices, and on religious festivals. David, who had great skill in music, soothed the perturbed spirit of Saul by playing on the harp, 1 Samuel 16:16,23; and when he was himself established on the throne'seeing that the Levites were not employed, as formerly, in carrying the boards, veils, and vessels of the tabernacle, its abode being fixed at Jerusalem-appointed a great part of them to sing and to play on instruments in the temple, 1 Chronicles 25:1-31. David brought the ark to Jerusalem with triumphant and joyful music, 1 Chronicles 13:8 15:16-28; and in the same manner Solomon was proclaimed king, 1 Kings 1:39-40. The Old Testament prophets also sought the aid of music in their services, 1 Samuel 10:5 2 Kings 3:15.

Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun were chiefs of the music of the tabernacle under David, and of the temple under Solomon. Asaph had four sons, Jeduthun six, and Heman fourteen. These twenty-four Levites, sons of the three great masters of the temple-music, were at the head of twenty-four bands of musicians, which served in the temple by turns. Their number there was always great, but especially at the chief solemnities. They were ranged in order about the altar of burnt-sacrifices. As the whole business of their lives was to learn and to practice music, it must be supposed that they understood it well, whether it were vocal or instrumental, 2 Chronicles 29:25.

The kings also had their music. Asaph was chief master of music to David. In the temple, and in the ceremonies of religion, female musicians were admitted as well as male; they generally were daughters of the Levites. Ezra, in his enumeration of those whom he brought back with him from the captivity, reckons two hundred singing men and singing women, 2 Samuel 19:35 Ezra 2:65 Nehemiah 7:67.

As to the nature of their music, we can judge of it only by conjecture, because it has been long lost. Probably it was a unison of several voices, of which all sung together the same melody, each according to his strength and skill; without musical counterpoint, or those different parts and combinations which constitute harmony in our music. Probably, also, the voices were generally accompanied by instrumental music. If we may draw any conclusions in favor of their music from its effects, its magnificence, its majesty, and the lofty sentiments contained in their songs, we must allow it great excellence. It is supposed that the temple musicians were sometimes divided into two or more separate choirs, which, with a general chorus, sung in turn responsive to each other, each a small portion of the Psalm. The structure of the Hebrew Psalms is eminently adapted to this mode of singing, and very delightful and solemn effects might thus be produced. Compare Psalm 24:10,10,10.

Numerous musical instruments are mentioned in Scripture, but it has been found impossible to affix heir names with certainty to specific instruments now in use. By a comparison, however, of the instruments probably held in common by the Jews with the Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, a degree of probability as to most of them has been secured. They were of three kinds:

A. Stringed instruments:

1.KINNOR, "the harp," Genesis 4:21. Frequently mentioned in Scripture, and probably a kind of lyre.

2.NEBEL, "the psaltery," 1 Samuel 10:5. It appears to have been the name of various large instruments of the harp kind.

3.ASOR, signifying ten-stringed. In Psalm 92:4, it apparently denotes an instrument distinct from the NEBEL; but elsewhere it seems to be simply a description of the NEBEL as ten-stringed. See Psalm 33:2 144:9.

4. GITTITH. It occurs in the titles of Psalm 8:1 81:1:84:1. From the name, it is supposed that David brought it from Gath. Others conclude that it is a general name for a string instrument.

5. MINNIM, strings, Psalm 150:4. Probably another kind of stringed instrument.

6. SABECA, "sackbut," Daniel 3:5,7,10,15. A kind of lyre.

7. PESANTERIN, "psaltery," occurs Daniel 3:7, and is supposed to represent the NEBEL.

8. MACHALATH. Found in the titles of Psalm 53:1 88:1; supposed to be a lute or guitar.

B. Wind instruments:

9. KEREN, "horn," Joshua 6:5. Cornet.

10. SHOPHAR, "trumpet," Numbers 10:10. Used synonymously with KEREN.

11. CHATZOZERAH, the straight trumpet, Psalm 98:6.

12. JOBEL, or KEREN JOBEL, horn of jubilee, or signal trumpet, Joshua 6:4. Probably the same with 9 and 10.

13. CHAIL, "pipe" or "flute." The word means bored through, 1 Samuel 10:5.

14. MISHROKITHA, Daniel 3:5, etc. Probably the Chaldean name for the flute with two reeds.

15. UGAB, "organ" in our version Genesis 4:21. It means a double or manifold pipe, and hence the shepherd's pipe; probably the same as the syrinx or Pan's pipe; or perhaps resembling the bagpipe.

C. Instruments which gave out sound on being struck:

17. TOPH, Genesis 31:27, the tambourine and all instruments of the drum kind.

18. PHAAMON, "bells," Exodus 28:33. Attached to the hem of the high priest's garment.

19. TZELITZELIM, "cymbals," Psalm 150:5. A word frequently occurring. There were probably two kinds, hand-cymbals.

20. SHALISHIM, 1 Samuel 18:6. In our version, "instruments of music." "Three-stringed instruments." Most writers identify it with the triangle.

21. MENAANEIM, "cymbals," 2 Samuel 6:5. Probably the sistrum. The Hebrew word means to shake. The sistrum was generally about sixteen or eighteen inches long, occasionally inlaid with silver, and being held upright, was shaken, the rings moving to and fro on the bars.

Further particulars concerning some of these may be found under the names they severally bear in our English Bible.

