What are the musical terms found in the Bible, and what do they mean?
Answered from the commentary of C. E. Stuart, G. V. Wigram, Morrish Bible Dictionary and 5 others
The Bible’s musical terms include names of instruments, directions for performing songs, and titles describing kinds of songs; many headings are uncertain, so their meanings cannot always be settled.
The instruments include the harp and psaltery, which are stringed instruments; the pipe or flute, a wind instrument; and cymbals, metal plates struck together. Trumpets and horns were used for calls, feasts, and praise, while the tabret or timbrel was a percussion instrument. The Bible also names the organ or pipe, but the precise form of some instruments, including the nebel or psaltery, is unknown.
Some headings appear to tell how a psalm was to be played or sung: *Neginah* and *Neginoth* mean stringed instrument or instruments; *Nehiloth* is thought to mean pipes or flutes; and *Sheminith* means “the eighth” and probably refers to an eight-stringed instrument or to the octave. *Alamoth* may mean maiden’s or soprano voices, though its meaning is uncertain; *Gittith* may refer to Gath, a winepress, an instrument, or a tune. *Shoshannim* means “lilies,” but whether it names an instrument, tune, or choir is uncertain; *Aijeleth-Shahar* means “hind of the morning,” though whether it names an instrument, tune, or the psalm’s subject is disputed. *Nehiloth* is also rendered “possessions,” and *Neginoth* “smitings,” but these proposed meanings differ from the musical explanations.
Other titles describe a song’s character: *Maschil* means instruction; *Michtam* is variously understood as “golden,” “engraved,” or a poem, and its meaning remains uncertain. *Shiggaion* is of unknown meaning, though it has been rendered “wandering ode”; *Mahalath* may indicate sickness or a mournful tune, but its meaning is uncertain. *Higgaion* means meditation, and *Selah* is generally understood as a pause or a call to pause and consider, though its exact meaning is not known. “To the chief musician” means “to the chief or leader,” perhaps of the singers as well as the musicians. The authors differ on several titles, and where a meaning is expressly uncertain, no single definition can be given.
Verses: Genesis 4:21, Exodus 15:1, Exodus 15:20, Exodus 15:21, Exodus 19:16, Exodus 28:34, Exodus 28:35, Exodus 32:17, Exodus 32:18, Numbers 10:1, Numbers 10:2, Numbers 10:3, Numbers 10:4, Numbers 10:5, Numbers 10:6, Numbers 10:7, Numbers 10:8, Numbers 10:9, Numbers 10:10, Numbers 21:17, Judges 5:1, Judges 11:34, 1 Samuel 10:5, 1 Samuel 16:16, 1 Samuel 16:17, 1 Samuel 16:18, 1 Samuel 16:19, 1 Samuel 16:20, 1 Samuel 16:21, 1 Samuel 16:22, 1 Samuel 16:23, 1 Samuel 18:6, 1 Samuel 18:7, 2 Samuel 6:5, 2 Samuel 6:14, 2 Samuel 6:15, 1 Kings 10:12, 1 Chronicles 15:16, 1 Chronicles 15:17, 1 Chronicles 15:18, 1 Chronicles 15:19, 1 Chronicles 15:20, 1 Chronicles 15:21, 1 Chronicles 15:22, 1 Chronicles 15:23, 1 Chronicles 15:24, 1 Chronicles 16:4, 1 Chronicles 16:5, 1 Chronicles 16:6, 1 Chronicles 23:5, 1 Chronicles 25:1, 1 Chronicles 25:2, 1 Chronicles 25:3, 1 Chronicles 25:4, 1 Chronicles 25:5, 1 Chronicles 25:6, 1 Chronicles 25:7, 2 Chronicles 5:12, 2 Chronicles 5:13, 2 Chronicles 7:6, 2 Chronicles 29:25, 2 Chronicles 29:26, 2 Chronicles 29:27, 2 Chronicles 29:28, 2 Chronicles 29:29, 2 Chronicles 29:30, Nehemiah 12:27, Nehemiah 12:36, Psalms 4:1, Psalms 5:1, Psalms 6:1, Psalms 8:1, Psalms 9:1, Psalms 18:1, Psalms 22:1, Psalms 32:1, Psalms 39:1, Psalms 42:1, Psalms 45:1, Psalms 46:1, Psalms 47:1, Psalms 49:1, Psalms 51:1, Psalms 52:1, Psalms 53:1, Psalms 54:1, Psalms 55:1, Psalms 56:1, Psalms 57:1, Psalms 58:1, Psalms 59:1, Psalms 60:1, Psalms 61:1, Psalms 62:1, Psalms 64:1, Psalms 65:1, Psalms 66:1, Psalms 67:1, Psalms 68:1, Psalms 69:1, Psalms 75:1, Psalms 76:1, Psalms 77:1, Psalms 80:1, Psalms 81:1, Psalms 84:1, Psalms 88:1, Psalms 92:1, Psalms 98:1, Psalms 108:1, Psalms 120:1, Psalms 120:2, Psalms 120:3, Psalms 120:4, Psalms 120:5, Psalms 120:6, Psalms 120:7, Psalms 150:1, Psalms 150:2, Psalms 150:3, Psalms 150:4, Psalms 150:5, Psalms 150:6, Isaiah 5:12, Isaiah 23:16, Isaiah 30:29, Isaiah 30:30, Isaiah 30:31, Isaiah 30:32, Isaiah 38:20, Isaiah 51:3, Amos 5:23, Habakkuk 3:19, Matthew 9:23, Matthew 11:17, Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26, Luke 7:32, Luke 15:25, Acts 16:25, 1 Corinthians 14:7, 1 Corinthians 14:8, 1 Corinthians 14:15, 1 Corinthians 14:26, Ephesians 5:19, Colossians 3:16, James 5:13, Revelation 5:8, Revelation 5:9, Revelation 14:2, Revelation 14:3, Revelation 15:2, Revelation 15:3, Revelation 18:22, Revelation 19:1, Revelation 19:2, Revelation 19:3, Revelation 19:4, Revelation 19:5, Revelation 19:6
The above is AI generated summary based on the writers below.
