The term "tabret" refers to a small percussion instrument similar to a tambourine, often used in ancient Israelite culture for musical and celebratory purposes. The tabret is mentioned several times in the Bible, highlighting its role in worship, celebration, and even lamentation.

Biblical References:

1. Genesis 31:27 · In this passage, Laban confronts Jacob for leaving secretly with his daughters and grandchildren. Laban expresses his disappointment by saying, "Why did you flee secretly and deceive me, and not tell me, so that I could send you away with joy and singing, with tambourines and harps?" . Here, the tabret is associated with joy and festivity, indicating its use in family celebrations and farewells.

2. 1 Samuel 10:5 · The prophet Samuel instructs Saul, saying, "After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there is a Philistine outpost. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with lyres, tambourines, flutes, and harps being played before them, and they will be prophesying" . This verse illustrates the tabret's role in religious and prophetic contexts, accompanying the prophets in their spiritual activities.

3. Job 21:12 · In his discourse on the prosperity of the wicked, Job describes their lifestyle: "They sing to the tambourine and harp and rejoice at the sound of the flute" . The tabret here is part of the imagery of merriment and worldly enjoyment, contrasting with Job's own suffering.

4. Isaiah 5:12 · The prophet Isaiah warns of the consequences of indulgence and neglect of the Lord's work: "They have harps and lyres at their banquets, tambourines and flutes, but they do not regard the deeds of the LORD or consider the work of His hands" . The tabret is depicted as an instrument of revelry, used in feasting and entertainment, yet criticized when it distracts from spiritual responsibilities.

5. Jeremiah 31:4 · In a message of hope and restoration, the Lord promises Israel, "Again I will build you, and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel. Again you will take up your tambourines and go out in joyful dancing" . This verse portrays the tabret as a symbol of renewal and joy, signifying the restoration of Israel's fortunes and their return to a state of celebration.

Cultural and Religious Significance:

The tabret was an integral part of ancient Israelite music and culture. It was commonly used by women, as seen in the account of Miriam leading the women of Israel with tambourines and dancing after the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20). The instrument's portability and rhythmic sound made it suitable for both personal and communal expressions of joy, worship, and even mourning.

In religious ceremonies, the tabret was often used alongside other instruments like the harp and lyre, contributing to the rich musical tradition of the Israelites. Its presence in both sacred and secular contexts underscores its versatility and importance in the daily life and spiritual practices of the people.

The tabret's role in biblical narratives and its symbolic associations with joy, celebration, and sometimes excess, reflect the broader themes of worship, community, and the human experience as depicted in the Scriptures.(Hebrews toph), a timbrel (q.v.) or tambourine, generally played by women (Genesis 31:27; 1 Samuel 10:5; 18:6). In Job 17:6 the word (Hebrews topheth) "tabret" should be, as in the Revised Version, "an open abhorring" (marg., "one in whose face they spit;" lit., "a spitting in the face"). (n.) A taboret.TABRET; TIMBREL

tab'-ret, tim'-brel.

See MUSIC, III, 3, (1).

8611. topheth -- (act of) spitting
... tabret. From the base of taphaph; a smiting, ie (figuratively) contempt -- tabret.
see HEBREW taphaph. 8610, 8611. topheth. 8612 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8611.htm - 6k

8596. toph -- a timbrel, tambourine
... tabret, timbrel. From taphaph contracted; a tambourine -- tabret, timbrel. see
HEBREW taphaph. 8595, 8596. toph. 8597 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/8596.htm - 6k

Psalm LXXXI.
... 4. "Take the Psalm and give the tabret" (ver.2). Both "take," and "give." What is,
"take"? ... The Psalm, therefore, is spiritual, the tabret, carnal. ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxxi.htm

The Minstrel
... prophet who had found music helpful, for we read, "Thou shalt meet a company of
prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/the minstrel.htm

For the King There were Three Great Perils: the People...
... in attendance. Salome was dancing, tabret in hand, her form showing through
a robe of transparent silk as the two entered. Once ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 16 for the king.htm

A Prophet's Woes
... And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts:
but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/a prophets woes.htm

While Vergilius, Going Slowly, was Thinking of These Things...
... bells. Now, on the floor near them was a golden square of sunlight, and,
tabret in hand, she sprang up and began to dance in it. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bacheller/vergilius/chapter 7 while vergilius going.htm

The Call of Abraham
... I know not that he was sent away with the voice of tabret and of harp,
but I am sure there was the voice of music in his heart. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the call of abraham.htm

The Christian's Heaviness and Rejoicing
... seems to sap the springs of life, to drain the heart of all its spirits, and to
leave us without soul or strength for mirth, so that the noise of tabret and of ...
/.../spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the christians heaviness and rejoicing.htm

The Good Man's Life and Death
... have lost motion, and thy heart hath lost its joy, and they that look out of the
windows are darkened, the grinders have failed, and no sounds of tabret and of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/the good mans life and.htm

The Sympathy of the Two Worlds
... been saved themselves from bondage, when they see others coming who have so lately
worn the chains, are so glad that they can well take the tabret, and the harp ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the sympathy of the two.htm

The Holy War,
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy war.htm

Tabret (3 Occurrences)
... toph), a timbrel (qv) or tambourine, generally played by women (Genesis 31:27; 1
Samuel 10:5; 18:6). In Job 17:6 the word (Hebrews topheth) "tabret" should be ...
/t/tabret.htm - 8k

Timbrel (7 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews toph), a small drum or tambourine; a tabret
(qv). ... (n.) A kind of drum, tabor, or tabret, in use from the highest antiquity. ...
/t/timbrel.htm - 9k

Tabering (1 Occurrence)
... Playing on a small drum or tabret. In Nahum 2:7, where alone it occurs, it
means beating on the breast, as players beat on the tabret. ...
/t/tabering.htm - 6k

Tabrets (6 Occurrences)

/t/tabrets.htm - 8k

Viol (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 5:12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their
feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the ...
/v/viol.htm - 8k

Outwit (3 Occurrences)
... didst thou flee secretly, and steal away from me, and didst not tell me, that I
might have sent thee away with mirth and with songs, with tabret and with harp ...
/o/outwit.htm - 7k

Deceivest (1 Occurrence)
... 31:27 Why hast thou hidden thyself to flee, and deceivest me, and hast not declared
to me, and I send thee away with joy and with songs, with tabret and with ...
/d/deceivest.htm - 6k

Drum
... drum (tumpanon): This was the Hebrew toph, "tabret" or "timbrel," a hand-drum,
consisting of a ring of wood or metal covered with a tightly drawn skin, with ...
/d/drum.htm - 9k

Music (143 Occurrences)
... (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 ...
/m/music.htm - 78k

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