Jubal was the inventor of musical instruments (Genesis 4:21). The Hebrews were much given to the cultivation of music. Their whole history and literature afford abundant evidence of this. After the Deluge, the first mention of music is in the account of Laban's interview with Jacob (Genesis 31:27). After their triumphal passage of the Red Sea, Moses and the children of Israel sang their song of deliverance (Exodus 15).

But the period of Samuel, David, and Solomon was the golden age of Hebrew music, as it was of Hebrew poetry. Music was now for the first time systematically cultivated. It was an essential part of training in the schools of the prophets (1 Samuel 10:5; 19:19-24; 2 Kings 3:15; 1 Chronicles 25:6). There now arose also a class of professional singers (2 Samuel 19:35; Ecclesiastes 2:8). The temple, however, was the great school of music. In the conducting of its services large bands of trained singers and players on instruments were constantly employed (2 Samuel 6:5; 1 Chronicles 15; 16; 23;5; 25:1-6).

In private life also music seems to have held an important place among the Hebrews (Ecclesiastes 2:8; Amos 6:4-6; Isaiah 5:11, 12; 24:8, 9; Psalm 137; Jeremiah 48:33; Luke 15:25).

Music, Instrumental

Among instruments of music used by the Hebrews a principal place is given to stringed instruments. These were,

(1.) The kinnor, the "harp."

(2.) The nebel, "a skin bottle," rendered "psaltery."

(3.) The sabbeka, or "sackbut," a lute or lyre.

(4.) The gittith, occurring in the title of Psalm 8; 8; 84.

(5.) Minnim (Psalm 150:4), rendered "stringed instruments;" in Psalm 45:8, in the form minni, probably the apocopated (i.e., shortened) plural, rendered, Authorized Version, "whereby," and in the Revised Version "stringed instruments."

(6.) Machalath, in the titles of Psalm 53 and 88; supposed to be a kind of lute or guitar.

Of wind instruments mention is made of,

(1.) The `ugab (Genesis 4:21; Job 21:12; 30:31), probably the so-called Pan's pipes or syrinx.

(2.) The qeren or "horn" (Joshua 6:5; 1 Chronicles 25:5).

(3.) The shophar, rendered "trumpet" (Joshua 6:4, 6, 8). The word means "bright," and may have been so called from the clear, shrill sound it emitted. It was often used (Exodus 19:13; Numbers 10:10; Judges 7:16, 18; 1 Samuel 13:3).

(4.) The hatsotserah, or straight trumpet (Psalm 98:6; Numbers 10:1-10). This name is supposed by some to be an onomatopoetic word, intended to imitate the pulse-like sound of the trumpet, like the Latin taratantara. Some have identified it with the modern trombone.

(5.) The halil, i.e, "bored through," a flute or pipe (1 Samuel 10:5; 1 Kings 1:40; Isaiah 5:12; Jeremiah 48:36) which is still used in Palestine.

(6.) The sumponyah, rendered "dulcimer" (Dan. 3:5), probably a sort of bagpipe.

(7.) The maskrokith'a (Dan. 3:5), rendered "flute," but its precise nature is unknown.

Of instruments of percussion mention is made of,

(1.) The toph, an instrument of the drum kind, rendered "timbrel" (Exodus 15:20; Job 21:12; Psalm 68:25); also "tabret" (Genesis 31:27; Isaiah 24:8; 1 Samuel 10:5).

(2.) The paamon, the "bells" on the robe of the high priest (Exodus 28:33; 39:25).

(3.) The tseltselim, "cymbals" (2 Samuel 6:5; Psalm 150:5), which are struck together and produce a loud, clanging sound. Metsilloth, "bells" on horses and camels for ornament, and metsiltayim, "cymbals" (1 Chronicles 13:8; Ezra 3:10, etc.). These words are all derived from the same root, tsalal, meaning "to tinkle."

(4.) The menaan'im, used only in 2 Samuel 6:5, rendered "cornets" (R.V., "castanets"); in the Vulgate, "sistra," an instrument of agitation.

(5.) The shalishim, mentioned only in 1 Samuel 18:6, rendered "instruments of music" (marg. of R.V., "triangles or three-stringed instruments").

The words in Ecclesiastes 2:8, "musical instruments, and that of all sorts," Authorized Version, are in the Revised Version "concubines very many."

1. (n.) The science and the art of tones, or musical sounds, i. e., sounds of higher or lower pitch, begotten of uniform and synchronous vibrations, as of a string at various degrees of tension; the science of harmonic tones which treats of the principles of harmony, or the properties, dependences, and relations of tones to each other; the art of combining tones in a manner to please the ear.

2. (n.) Melody; a rhythmical and otherwise agreeable succession of tones.

3. (n.) Harmony; an accordant combination of simultaneous tones.

4. (n.) The written and printed notation of a musical composition; the score.

5. (n.) Love of music; capacity of enjoying music.

6. (n.) A more or less musical sound made by many of the lower animals. See Stridulation.

INSTRUMENTS OF MUSIC

(shalishim): Thus, the Revised Version (British and American) and the King James Version (1 Samuel 18:6), the Revised Version margin "triangles" or "three-stringed instruments."

See MUSIC.