What the commentators say
The passages the answer is drawn from, the most direct first, with the words that bear on the question marked.
A Hebrew word that occurs four times, but in the A.V. is only once untranslated. This is in Psalm 9:16, where the margin reads 'that is, meditation.' It is thought by some to refer to a musical sign or instrument. Literally it means 'the sound of a harp when struck.' In Psalm 19:14 the word is translated 'meditation;' in Psalm 92:3, 'solemn sound;' and in Lam. 3:62, 'device.'
A Hebrew word in the headings of Ps. 6 and Ps. 12, and in 1 Chr. 15:21. It will be seen that in the margin these passages read 'on the eighth,' with which the LXX agrees. It was probably an instrument of eight strings (from shemoneh, 'eight'). Gesenius says it means 'octave'; hence the lowest notes of the scale, and sung by men.
In Dan. 3:5-15 the word is qeren and signifies 'horn or cornet.' In 2 Sam. 6:5 the word is manaanim, and signifies an instrument that makes a tinkling sound on being shaken, as a 'sistrum.' In the four other places the word is shophar, which is often translated 'trumpet.' 1 Chr. 15:28; 2 Chr. 15:14; Ps. 98:6; Hosea 5:8.
Ancient musical instruments, formed of metallic plates which were struck together; they produced no melodious sound in themselves (cf. 1 Cor. 13:1) and could only be used with other instruments. 1 Chr. 15:16, 19, 28; Ezra 3:10; Ps. 150:51 etc. In Corinthians it is a similitude of one making a show in speaking without love in the heart.
The principal word used is nebel, and it is supposed to refer to some unknown form of stringed instrument used to accompany the voice. It is at times mentioned along with the harp. 1 Sam. 10:5; Ps. 33:2; Ps. 144:9; Ps. 150:3; etc. The same word is also translated VIOL in Isa. 5:12; Isa. 14:11; Amos 5:23; Amos 6:5. In Dan. 3:5-15 the word is pesanterin.
There must have been with these prophets some knowledge of music, which doubtless under David was further cultivated and devoted to the service of God, their music being intimately connected with temple worship. He had several companies of singers, and players on instruments, which are often mentioned in the Psalms. As these were indited under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we may conclude that this way of celebrating the praises of God was in accordance with the dispensation that then was. Such an exhortation as "Praise him with the psaltery and harp," is beautifully in place in the Psalms; but in the N.T. dispensation it is, "singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;" and "I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also." "They that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
In the headings of fifty-five of the Psalms the words occur, "To the chief musician;" the word is natsach, and simply means 'to the chief or the leader,' and may therefore apply as much to the singers as to the musicians. The musical instruments are considered under their various names.
This word occurs only in the heading of Ps. 5. It is supposed to refer to some wind instrument or choir, but its meaning is uncertain.
The title occurs in the superscriptions of three Psalms, viz., Nos. 8, 81 and 84. It is generally considered to be the name of a musical instrument, possibly used by the Gittites or inhabitants of Gath. Be that as it may, there is undoubtedly an element which refers to thoughts analogous to "wine-pressing," with which Scripture constantly associates the idea of judgment followed by gladness in the hearts of the people of God in consequence of the righteousness of God having been vindicated.
Translated by the LXX, ἐπὶ ἀλαιμώθ, and in nablis arcana cantabant, Vulg. in 1 Chr. 15:20; ὑπὲρ τῶν κρυφίώ, pro arcanis, Ps. 46: title. The meaning of the word is unknown, and this ignorance is confirmed by the efforts to translate the word in the versions. The word is supposed to be derived from 'a virgin,' and may therefore signify soprano voices.
Verses
- Genesis 4:21And his brother's name was Jubal he was the father of those who handle the harp and pipe.
- Exodus 15:1Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song to Jehovah, and spoke, saying, I will sing unto Jehovah, for he is highly exalted The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
- Exodus 15:20–2120And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the tambour in her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambours and with dances. 21And Miriam answered them, Sing to Jehovah, for he is highly exalted The horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.
- Exodus 19:16And it came to pass on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunders and lightnings and a heavy cloud on the mountain, and the sound of the trumpet exceeding loud; and the whole people that was in the camp trembled.
- Exodus 28:34–3534a golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, in the skirts of the cloak round about. 35And it shall be on Aaron for service; that his sound may be heard when he goeth into the sanctuary before Jehovah, and when he cometh out, that he may not die.
- Exodus 32:17–1817And Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, and said to Moses, There is a shout of war in the camp. 18And he said, It is not the sound of a shout of victory, neither is it the sound of a shout of defeat it is the noise of alternate singing I hear.