Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "instrument" can refer to a variety of objects used for different purposes, including musical, agricultural, and ceremonial functions. Instruments are mentioned throughout the Scriptures, serving as tools for worship, work, and warfare.
Musical InstrumentsMusical instruments play a significant role in biblical worship and celebration. The Psalms frequently mention instruments as a means to praise God. For example,
Psalm 150:3-5 exhorts believers to "praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute. Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with clashing cymbals." These verses highlight the diversity of instruments used in worship, emphasizing their importance in expressing joy and reverence toward God.
The use of musical instruments is also evident in the temple worship established by King David. In
1 Chronicles 23:5 , it is noted that "four thousand are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise." This organized use of instruments underscores their integral role in the liturgical practices of ancient Israel.
Agricultural and Work InstrumentsInstruments used for agriculture and work are also mentioned in the Bible. These tools were essential for the daily life and sustenance of the people. For instance, in
Isaiah 28:27-28 , the prophet describes the use of various instruments in farming: "For caraway is not threshed with a sledge, nor is the wheel of a cart rolled over cumin; but caraway is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod. Grain for bread must be ground, but it is not endlessly threshed; though the wheels of the cart roll over it, the horses do not crush it."
These verses illustrate the practical application of instruments in agricultural processes, highlighting the wisdom and care required in their use.
Ceremonial and Symbolic InstrumentsInstruments also hold ceremonial and symbolic significance in the Bible. The shofar, or ram's horn, is one such instrument, used in various religious and military contexts. In
Joshua 6:4-5 , the shofar plays a crucial role in the fall of Jericho: "Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. And when there is a long blast of the ram’s horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the wall of the city will collapse, and the people will go up, each man straight ahead."
The shofar's use in this narrative underscores its function as a divine instrument, symbolizing God's power and presence.
Instruments of WarfareInstruments of warfare are also depicted in the Bible, often symbolizing strength and divine intervention. In
Judges 7:16-20 , Gideon uses trumpets as part of his strategy against the Midianites: "He divided the three hundred men into three companies and gave each man a ram’s horn in one hand and a large jar in the other, with a torch inside. 'Watch me,' he told them, 'and do as I do. When I come to the outskirts of the camp, do exactly as I do. When I and all who are with me blow our horns, then you are also to blow your horns from all around the camp and shout, ‘For the LORD and for Gideon!’"
This passage illustrates how instruments, in this case, trumpets, were used not only for communication but also as a means to invoke fear and confusion among enemies, demonstrating God's deliverance.
In summary, instruments in the Bible serve multifaceted roles, from enhancing worship and facilitating work to symbolizing divine intervention and power. Their presence throughout Scripture reflects their importance in the cultural, religious, and daily life of the biblical world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) That by means of which any work is performed, or result is effected; a tool; a utensil; an implement; as, the instruments of a mechanic; astronomical instruments.
2. (n.) A contrivance or implement, by which musical sounds are produced; as, a musical instrument.
3. (n.) A writing, as the means of giving formal expression to some act; a writing expressive of some act, contract, process, as a deed, contract, writ, etc.
4. (n.) One who, or that which, is made a means, or is caused to serve a purpose; a medium, means, or agent.
5. (v. t.) To perform upon an instrument; to prepare for an instrument; as, a sonata instrumented for orchestra.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
INSTRUMENTin'-stroo-ment (keli; in Greek plural hopla,Romans 6:13): The word in the Old Testament is used for utensils for service, chiefly in connection with the sanctuary (compareExodus 25:9Numbers 4:12, 26, 321 Kings 19:21;1 Chronicles 9:292 Chronicles 4:16, the King James Version); for weapons of war (1 Samuel 8:121 Chronicles 12:33, 17, etc.); notably for musical instruments. SeeMUSIC. The members of the body are described by Paul (Romans 6:13) as "instruments" to be used in the service of righteousness, as before they were in the service of unrighteousness.