MUSIC

mu'-zik:

I. IMPORTANCE

1. The Sole Art Cultivated

2. A Wide Vocabulary of Musical Terms

3. Place in Social and Personal Life

4. Universal Language of Emotions

5. Use in Divine Service

6. Part at Religious Reformations

II. THEORY OF MUSIC

1. Dearth of Technical Information

2. Not Necessarily Unimpressive

III. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

1. Strings

2. Winds

3. Percussion Instruments

LITERATURE

I. Importance.

That the Hebrews were in ancient times, as they are at the present day, devoted to the study and practice of music is obvious to every reader of the Old Testament. The references to it are numerous, and are frequently of such a nature as to emphasize its importance. They occur not only in the Psalter, where we might expect them, but in the Historical Books and the Prophets, in narratives and in declamations of the loftiest meaning and most intense seriousness. And the conclusion drawn from a cursory glance is confirmed by a closer study.

1. The Sole Art Cultivated:

The place held by music in the Old Testament is unique. Besides poetry, it is the only art that Art seems to have been cultivated to any extent in ancient Israel. Painting is entirely, sculpture almost entirely, ignored. This may have been due to the prohibition contained in the Second Commandment, but the fidelity with which that was obeyed is remarkable.

2. A Wide Vocabulary of Musical Terms:

From the traces of it extant in the Old Testament, we can infer that the vocabulary of musical terms was far from scanty. This is all the more significant when we consider the condensed and pregnant nature of Hebrew. "Song" in our English Versions of the Bible represents at least half a dozen words in the original.

3. Place in Social and Personal Life:

The events, occasions, and occupations with which music was associated were extremely varied. It accompanied leave-taking with honored guests (Genesis 31:27); celebrated a signal triumph over the nation's enemies (Exodus 15:20); and welcomed conquerors returning from victory (Judges 11:34 1 Samuel 18:6). It was employed to exorcise an evil spirit (1 Samuel 18:10), and to soothe temper, or excite the inspiration, of a prophet (2 Kings 3:15). The words "Destroy not" in the titles of four of the Psalms (compare Isaiah 65:8) most probably are the beginning of a vintage-song, and the markedly rhythmical character of Hebrew music would indicate that it accompanied and lightened many kinds of work requiring combined and uniform exertion. Processions, as e.g. marriages (1 Maccabees 9:39) and funerals (2 Chronicles 35:25), were regulated in a similar way. The Psalms headed "Songs of Degrees" were probably the sacred marches sung by the pious as they journeyed to and from the holy festivals at Jerusalem.

4. Universal Language of Emotional:

It follows from this that the range of emotion expressed by Hebrew music was anything but limited. In addition to the passages just quoted, we may mention the jeering songs leveled at Job (Job 30:9). But the music that could be used to interpret or accompany the Psalms with any degree of fitness must have been capable of expressing a great variety of moods and feelings. Not only the broadly marked antitheses of joy and sorrow, hope and fear, faith and doubt, but every shade and quality of sentiment are found there. It is hardly possible to suppose that the people who originated all that wealth of emotional utterance should have been without a corresponding ability to invent diversified melodies, or should have been content with the bald and colorless recitative usually attributed to them.

This internal evidence is confirmed by other testimony. The Babylonian tyrants demanded one of the famous songs of Zion from their Jewish captives (Psalm 137:3), and among the presents sent by Hezekiah to Sennacherib there were included male and female musicians. In later times Latin writers attest the influence of the East in matters musical. We need only refer to Juvenal iii.62;.

5. Use in Divine Service:

By far the most important evidence of the value attached to music by the Hebrews is afforded by the place given to it in Divine service. It is true that nothing is said of it in the Pentateuch in connection with the consecration of the tabernacle, or the institution of the various sacrifices or festivals. But this omission proves nothing. It is not perhaps atoned for by the tradition (The Wisdom of Solomon 18:9) that at the first paschal celebration "the fathers already led the sacred songs of praise," but the rest of the history makes ample amends. In later days, at all events, music formed an essential part of the national worship of Yahweh, and elaborate arrangements were made for its correct and impressive performance. These are detailed in 1 Chronicles. There we are told that the whole body of the temple chorus and orchestra numbered 4,000; that they were trained and conducted, in 24 divisions, by the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun; and that in each group experts and novices were combined, so that the former preserved the correct tradition, and the latter were trained and fitted to take their place. This is, no doubt, a description of the arrangements that were carried out in the Second Temple, but it sheds a reflex, if somewhat uncertain, light on those adopted in the First.

6. Part at Religious Reformations:

We are told by the same authority that every reformation of religion brought with it a reconstruction of the temple chorus and orchestra, and a resumption of their duties. Thus when Hezekiah purged the state and church of the heathenism patronized by Ahaz, "he set the Levites in the house of Yahweh with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps" (2 Chronicles 29:25). The same thing took place under Josiah (2 Chronicles 34). After the restoration-at the dedication of the Temple (Ezra 3:10) and of the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 12:17)-music played a great part. In Nehemiah's time the descendants of the ancient choral guilds drew together, and their maintenance was secured to them out of the public funds in return for their services.

