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Musical Instruments in the Bible

For the glory of the most high God alone.--J. S. Bach

One of the noblest objectives of music is the spread of religion

and the elevation of the human soul.--Philip Emanuel Bach

Musical Instruments

Translations of the Hebrew words for musical instruments can be bewildering. In some cases,
several Hebrew words are given for the same English word. In other cases, the same Hebrew
word is translated as different English instruments. And in many cases, the translated instrument
changed from the King James Version to the more modern versions such as the New
International Version.
It is not entirely certain what all these instruments were. Part of the problem is, of course, that
these are from two to four thousand years ago. Another problem is that the Hebrews were
forbidden from making pictures of any of the instruments. However, there are some pictures
from other cultures in near by regions.

Bells
Bells

Bells are mentioned only in the Old Testament. The priest wore gold bells (Paamon, pha-am-
one') alternating with pomegranates when in the Holy Place of the temple (Exodus 28:31-35, and
39:25-26).

Exodus 28:33

On its skirts you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet stuff, around its skirts,
with bells of gold between them,

Exodus 39:25

They also made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates upon the skirts of
the robe round about, between the pomegranates;

Zechariah 14:20 mentions bells (metsillah, mets-il-law') on horses after the Second Coming.
On that day, Holy to the LORD, will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots
in the Lord's house will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar.

Flute, Pipe
Flute
There are seven different words that have been translated as Flute or Pipe in the Bible. It is not
entirely certain what all these instruments were. Part of the problem is, of course, that these are
from two to four thousand years ago. Another problem is that the Hebrews were forbidden from
making pictures of any of the instruments. There are some pictures from other cultures in near by
regions.

One word translated as flute is 'haliyl'. This is now thought to have been a primitive clarinet.

Another word is 'nehiylot' and is found only in Psalms 5:1, and is translated "For Flutes". To the
choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD; give heed to my
groaning.

The third word 'ugab' is found in these following verses. In the RVS, it was translated 'pipe'.

Genesis 4:21 His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and
pipe.

Job 21:12 They sing to the tambourine and the lyre, and rejoice to the sound of the pipe.

Job 30:31 My lyre is turned to mourning, and my pipe to the voice of those who weep.

Psalms 150:4 Praise him with timbrel and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!

Single or Double Reeds in the Bible

  **

The Clarinet or Oboe

The Hebrew word 'chaliyl' (khaw-leel') occurs in six Old Testament references. It was translated
'pipe' or 'pipes' in the King James Version, and 'flute' in the NIV. Some now think from
archaeology work by Nelson Glueck, that this instrument was a primitive clarinet, a chalumeau.
The chalumeau is a single reed pipe. However, others think the 'chaliyl' was a Hebrew 'shawm'.
Most references say a shawm is a double reed instrument that is the ancestor of the oboe.

 
  

There is also an instrument in five New Testament references called the Greek word 'Auleo'
(Alpha Upsilon Lambda Epsilon Omicron) (ow-leh'-o). Some references say this was a double
reed, like an oboe. Is there a separate word for Shawm or chalumeau in classical Greek? This
was also translated pipe in the KJV or flute in the NIV. This was used at celebrations and
funerals. It was not used in the Temple.

The OT references are:

As you [Saul] approach the town [of Gibeah], you will meet a procession of prophets coming
down from the high place with lyers, tambourines, flutes (chaliyl-Clarinets) and harps being
played before them, and they will be prophesying. I Samuel 10:5

They have harps and lyers at their banquets, tambourines and flutes (chaliyl-Clarinets) and wine,
but they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord, no respect for the work of his hands. Isaiah
5:12

And you will sing as on the night you celebrate a holy festival; your hearts will rejoice as when
people go up with flutes (chaliyl- Clarinets) to the mountain of the Lord. Isaiah 30:29

Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted, "Long live King Solomon!" and all
the people went up after him, playing flutes (chaliyl-Clarinets) and rejoicing greatly, so that the
ground shook with the sound. I Kings 1:39,40

"In Moab I will put an end to those who make offerings on the high places and burn incense to
their gods. So my heart laments for Moab like a flute (chaliyl-Clarinet); it laments like a flute
(chaliyl-Clarinet) for the men of Kir Hareseth. The wealth they acquired is gone," declares the
Lord. Jeremiah 48:35,36

The NT references are:

When Jesus entered the ruler's [Jarius'] house and saw the flute (Auleo-oboe) players and the
noisy crowd, he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him. After
the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News
of this spread through all the region. Matt 9:23-26

"To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and
calling out to others: We played the flute (Auleo-oboe) for you, and you did not dance; we sang a
dirge, and you did not mourn. For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, 'He has a
demon.' The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Here is a glutton and a
drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and "sinners."' Matthew 11:16-19 and Luke 7:32

Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute (Auleo-oboe) or harp, how
will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes? Again, if
the trumpet does not sound a clear call, who will get ready for battle? So it is with you. Unless
you speak intelligible words with you tongue, how will anyone know what you are saying? You
will just be speaking into the air. I Corinthians 14:7-9

With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. The
music of harpists and musicians, flute (Auleo-oboe) players and trumpeters, will never be heard
in you again. No workman of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone
will never be heard in you again. Revelation 18:21-22

The scripture is quoted from the New International Version (NIV).

** Picture Credit: The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, Vol. 3, p 472, plate 84, Abington
Press.

Cymbals

Gong (NT)

Horn, Trumpet

Lyre, Harp

Harp, Lute

Harp (NT)

Sistrum, Rattler, Castanet (RSV), Cornet (KJV)

Rams' Horn, Trumpet, Horn, Cornet, (Posaune, Martin Luther translantion, German for
Trombone)

Trumpets

Trumpet (NT)

Tambourine, Tambret

Instruments by Chaldean or Aramaic names listed only in Daniel 3

Psalm 150

Praise the LORD

Praise God in his sanctuary:
Praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his mighty acts of power;
praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,
praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing,
praise him with the strings and the flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals,
praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.

If you personally don't feel like praising the LORD, you probably have not experienced God's
love.
Home Page of J. W. Wheeler

Send E-mail to J. W. Wheeler

References
King James Version
New International Version
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, James Strong, Crusade Bible Publishers
The NIV Exhaustive Concordance, E. W. Goodrick, J. R. Kohlenberger III, Zondervan
Publishing House, 1990
The Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, Abingdon Press 1962, Parthenon Press, Nashville, TN
Woodwind Instruments and Their History, A. Baines, Dover Publications, 1991
The Clarinet, F. G Rendall, W. W. Norton & Co., 1978
The Flute, P. Bate, W. W. Norton & Co., 1975
The Trumpet and Trombone, P. Bate, W. W. Norton & Co., 1978
Mistakes are mine. Please E-mail me any errors you find. Thanks

Created 12/29/96, Last Revised 1/18/2003

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