Greek
4716. stauros -- an upright stake, hence a cross (the Rom.......instrument of crucifixion). Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: stauros
Phonetic Spelling: (stow-ros') Short Definition: a cross Definition: a cross
...3696. hoplon -- a tool, implement, weapon
... a tool, implement, weapon. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: hoplon
Phonetic Spelling: (hop'-lon) Short Definition: aninstrument, arms, weapons...
5567. psallo -- to pull, twitch, twang, play, sing
... Transliteration: psallo Phonetic Spelling: (psal'-lo) Short Definition: I sing psalms
Definition: I sing, sing psalms; earlier: I play on a stringedinstrument...
5495. cheir -- the hand
... 5495 -- properly, ; (figuratively) theinstrument a person uses to accomplish
their purpose (intention, plan). Word Origin a prim....
4632. skeuos -- a vessel, implement, pl. goods
... os) Short Definition: a vessel to contain liquid, utensil, tackle Definition: a
vessel to contain liquid; a vessel of mercy or wrath; anyinstrument by which...
5568. psalmos -- a striking (of musical strings), a psalm
... 5568 -- a ("Scripture set to music"). Originally, (5568 ) was sung and accompanied
by a plucked musicalinstrument (typically a harp), especially the OT ....
4647. skolops -- anything pointed, spec. a stake, thorn
... 4647 -- properly, anything with a , a ; (figuratively) aninstrument producing
pain, discomfort (acute irritation), used only in 2 Cor 12:7....
1271. dianoia -- the mind, disposition, thought
... 30). It is also theinstrument of self-destruction when exercised without
God's light and power (Lk 1:51; Eph 2:3, 4:18; Col 1:21)....
4972. sphragizo -- to seal
... 4972 (from 4973 , "a seal") -- properly, to seal (affix) with a signet ring or other
instrument to stamp (a roller or seal), ie to , () what is sealed....
3356. metriopatheo -- to hold one's emotions in restraint
... 3356 (from , "mediating," derived from , "aninstrument for measuring" and 3806 ,
"feeling") -- properly, to , ie with ("God-controlled ")....
Strong's Hebrew
1761. dachavah -- perhaps a musicalinstrument... dachavah. 1761a . perhaps a musical
instrument. Transliteration: dachavah Phonetic
Spelling: (dakh-av-aw') Short Definition: music.
instrument of music
...3104. yobel -- a ram, ram's horn (a windinstrument)
... yobel or yobel. 3105 . a ram, ram's horn (a windinstrument). Transliteration:
yobel or yobel Phonetic Spelling: (yo-bale') Short Definition: jubilee....
5748. uggab -- (a reed musicalinstrument) perhaps a flute
... uggab or uggab. 5749 . (a reed musicalinstrument) perhaps a flute. Transliteration:
uggab or uggab Phonetic Spelling: (oo-gawb') Short Definition: flute....
5059. nagan -- to touch or play a stringedinstrument
... nagan. 5060 . to touch or play a stringedinstrument. Transliteration: nagan Phonetic
Spelling: (naw-gan') Short Definition: play. Word Origin a prim....
2757. charits -- a cut, thing cut, sharpinstrument
... 2756, 2757. charits. 2758 . a cut, thing cut, sharpinstrument. Transliteration:
charits Phonetic Spelling: (khaw-reets') Short Definition: cuts....
5155. nechilah -- perhaps flute (a musicalinstrument).
... 5154, 5155. nechilah. 5156 . perhaps flute (a musicalinstrument).... Word Origin
perhaps from chalil Definition perhaps flute (a musicalinstrument). a flute...
5443. sabbeka -- trigon (a musicalinstrument)
... sabbeka or sabbeka. 5444 . trigon (a musicalinstrument). Transliteration: sabbeka
or sabbeka Phonetic Spelling: (sab-bek-aw') Short Definition: trigon....
4434. malkodeth -- a catchinginstrument, a snare, trap
... 4433, 4434. malkodeth. 4435 . a catchinginstrument, a snare, trap.
Transliteration: malkodeth Phonetic Spelling: (mal-ko'-deth) Short Definition: trap....
1761a. dachavah -- perhaps a musicalinstrument
... 1761, 1761a. dachavah. 1761b . perhaps a musicalinstrument. Transliteration:
dachavah Short Definition: entertainment. Word Origin (Aramaic) from the equiv...