II. Theory of Music.

1. Dearth of Technical Information:

It is disappointing after all this to have to confess that of the nature of Hebrew music we have no real knowledge. If any system of notation ever existed, it has been entirely lost. Attempts have been made to derive one from the accents, and a German organist once wrote a book on the subject. One tune in our hymnals has been borrowed from that source, but it is an accident, if not worse, and the ingenuity of the German organist was quite misdirected. We know nothing of the scales, or tonal system of the Hebrew, of their intervals or of their method of tuning their instruments. Two terms are supposed by some to refer to pitch, namely, "upon," or "set to `Alamoth," (Psalm 46), and "upon," or "set to the Sheminith" (Pss 6; 12; compare also 1 Chronicles 15:19-21). The former has been taken to mean "in the manner of maidens," i.e. soprano; the latter "on the lower octave," i.e. tenor or bass. This is plausible, but it is far from convincing. It is hardly probable that the Hebrews had anticipated our modern division of the scale; and the word sheminith or "eighth" may refer to the number of the mode, while `alamoth is also translated "with Elamite instruments" (Wellhausen). Of one feature of Hebrew music we may be tolerably sure: it was rendered in unison. It was destitute of harmony or counterpoint. For its effect it would depend on contrast in quality of tone, on the participation of a larger or smaller number of singers, on antiphonal singing, so clearly indicated in many of the Psalms, and on the coloring imparted by the orchestra. That the latter occasionally played short passages alone has been inferred from the term celah, a word that occurs 71 times in the Psalms. It is rendered in the Septuagint by diapsalmos, which either means louder playing, forte, or, more probably, an instrumental interlude.

2. Not Necessarily Unimpressive:

Our knowledge is, therefore, very meager and largely negative. We need not, however, suppose that Hebrew music was necessarily monotonous and unimpressive, or, to those who heard it, harsh and barbarous. Music, more than any other of the arts, is justified of her own children, and a generation that has slowly learned to enjoy Wagner and Strauss should not rashly condemn the music of the East. No doubt the strains that emanated from the orchestra and chorus of the temple stimulated the religious fervor, and satisfied the aesthetic principles of the Hebrews of old, precisely as the rendering of Bach and Handel excites and soothes the Christian of today.

III. Musical Instruments.

The musical instruments employed by the Hebrews included representatives of the three groups: string, wind, and percussion. The strings comprised the kinnor, or nebhel or nebhel; the winds: the shophar, or qeren, chatsotserah, chalil, and `ughabh; percussion: toph, metsiltayim, tsltselim, mena`an`im, shalishim. Besides these, we have in Daniel: mashroqitha', cabbekha', pecanterin, cumponyah. Further, there are Chaldean forms of qeren and kithara.

1. Strings:

(1) When Used.

The chief of these instruments were the kinnor and nebhel (the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American) "the harp" and "the psaltery" or "viol"). They were used to accompany vocal music. In 1 Samuel 10:5, Saul meets a band of prophets singing inspired strains to the music of the nebhel, "drum," "flute," and kinnor. In the description of the removal of the ark, we are told that songs were sung with kinnoroth, nebhalim, etc. (2 Samuel 6:5). Again, in various passages (1 Chronicles 15:16 2 Chronicles 7:6, etc.) we meet with the expression keleshir, i.e. instruments of, or suitable for accompanying, song. It is evident that only the flute and strings could render melodies. The music performed on these instruments seems to have been mainly of a joyful nature. It entered into all public and domestic festivities. In Psalm 81:2, the kinnor is called "pleasant," and Isaiah 24:8 speaks of the "joy" of the kinnor. Very striking is the invocation Psalm 108:2: the poet in a moment of exhilarations calls upon the two kele shir to echo and share his enthusiasm for Yahweh. Only once (Isaiah 16:11) is the kinnor associated with mourning, and Cheyne infers from this passage "the kinnor was used at mourning ceremonies." But the inference is doubtful; the prophet is merely drawing a comparison between the trembling of the strings of the lyre and the agitation in his own bosom. Again, the Babylonian captives hang their kinnoroth on the willows in their dejection (Psalm 137:2), and the prophets (Isaiah 24:8 Ezekiel 26:13) threaten that as a punishment for sin the sound of the kinnor will cease.

(2) Materials.

We have no exact information as to the materials of which these instruments were made. In 2 Samuel 6:5 the King James Version, mention is made of "instruments made of fir wood" (the English Revised Version "cypress"), but the text is probably corrupt, and the reading in 1 Chronicles 13:8 is preferable. According to 1 Kings 10:11, Hiram's fleet brought from Ophir quantities of 'almugh (2 Chronicles 2:8; 2 Chronicles 9:10, 'algum) wood, from which, among other things, the kinnor and nebhel were made. Probably this was red sandal-wood. Josephus (Ant., VIII, iii) includes among articles made by Solomon for the temple nebhalim and kinnoroth of electrum. Whether we understand this to have been the mixed metal so named or amber, the frame of the instrument could not have been constructed of it. It may have been used for ornamentation.

We have no trace of metal strings being used by the ancients. The strings of the Hebrew (minnim) may have consisted of gut. We read of sheep-gut being employed for the purpose in the Odyssey, xxi. 407. Vegetable fiber was also spun into strings. We need only add that bowed instruments were quite unknown; the strings were plucked with the fingers, or struck with a plectrum.

(a) The Kinnor:

The Old Testament gives us no clue to the form or nature of the kinnor, except that it was portable, comparatively light, and could be played while it was carried in processions or dances. The earliest authority to which we can refer on the subject is the Septuagint. While in some of the books kinnor is rendered by kinnura, or kinura-evidently a transliteration-in others it is translated by kithara. We cannot discuss here the question of the trustworthiness of the Septuagint as an authority for Hebrew antiquities, but considering the conservatism of the East, especially in matters of ritual, it seems at least hasty to say offhand, as Wellhausen does, that by the date of its production the whole tradition of ancient music had been lost. The translation, at all events, supplies us with an instrument of which the Hebrews could hardly have been ignorant. The kithara, which in its general outlines resembled the lyre, consisted of a rectilinear-shaped sound box from which rose two arms, connected above by a crossbar; the strings ran down from the latter to the sound-box, to which, or to a bridge on which, they were attached.

