Development of Hebrew Music. The history of Hebrew music goes back to the first person who beat a stick on a rock, and it extends to the temple orchestra and the "joyous sound" called for in Psalm 150. That first musician heard rhythm as he beat his primitive instruments.
For example, David is credited with inventing a number of instruments, although we do not know precisely what they were (cf. Amos 6:5). David called upon a chorus of 4,000 to offer praises to the LORD "with the instruments which I made to Praise" (I Chron. 23:5; cf. II Chron. 7:6; Neh. 12:6). David also composed songs, such as his lament over the death of Saul and Jonathan.
Though GOD directed Israel's social and religious development, the nation absorbed ideas from surrounding cultures. Israel was at a geographical crossroads and was exposed to ideas and customs from other parts of the world (Gen. 37:25), including musical style.
Many men of Israel married foreign wives whose customs gradually crept into Hebrew lifestyle. According to the collection of post-biblical Jewish writings called the Midrash, King Solomon married an Egyptian woman whose dowry included 1,000 musical instruments. If this is true, no doubt she brought musicians with her to play those instruments in the traditional Egyptian way.
The purpose the music served and the way in which listeners responded to it also influenced the development of Hebrew music. In times of war, it was often necessary to sound an alarm or send some other kind of urgent signal. Thus the Hebrews developed the shophar, an instrument like a trumpet with loud, piercing tones (Exod. 32:17-18; Judg. 7:18-20). Merrymaking and frivolity called for the light, happy tones produced by the pipe or flute (Gen. 31:27; Judg. 11:34-35; Matt. 9:23-24; Luke 15:23-25).
Types of Instruments. Musical instruments fall into three basic classes, according to the way the sound is produced: (1) stringed instruments, which use vibrating strings to produce the sound; (2) percussion instruments, in which the sound is produced by a vibrating membrane or metal shell; and (3) wind instruments, which produce sound by passing air over a vibrating reed.
A. Percussion Instruments. The people of Israel used a variety of percussion instruments to sound out the rhythm of their music. Rhythm was the vital element of their poetry and songs.
1. Bells. One kind of bell had a name (metsilloth) that came from the Hebrew word meaning "to jingle" or "to rattle". This type of bell is mentioned only once in the Bible (Zech. 14:20), where we are told that the Israelites attached these bells to the bridle or breast strap of horses.
2. Castanets. See "Cymbals" and "Rattler-Sistrum".
3. Cymbals. Cymbals (metziltayim or tziltzal) were made of copper and were the only percussion instrument in the temple orchestra. They were used when the people were celebrating and praising GOD. They joined with trumpets and singers to express joy and thanks to the LORD (I Chron. 15:16; 16:5). Asaph, David's chief musician (I Chron. 16:5), was a cymbal player. When the people returned from captivity, Asaph's descendants were called to join singers and trumpets in praise to the LORD (Ezra 3:10).
In passages such as I Chronicles 16:5, some versions translate the Hebrew as castanets. It is now generally believed that this is inaccurate and should be cymbals.
4. Rattler-Sistrum. This is the correct translation for II Samuel 6:5. (The RSV uses castanets, while the KJV uses cornet.) The sistrum was a small U-shaped frame with a handle attached at the bottom of the curve. Pieces of metal or other small objects were strung on small bars stretched from one side of the sistrum to the other.
The use of the sistrum goes back to ancient Egypt and has counterparts in other ancient cultures. It was merely a noisemaker, played by women on both joyous and sad occasions.
5. Tabret. See "Timbrel"
6. Timbrel. Modern musicians would classify this instrument as a "membranophone" because the sound is produced by a vibrating membrane. It is correctly translated as either timbrel or tambourine. (KJV uses the term tabret.) It was carried and beaten by the hand. In very early times it may have been made with two membranes, with pieces of bronze inserted in the rim.
7. Gong. The "brass" mentioned in I Corinthians 13:1 was actually a metal gong. It was used for weddings and other joyous occasions.
B.Stringed Instruments. Archaeologists have found fragments of harps and other stringed instruments from Egypt and neighboring countries of the Near East. Scripture describes several stringed instruments that were used in Israel.
