Life in Bible Times - Musicians and Their Instruments

Kinds of Musical Instruments

The instruments described in the Bible were made of precious wood, stretched animal skin, metal, and bone. Some were inlaid with ivory.  Strings were made of plant, fiber or animal intestines. While almost no ancient instruments remain to the present day, pictures of them have survived.

The instruments used in Bible times can be divided into there basic categories:  stringed instruments, such as the harp, the lyre (1), and the lute (2); wind instruments, such as the horn, or shofar (3), the trumpet (4), the much loved flute, or pipe (5); percussion instruments, such as the tambourine (6)the sistrum (7), cymbals (8), and bells (9). musicians played these instruments to accompany poetic songs, lively dancing, and singing.  ( 1 Samuel 18:6, 7)  Most important, they used them in worship of the  God who had blessed them with the gift of music. (1 Chronicles 15:16) Consider more closely each group of instruments.

Stringed  Instruments The harp and the lyre were light, portable instruments with strings stretched over wooden frame.  David played a string instrument to soothe the soul of anguished King Saul.  (1 Samuel 16:23) These instruments were used in the orchestra at the dedication of Solomon's temple and on other joyous occasions, such as festivals. - 2 CHRONICLES 5:12; 9:11.

The lute was similar to the harp, but it usually differed in shape. It often consisted of a few strings stretched over a frame that held a sound board.  The vibrating strings may have produced  melodious tones not unlike the classical guitar of today.  The strings were made of twisted vegetable fibers or animal intestines. 

Next time: Life in Bible Times - Musicians and Their Instruments -Wind Instruments

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