The most ancient copy of a kithara in Egypt was found in a grave of the XIIth Dynasty. It is carried by one of a company of immigrant captive Semites, who holds it close to his breast, striking the strings with a plectrum held in his right hand, and plucking them with the fingers of the left. The instrument is very primitive; it resembles a schoolboy's slate with the upper three-fourths of the slate broken out of the frame; but it nevertheless possesses the distinctive characteristics of the kithara. In a grave at Thebes of a somewhat later date, three players are depicted, one of whom plays a kithara, also primitive in form, but with slenderer arms. Gradually, as time advanced, the simple board-like frame assumed a shape more like that afterward elaborated by the Greeks. Numerous examples have been found in Asia Minor, but further developed, especially as regards the sound-box. It may be noted that, in the Assyrian monuments, the kithara is played along with the harp, as the kinnor was with the nebhel.

The evidence furnished by Jewish coins must not be overlooked. Those stamped with representations of lyre-shaped instruments have been assigned to 142-135 B.C., or to 66-70 A.D. On one side we have a kithara-like instrument of 3 or more strings, with a sound-box resembling a kettle. It is true that these coins are of a late date, and the form of the instruments shown on them has obviously been modified by Greek taste, but so conservative a people as the Jews would hardly be likely to adopt an essentially foreign object for their coinage.

One objection raised by Wellhausen to the identification of the kithara with the kinnor may be noted. Josephus undoubtedly says (Ant., VII, xii) that the kinnura was played with a plectrum, and in 1 Samuel 16:23 David plays the kinnor "with his hand." But even if this excludes the use of the plectrum in the particular case, it need not be held to disprove the identity of kinnor and kinnura. Both methods may have been in use. In paintings discovered at Herculaneum there are several instances of the lyre being played with the hand; and there is no reason for supposing that the Hebrews were restricted to one method of showing their skill, when we know that Greeks and Latins were not.

Since the ancient VSS, then, render kinnor by kithara, and the kithara, though subsequently developed and beautified by the Greeks, was originally a Semitic instrument, it is exceedingly probable, as Riehm says, "that we have to regard the ancient Hebrew kinnor, which is designated a kithara, as a still simpler form of the latter instrument. The stringed instruments on the Jewish coins are later, beautified forms of the kinnor, intermediate stage Egyptian modifications represent the intermediate stage."

(b) The Nebhel:

The nebhel has been identified with many instruments. The literal meaning of the word, "wine-skin," has suggested that it was the bagpipe! Others have thought that it was the lute, and this is supported by reference to the Egyptian nfr, which denotes a lute-like instrument frequently depicted on the monuments. The derivation of "nbl" from "nfr" is, however, now abandoned; and no long-necked instrument has been found depicted in the possession of a Semite. The kissar was favored by Pfeiffer. Its resonance-box is made of wood, and, the upper side, being covered tightly by a skin, closely resembles a drum. From this rise two arms, connected toward the top by a crossbar; and to the latter the strings are attached. The kissar has, however, only 5 strings, as opposed to 12 ascribed by Josephus to the nebhel, and the soundbox, instead of being above, as stated by the Fathers, is situated below the strings.

The supposition that the nebhel was a dulcimer is not without some justification. The dulcimer was well known in the East. An extremely interesting and important bas-relief in the palace at Kouyunjik represents a company of 28 musicians, of whom 11 are instrumentalists and 15 singers. The procession is headed by 5 men, 3 carrying harps, one a double flute, and one a dulcimer. Two of the harpists and the dulcimer-player appear to be dancing or skipping. Then follow 6 women; 4 have harps, one a double flute, and one a small drum which is fixed upright at the belt, and is played with the fingers of both hands. Besides the players, we see 15 singers, 9 being children, who clap their hands to mark the rhythm. One of the women is holding her throat, perhaps to produce the shrill vibrate affected by Persian and Arabian women at the present day. The dulcimer in this picture has been regarded by several Orientalists as the nebhel. Wettstein, e.g., says "This instrument can fairly be so designated, if the statement of so many witnesses is correct, that nablium and psalterium are one and the same thing. For the latter corresponds to the Arabic santir, which is derived from the Hebrew pecanterin, a transliteration of the Greek psalterion." And the santir is a kind of dulcimer.

This is not conclusive. The word psalterion was not always restricted to a particular instrument, but sometimes embraced a whole class of stringed instruments. Ovid also regarded the nabla as a harp, not a dulcimer, when he said (Ars Am. iii.329): "Learn to sweep the pleasant nabla with both hands." And, lastly, Josephus tells us (Ant., VII, xii) that the nebhel was played without a plectrum. The translation of nebhel by psalterion does not, therefore, shut us up to the conclusion that it was a dulcimer; on the contrary, it rather leads to the belief that it was a harp.