1. Dulcimer. The term appears in the Bible only in Daniel 3:5,7,10, and 15. It is not a precise translation. See "Harp".
2. Harp. The harp (KJV also uses psaltery, viol, or dulcimer) was a favorite instrument of the aristocratic class and was lavishly made (I Kings 10:12; II Chron. 9:11). It was used in the temple orchestra and was appointed to "raise sounds of joy" (I Chron. 15:16).
3. Lute. This 3-stringed triangular instrument may have been one of the "instruments of music" mentioned in I Samuel 18:6. It was usually played by women and was excluded from the temple orchestra.
4. LyreTwo Hebrew terms are translated as lyre. (The KJV uses harp.) One is mentioned in only one book of the Bible (Dan. 3:5,7,10,15). This particular lyre (nevel) was frequently used for secular music, such as the merrymaking at Nebuchadnezzar's banquet. It was played by plucking the strings with the fingers.
A smaller lyre (kinnor) was considered to be the most sophisticated instrument. Its shape and number of strings varied, but all types of lyres produced a most pleasing sound. The lyre was used in secular settings (Isa. 23:16), but was welcomed in sacred use too. It was the instrument David used to soothe King Saul. Generally, this "little lyre" was played by stroking the strings with a plectrum, much as a guitar can be played with a pick. However, David seemed to prefer to use his hand instead (I Sam. 16:16,23; 18:10; 19:9). Skilled craftsmen made lyres of silver or ivory and decorated them with lavish ornamentation.
5. Psaltery. See "Harp".
6. Sackbut. See "Trigon".
7. Trigon. The Book of Daniel frequently refers to the trigon (Dan. 3:5,7,10,15). The KJV incorrectly calls it the sackbut; the sackbut was not devised until several centuries after biblical times.
We do not know the exact shape and size of the trigon. The instrument appears to have been borrowed from the Babylonians and thus was not common among the instruments of Israel.
8. Viol. See "Harp".
C. Wind Instruments. Despite their limited knowledge of metal-working, the Israelites fashioned a variety of horns and other wind instruments.
1. Clarinet. The primitive clarinet was a popular instrument in Bible times. It is mentioned in Isaiah 5:12; 30:29; and Jeremiah 48:36. It is incorrectly translated as pipe (KJV) or flute (RSV) in these verses. New Testament references include Matthew 9:23; 11:17; Luke 7:32; and I Corinthians 14:7. The clarinet probably was not used in the temple but it was a popular instrument for banquets, weddings, or funerals.
2. Cornet. See "Trumpet", "Shophar", and "Rattler-Sistrum".
3. Flute. The flute (mashrokitha) was actually a big pipe. (The KJV uses pipe.) Because it was a big pipe and had a mouthpiece, it produced a sharp, penetrating sound, somewhat like an oboe. The flute was popular for secular and religious use but it was not mentioned as an instrument of the first temple orchestra. It was sometimes allowed in the second temple. Because of its penetrating sound it was used in processions (Isa. 30:29).
4. Organ. See "Pipe".
5. Pipe. Pipe usually refers to a wind instrument that was used to express wild joy or ecstatic lament. It is generally believed to have been a secular instrument, although Psalm 150:4 mentions its use in the temple for a religious celebration.
The King James Version uses the terms organ and flute instead of pipe.
6. Shophar. The shophar is best understood as a "ram's horn", as in Josh. 6:4,6,8,13. The KJV often uses trumpet, cornet, and horn to render this Hebrew word (cf. I Chron. 15:28; II Chron. 15:14; Hosea 5:8). It was designed to make noise, not music, so it could not play melodies. It was used to give signals and announce special occasions, such as the transfer of the ark (II Sam. 6). It was also used to frighten away evil spirits and gods of the enemy (Zech. 9:14-15).
7. Trumpet. The trumpet was similar to the shophar but was used by the priests. Trumpets were often used in pairs (Num. 10:1-10). Originally two were ordered for the temple; but the number could be increased to 120, depending upon the purpose (II Chron. 5:12).
Trumpets were made of bones, shell or metals - bronze, copper, silver, gold - all of which produced a high, shrill sound. It is generally believed that these trumpets, like the shophar, could not produce sounds in various pitches, so as to make music (melody). However, they could blow legato and staccato notes and trills. Thus, they could convey complicated signals to announce assembly, battle, and ambush.
Ephesians 5:19
19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; (KJV)
Colossians 3:16
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. (KJV)
Did you find where in these two verses it refers to