Ancient Instruments of the Bible/Strings (part five)

 

Images of Jewish ancient Stringed instruments

Strings

There are several terms in the Old Testament that evidently refer to stringed instruments, but we have few definitive ideas of what they actually were.

Zither: The most commonly mentioned stringed instrument in the Bible is the kinnor. Bible versions call it a “lyre,” “harp,” or “stringed instrument,” but it’s something in between. Together with the pipe, it is one of the first musical instruments mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 4:21). The base is solid or hollow with sound holes. The top of the base has two arms that rise to hold a bridge. Strings span the space from the bridge to the bottom of the base. It was played by plucking the strings with fingers or a stick. The Old Testament mentions it was used for celebration (2 Samuel 6:5; 1 Chronicles 16:5; Nehemiah 12:27; Isaiah 30:32), worship (Psalm 33:2; 43:4; 57:8; 150:3), and prophecy (1 Samuel 10:5; 1 Chronicles 25:1–3; Psalm 49:4). Kinnor was an instrument specified for temple worship (2 Chronicles 9:11; 29:25).

Harp: The nebel is also frequently mentioned in the Old Testament. Bible versions translate the Hebrew as “harp,” “lyre,” “psaltery,” and “viol.” The word is based on the Hebrew for “skin-bag” or “jar,” which reflects its overall shape. Modern scholars don’t know what it was—whether the strings ran over a sound box like a zither, from one frame to another like a harp, or both, like a kinnor. Nebel may be a general word for “stringed instrument.” It is often mentioned with the kinnor and for the same purposes. The King James Version’s reading of “viol” is anachronistic, as stringed instruments were plucked or strummed at that time, not drawn across with a bow.

Ten-stringed harp: The nebel asor was some kind of stringed instrument that had ten strings; asor means “ten.” It’s unknown if it was more like a harp or a lute. It was used for worship (Psalm 33:2; 92:3; 144:9).

Related to the Hebrew nebel is the Aramaic picanteriyn, translated as “harp” or “psaltery.” It is only mentioned in connection with the worship of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue (Daniel 3:5, 7, 10, 15), so it’s probably the Babylonian version of the nebel. The Aramaic word picanteriyn and the Hebrew psanterin are related to the Greek psalterion.

Trigon: The Aramaic sabbka is also only referred to in the episode of Nebuchadnezzar’s statue. It seems to be a triangular-shaped instrument, but we don’t know if that means a harp with two arms or a triangular lyre. The King James refers to it a “sackbut,” which is a type of trombone.

Lyre: The Aramaic qiytharoc is either a harp, lyre, or zither and is only mentioned in Daniel 3. Like picanteriyn, qiytharock is a transliteration of the Greek, in this case, qitaros.

Strings: Finally, the Hebrew men means “part,” as in parting a chord into several strings. Some versions translate it as “strings,” while others say, “stringed instruments.” It is used only once in this context, in Psalm 150:4.

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Stringed instruments wind up the study on ancient Jewish instruments. 

I came from a 'semi-musical family.'

At the top of my list of favorites is my father who loved playing his guitar right up to almost the end of his life. Before he passed, he had a slight stroke which left him no longer able to play, and that about broke his heart, he had done it for so long that it actually made him cry to not be able to anymore. I am sure he is in heaven though now, making even more beautiful music then he ever thought about down here.

His brother Jim played the banjo, and they would often get together to play and there was always someone around that would sit and sing the songs that they played together. Sometimes there was many of us.

There were others in the family, too.

My aunt that was married to Jim played something that looked much like the above image.

My two brothers. My niece. 

They played guitars.

And my cousin played the piano.

So many great memories of days gone by. 

And along with some of those family members that have passed,

memories are now all we have. 

God sure knew what he was doing when he gave man the ability to create such wonderful music.

And I am thankful, although sadly I have no talent playing an instrument, still I am thankful that I could be a part of these wonderful memories of those years.

Thanks for allowing me to share with you, my Friends.

God bless you throughout the evening.