Harps of various sizes are very numerous on the Egyptian monuments. There is the large and elaborate kind with a well-developed sound-box, that served also as a pediment, at its base. This could not be the nebhel, which, as we have seen, was early portable. Then we have a variety of smear instruments that, while light and easily carried, would scarcely have been sonorous enough for the work assigned to the nebhel in the temple services. Berries, the more we learn of the relations of Egypt and Israel, the more dearly do we perceive how little the latter was influenced by the former. But the evidence of the Fathers, which need not be disregarded in a matter of this kind, is decisive against Egyptian harps of every shape and size. These have without exception the sound-box at the base, and Augustine (on Psalm 42) says expressly that the psalterium had its sound-box above. This is confirmed by statements of Jerome, Isidore, and others, who contrast two classes of instruments according to the position above or below of the sound-box, Jerome, further, likens the nebhel to the captial Greek letter delta.

All the evidence points to the nebhel having been the Assyrian harp, of which we have numerous examples in the ruins. We have already referred at length to the bas-relief at Kouyunjik in which it is played by 3 men and 4 women. It is portable, triangular, or, roughly, delta-shaped; it has a sound-box above that slants upward away from the player, and a horizontal bar to which the strings are attached about three-fourths of their length down. The number of the strings on the Assyrian harp ranges from 16 upward, but there may quite well have been fewer in some cases.

(c) Nebhel `asor:

In Psalm 33:2; Psalm 144:9, "the psaltery of ten strings" is given as the rendering of nebhel 'asor; while in Psalm 91:3 'asor is translated "instrument of ten strings." No doubt, as we have just said above, there were harps of less and greater compass-the mention of the number of strings in two or three instances does not necessarily imply different kinds of harps.

(d) Gittith:

The word gittith is found in the titles of Psalm 8; Psalm 81; Psalm 81 84. It is a feminine adjective derived from Gath, but its meaning is quite uncertain. It has been explained to denote (i) some Gittite instrument; the Targum, on Psalm 8, gives "on the kithara which was brought from Gath"; or (ii) a melody or march popular in Gath. The Septuagint renders "concerning the vintage," and may have regarded these psalms as having been sung to a popular melody. Seeabove.

(e) The Shalishim:

Shalishim occurs in 1 Samuel 18:6, where it is rendered "instruments of music," the Revised Version margin "triangles, or three stringed instruments." The word seems from the context to represent a musical instrument of some sort, but which is very uncertain. Etymology points to a term involving the number three. The small triangular harp, or trigon, has been suggested, but it would hardly have made its presence felt among a number of drums or tambourines. If the shalishim was a harp, it might very well be the nebhel, which was also triangular. There is no evidence that the triangle was used by Semitic people, or we might have taken it to be the instrument referred to. If it was a percussion instrument, it might possibly be a three-ringed or three-stringed sistrum.

(f) The Cabbekha':

Among the instruments mentioned in Daniel 3:5, 7, 10 occurs the cabbekha' translated in the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American) "sackbut," i.e. a trombone, why, it is impossible to say. The Septuagint renders the word by sambuke, and this is an instrument frequently mentioned by Greek and Latin writers. Though it is nowhere described, it was no doubt a harp, probably of high pitch. It was a favorite of dissolute women, and we frequently see in their hands in mural pictures a small triangular harp, possibly of a higher range than the trigon.

(g) Neghinoth:

The word neghinoth occurs in the title of 6 psalms, and in the singular in two others; it is also found elsewhere in the Old Testament. Derived from naghan, "to touch," especially to play on a stringed instrument (compare Psalm 68:25, where the players, noghenim, are contrasted with the singers, harim), it evidently means stringed instruments in general.

2. Winds:

(1) The `Ughabh.

The first mention of a wind instrument occurs in Genesis 4:21, where we are told that Jubal was the "father of all such as handle the harp and pipe." The Hebrew word here translated "pipe" is `ughabh. It occurs in 3 other places: Job 21:12; Job 30:31 Psalm 150:4. In the Hebrew version of Daniel 3:5 it is given as the rendering of sumponyah, i.e. "bagpipe." Jerome translations by organon. The `ughabh was probably a primitive shepherd's pipe or panpipe, though some take it as a general term for instruments of the flute kind, a meaning that suits all the passages cited.

(2) The Chalil.

The chalil is first mentioned in 1 Samuel 10:5, where it is played by members of the band of prophets. It was used (1 Kings 1:40) at Solomon's accession to the throne; its strains added to the exhilaration of convivial parties (Isaiah 5:12), accompanied worshippers on their joyous march the sanctuary (Isaiah 30:29), or, in turn, echoed the feelings of mourners (Jeremiah 48:36). In 1 Maccabees 3:45, one of the features of the desolation of the temple consisted in the cessation of the sound of the pipe. From this we see that Ewald's assertion that the flute took no part in the music of the temple is incorrect, at least for the Second the Temple.

As we should expect from the simplicity of its construction, and the commonness of its material, the flute or pipe was the most ancient and most widely popular of all musical instruments.

Reeds, cane, bone, afterward ivory, were the materials; it was the easiest thing in the world to drill out the center, to pierce a few holes in the rind or bark, and, for the mouthpiece, to compress the tube at one end. The simple rustic pattern was soon improved upon. Of course, nothing like the modern flute with its complicated mechanism was ever achieved, but, especially on the Egyptian monuments, a variety of patterns is found. There we see the obliquely held flute, evidently played, like the Arabic nay, by blowing through a very slight paring of the lips against the edge of the orifice of the tube. Besides this, there are double flutes, which, though apparently an advance on the single flute, are very ancient. These double flutes are either of equal or unequal length, and are connected near the mouth by a piece of leather, or enter the frame of the mouthpiece.