4115. mahpeketh -- stocks (instrument of punishment)
... 4114, 4115. mahpeketh. 4116 . stocks (instrument of punishment). Transliteration:
mahpeketh Phonetic Spelling: (mah-peh'-keth) Short Definition: stocks....
Library
Faith is not theInstrument of Justification.
... ARTICLE XXVI (VI.) Faith is not theinstrument of Justification. Faith is not
theinstrument of Justification. ANSWER. IN THE enunciation...
ItsInstrument
... 8. ItsInstrument.... It is not faith as a spiritual grace which justifies us,
but as aninstrument"the hand which lays hold of Christ....
The Soul is not to be Disquieted, that is Sees it Self Encompassed...
... CHAP. VI. The Soul is not to be disquieted, that is sees it self encompassed with
darkness, because that is aninstrument of its greater felicity. 39....
He Refutes the Wicked and Blasphemous Notion of the Heretics who...
... Book V. Chapter XIV. He refutes the wicked and blasphemous notion of the heretics
who said that God dwelt and spoke in Christ as in aninstrument or a statue....
That the Form of Man was Framed to Serve as anInstrument for the...
... III."Philosophical Works. IX. That the form of man was framed to serve
as aninstrument for the use of reason . 1. Now since our...
The Old Testament is Properly one Thing --The OldInstrument...
... Book III. Chapter 12."The Old Testament is Properly One Thing"The Old
Instrument Another. Therefore, by a custom of speech already...
Argument: the Religion of the Christians is Foolish, Inasmuch as...
... Chapter IX."Argument: The Religion of the Christians is Foolish, Inasmuch as They
Worship a Crucified Man, and Even theInstrument Itself of His Punishment....
First Tractate.
... Now from this relation, from the Soul using the body as aninstrument, it does not
follow that the Soul must share the body's experiences: a man does not...
Implanted Dispositions.
... These two may never be confounded; man's absolute nothingness before God
may never be applied to man as aninstrument in God's hand....
Like one of Us.
... The Scripture may be theinstrument whereby to act upon the consciousness of the
sinner and to open his eyes to the beauty of the divine life, but it can not...
Thesaurus
Instrument (45 Occurrences)... 2. (n.) A contrivance or implement, by which musical sounds are produced; as, a
musical
instrument.
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
INSTRUMENT.
...Threshing-instruments (1 Occurrence)
Threshing-instruments. Threshing-floors, Threshing-instruments. Threshingplace .
Multi-Version Concordance Threshing-instruments (1 Occurrence)....
Psaltery (17 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary A musicalinstrument, supposed to have been
a kind of lyre, or a harp with twelve strings. The Hebrew...
Cut (616 Occurrences)
... 1. (imp. & pp) of Cut. 2. (vt) To separate the parts of with, or as with, a sharp
instrument; to make an incision in; to gash; to sever; to divide....
Tool (13 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Aninstrument such as a hammer, saw, plane, file, and the like, used in
the manual arts, to facilitate mechanical operations; anyinstrument used by a...
Dulcimer (3 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary (Hebrews sumphoniah), a musicalinstrument mentioned
in Dan. 3:5... image. It was not a Jewishinstrument. In...
Corded (37 Occurrences)
... 1 Samuel 16:16 Now give orders to your servants who are here before you to go in
search of a man who is an expert player on a cordedinstrument: and it will be...
Key (8 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Aninstrument by means of which the bolt of a lock is shot or drawn; usually,
a removable metalinstrument fitted to the mechanism of a particular lock...
Knife (10 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) Hebrews hereb, "the waster," a sharpinstrument
for circumcision (Joshua 5:2, 3, lit. "knives of flint;" Comp....
Fan (8 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) Aninstrument used for producing artificial currents
of air, by the wafting or revolving motion of a broad surface....
Resources
What is a psalm? | GotQuestions.orgWas Jesus crucified on a cross, pole, or stake? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about health? | GotQuestions.orgInstrument: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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