Though the flutes of the East and West resembled each other more closely than the strings, it is to the Assyrian monuments that we must turn for the prototypes of the chalil. The Greeks, as their myths show, regarded Asia Minor as the birthplace of the flute, and no doubt the Hebrews brought it with them from their Assyrian home. In the Kouyunjik bas-relief we see players performing on the double flute. It is apparently furnished with a beaked mouthpiece; like that of the clarinet or flageolet. We cannot determine whether the Israelites used the flute with a mouthpiece, or one like the nay; and it is futile to guess. It is enough to say that they had opportunities of becoming acquainted with both kinds, and may have adopted both.

(3) Nechiloth.

Nechiloth occurs only in the title of Psalm 5. The context suggests that it is a musical term, and we explain neginoth as a general term for strings, this word may comprehend the wood-winds. the Revised Version margin renders "wind instruments."

(4) Neqebh.

In Ezekiel 28:13 the King James Version, the Revised Version (British and American), neqabhim is rendered pipes. This translation is supported by Fetis: the double flute; Ambros: large flutes; and by Jahn: the nay or Arab flute. It is now, however abandoned, and Jerome's explanation that neqebh means the "setting" of precious stones is generally adopted.

(5) The Mashroqitha'.

Mashroqitha', found in Daniel 3:5, etc., is also referred to the wood-winds. The word is derived from sharaq, "to hiss" (compare Isaiah 5:26, where God hisses to summon the Gentiles). The Septuagint translates surigx or panpipes, and this is most probably the meaning.

(6) The Cumponyah.

Cumponyah (in Chaldaic sumponia) is another name for a musical instrument found in Daniel 3:5, etc. It is generally supposed to have been the bagpipe, an instrument that at one time was exceedingly popular, even among highly civilized peoples. Nero is said to have been desirous of renown as a piper.

(7) The Shophar Qeren.

The shophar was a trumpet, curved at the end like a horn (qeren), and no doubt originally was a horn. The two words shophar and qeren are used synonymously in Joshua 6:4, 5, where we read shophar ha-yobhelim and qeren ha-yobhel. With regard to the meaning of hayobhel, there is some difference of opinion. The Revised Version (British and American) renders in text "ram's horn," in the margin "jubilee." The former depends on a statement in the Talmud that yobhel is Arabic for "ram's horn," but no trace of such a word has been found in Arabic. A suggestion of Pfeiffer's that yobhel does not designate the instrument, but the manner of blowing, is advocated by J. Weiss. It gives a good sense in the passages in which yobhel occurs in connection with shophar or qeren. Thus in Joshua 6:5, we would translate, "when the priests blow triumph on the horn."

The shophar was used in early times chiefly, perhaps exclusively, for warlike purposes. It gave the signal "to arms" (Judges 6:34 1 Samuel 13:3 2 Samuel 20:1); warned of the approach of the enemy (Amos 3:6 Ezekiel 33:6 Jeremiah 4:5; Jeremiah 6:1); was heard throughout a battle (Amos 2:2, etc.); and sounded the recall (2 Samuel 2:28). Afterward it played an important part in connection with religion.

Read Complete Article...

4858. sumphonia -- symphony, ie music
... symphony, ie music. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: sumphonia Phonetic
Spelling: (soom-fo-nee'-ah) Short Definition: harmony of instruments ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4858.htm - 6k

3451. mousikos -- skilled in the arts (esp. music)
... music). Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: mousikos Phonetic Spelling:
(moo-sik-os') Short Definition: skilled in music, a musician Definition: skilled ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3451.htm - 6k

5568. psalmos -- a striking (of musical strings), a psalm
... 5568 -- a ("Scripture set to music"). Originally, (5568 ) was sung and accompanied
by a plucked musical instrument (typically a harp), especially the OT . ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5568.htm - 7k

5567. psallo -- to pull, twitch, twang, play, sing
... to rub or touch the surface; compare psocho); to twitch or twang, ie To play on
a stringed instrument (celebrate the divine worship with music and accompanying ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5567.htm - 7k

5058. neginah -- music
... music. Transliteration: neginah or neginath Phonetic Spelling: (neg-ee-naw') Short
Definition: song. ... stringed instrument, music, Neginoth plural, song. ...
/hebrew/5058.htm - 6k

2170. zemar -- music
... 2169, 2170. zemar. 2171 . music. Transliteration: zemar Phonetic Spelling:
(zem-awr') Short Definition: music. Word Origin (Aramaic ...
/hebrew/2170.htm - 6k

1998. hemyah -- a sound, music
... 1997, 1998. hemyah. 1999 . a sound, music. Transliteration: hemyah Phonetic
Spelling: (hem-yaw') Short Definition: music. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/1998.htm - 6k

2167. zamar -- to make music (in praise of God)
... 2166, 2167. zamar. 2168 . to make music (in praise of God). Transliteration:
zamar Phonetic Spelling: (zaw-mar') Short Definition: praises. Word Origin a prim ...
/hebrew/2167.htm - 6k

1902. higgayon -- resounding music, meditation, musing
... 1901, 1902. higgayon. 1903 . resounding music, meditation, musing. Transliteration:
higgayon Phonetic Spelling: (hig-gaw-yone') Short Definition: Higgaion. ...
/hebrew/1902.htm - 6k

1761. dachavah -- perhaps a musical instrument
... dachavah. 1761a . perhaps a musical instrument. Transliteration: dachavah Phonetic
Spelling: (dakh-av-aw') Short Definition: music. instrument of music ...
/hebrew/1761.htm - 5k

4485. manginah -- (mocking, derisive) song
... Word Origin from nagan Definition (mocking, derisive) song NASB Word Usage mocking
song (1). music. From nagan; a satire -- music. see HEBREW nagan. ...
/hebrew/4485.htm - 6k

2176. zimrath -- song
... Word Origin the same as zimrah, qv NASB Word Usage song (1). song. From zamar;
instrumental music; by implication, praise -- song. see HEBREW zamar. ...
/hebrew/2176.htm - 6k

7991. shaliysh -- a third (part)
... captain, instrument of music, great lord, great measure, prince, three Or shalowsh
(1 Chron. 11:11; 12:18) {shaw- loshe'}; or shalosh (2 Sam. ...
/hebrew/7991.htm - 6k

7892a. shir -- song
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition song NASB Word Usage music (3), musical
(3), sing (1), singers (1), singing (2), Song (1), song (20), Songs (1 ...
/hebrew/7892a.htm - 5k

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... Music. December 7. There is music in heaven, because in music there
is no self-will. Music goes on certain laws and rules. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/daily thoughts /music december 7.htm

The Music of God in the Voice of Jesus.
... The Winsome Jesus The Music of God in the Voice of Jesus. The face of that face
was the eye. ... The voice of Jesus must have been music itself. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the music of god in.htm

The Everlasting Music. June 3.
... The Everlasting Music. June 3. All melody and all harmony upon earth, whether
in the song of birds, the whisper of the wind, the ...
/.../kingsley/daily thoughts /the everlasting music june 3.htm

Music (Christmas Day. )
... SERMON XVII. MUSIC (Christmas Day.). ... Music."There is something very wonderful in
music. Words are wonderful enough: but music is even more wonderful. ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xvii music christmas day.htm

At a Solemn Music
... The Treasury of Sacred Song. Book First LXXXIV AT A SOLEMN MUSIC. Blest pair of
Sirens, pledges of Heaven's joy, ... Broke the fair music that all creatures made. ...
/.../palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/lxxxiv at a solemn music.htm

Like Music at the Stilly Hour,
... ASPIRATIONS Like music at the stilly hour,. tr., John Brownlie 8,8,8,8. I. Like
music at the stilly hour,. When twilight veils the light of day,. ...
/.../brownlie/hymns from the morningland/like music at the stilly.htm

Holy Saturday Music
... No. 194 HOLY SATURDAY MUSIC. HOLY SATURDAY MUSIC After the blessing of the Font
the following order is observed: (A) The Litany of the Saints is sung. ...
/.../the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 194 holy saturday music.htm

Ceremony Music Etc.
... No. 218 CEREMONY MUSIC ETC. CEREMONY MUSIC ETC. Suscipe Domine. (St. Ignatius)
for two part chorus Nicola A. Montani. Lento. Suscipe ...
/.../the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 218 ceremony music etc.htm

Ceremony Music Etc.
... No. 222 CEREMONY MUSIC ETC. CEREMONY MUSIC ETC. Quae est ista. Two part or unison
chorus Traditional Italian Chorale Arr. by NA Montani. Moderato. ...
/.../the st gregory hymnal and catholic choir book/no 222 ceremony music etc.htm

Ceremony Music Etc.
... No. 219 CEREMONY MUSIC ETC. CEREMONY MUSIC ETC. Conserva me Domine Psalm 15.
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Music (143 Occurrences)
... 21). The Hebrews were much given to the cultivation of music. ... poetry. Music
was now for the first time systematically cultivated. ...
/m/music.htm - 78k

Music-makers (18 Occurrences)
Music-makers. Music-maker, Music-makers. Music-pipe . Multi-Version
Concordance Music-makers (18 Occurrences). 1 Chronicles 15:16 ...
/m/music-makers.htm - 12k

Music-maker (55 Occurrences)
Music-maker. Musick, Music-maker. Music-makers . Multi-Version
Concordance Music-maker (55 Occurrences). Psalms 4:1 ...
/m/music-maker.htm - 23k

Music-pipe (1 Occurrence)
Music-pipe. Music-makers, Music-pipe. Musing . Multi-Version
Concordance Music-pipe (1 Occurrence). 1 Corinthians 14 ...
/m/music-pipe.htm - 6k

Music-instruments (1 Occurrence)
Music-instruments. Musicians, Music-instruments. Musicion .
Multi-Version Concordance Music-instruments (1 Occurrence). ...
/m/music-instruments.htm - 6k

String-music (8 Occurrences)
String-music. Stringed, String-music. Strings . Multi-Version
Concordance String-music (8 Occurrences). Psalms 4:1 Answer ...
/s/string-music.htm - 8k

Musical (14 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Of or pertaining to music; having the qualities Of music; or the power Of
producing music; devoted to music; melodious; harmonious; as, musical ...
/m/musical.htm - 12k

Corded (37 Occurrences)
... go in search of a man who is an expert player on a corded instrument: and it will
be that when the evil spirit from God is on you, he will make music for you ...
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Door-keepers (34 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:24 And Shebaniah and Joshaphat and Nethanel and Amasai and Zechariah
and Benaiah and Eliezer, the priests, made music on the horns before the ...
/d/door-keepers.htm - 17k

Pipe (13 Occurrences)
... In Amos 6:5 this word is rendered "instrument of music." This instrument is mentioned
also in the New Testament (Matthew 11:17; 1 Corinthians 14:7). It is ...
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