Topical Encyclopedia
The lyre is a stringed musical instrument frequently mentioned in the Bible, often associated with worship, celebration, and prophecy. It is one of the oldest known instruments, and its use is deeply embedded in the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel.
Description and ConstructionThe lyre typically consists of a soundbox, two arms, and a crossbar, with strings stretched between the soundbox and the crossbar. The number of strings could vary, and they were usually plucked with the fingers or a plectrum. The lyre's design allowed for a range of musical expressions, making it suitable for both joyful and solemn occasions.
Biblical ReferencesThe lyre is first mentioned in
Genesis 4:21, where Jubal is described as "the father of all who play the lyre and flute." This early reference highlights the instrument's ancient origins and its role in human culture from the earliest times.
In the context of worship, the lyre is frequently associated with King David, who was a skilled player. In
1 Samuel 16:23, it is recorded that David played the lyre to soothe King Saul: "Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him." This passage illustrates the lyre's use in spiritual and emotional healing.
The Psalms, many of which are attributed to David, often mention the lyre as an instrument of praise.
Psalm 33:2 exhorts, "Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to Him with ten strings." Similarly,
Psalm 150:3 calls for worship with various instruments, including the lyre: "Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre."
The lyre also appears in prophetic contexts. In
1 Chronicles 25:1, David, along with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres, and cymbals. This indicates the lyre's role in the prophetic ministry, where music was intertwined with the proclamation of God's word.
Cultural and Religious SignificanceThe lyre's presence in both secular and sacred settings underscores its versatility and importance. It was used in royal courts, as seen with David and Saul, and in temple worship, as evidenced by its inclusion in the orchestras of the Levites. The instrument's ability to convey a wide range of emotions made it an essential part of Israel's musical heritage.
In the broader ancient Near Eastern context, the lyre was a common instrument, and its depiction in art and literature from surrounding cultures suggests its widespread popularity. However, in the biblical narrative, the lyre is uniquely tied to the worship of Yahweh, serving as a tool for both personal devotion and communal celebration.
SymbolismThe lyre symbolizes joy, worship, and divine inspiration. Its frequent association with King David, a man after God's own heart, elevates the instrument as a symbol of sincere and heartfelt worship. The lyre's role in soothing Saul and its use in the Psalms further emphasize its capacity to connect the human spirit with the divine.
In summary, the lyre is a significant biblical instrument, deeply woven into the fabric of Israel's worship and cultural expression. Its enduring legacy is reflected in its continued symbolic representation of praise and devotion in Christian thought and practice.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) A stringed instrument of music; a kind of harp much used by the ancients, as an accompaniment to poetry.
2. (n.) One of the constellations; Lyra. See Lyra.
Greek
2788. kithara -- alyre... a
lyre. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: kithara Phonetic Spelling:
(kith-ar'-ah) Short Definition: a harp Definition: a harp,
lyre.
... harp,
lyre.
...2790. kitharodos -- one who plays and sings to thelyre
... one who plays and sings to thelyre. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration:
kitharodos Phonetic Spelling: (kith-ar-o'-dos) Short Definition: a harpist...
2789. kitharizo -- to play on thelyre
... to play on thelyre. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kitharizo Phonetic Spelling:
(kith-ar-id'-zo) Short Definition: I play on the harp Definition: intrans...
Strong's Hebrew
7030. qitharos -- alyre, zither... 7029, 7030. qitharos. 7031 . a
lyre, zither. Transliteration: qitharos
Phonetic Spelling: (kee-thaw-roce') Short Definition:
lyre.
...3658. kinnor -- alyre
... 3657, 3658. kinnor. 3659 . alyre. Transliteration: kinnor Phonetic
Spelling: (kin-nore') Short Definition:lyre. Word Origin of...
8067. sheminith -- Sheminith
... Word Origin fem. of shemini, qv. Sheminith Feminine of shmiyniy; probably an
eight-stringedlyre -- Sheminith. see HEBREW shmiyniy. 8066, 8067....
5443. sabbeka -- trigon (a musical instrument)
... sackbut. (Aramaic) or sabbka: (Aramaic) {sab-bek- aw'}; from a root corresponding
to cabak; alyre -- sackbut. see HEBREW cabak. 5442, 5443....
5035. nebel -- a skin bottle, skin, jar, pitcher
... Or nebel {nay'-bel}; from nabel; a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty);
hence, a vase (as similar in shape when full); also alyre (as having a...
6460. pesanterin -- (a triangular stringed instrument) perhaps...
... psaltery. (Aramaic) or pcanteriyn {pes-an-tay-reen'}; a transliteration of the Gr.
Psalterion; alyre -- psaltery. 6459, 6460. pesanterin. 6461 ....
Library
Invention of theLyre; Allegorizing the Appearance and Position of...
... Chapter XLVIII."Invention of theLyre; Allegorizing the Appearance and Position
of the Stars; Origin of the Phoenicians; The Logos Identified by Aratus with...
Of the Mind and Its Seat.
... existence, but that the power of perception exists from the constitution of the
body and the construction of the organs, as harmony does in the case of thelyre...
Proof of the Existence of the Rational Soul. -1 Difference of Man...
... knows that these are injurious, unless the intellect decide.4. And the case, to
look at it by aid of a simile, is like that of a well-fashionedlyre in the...
How to Conduct Ourselves at Feasts.
... Lord. "And praise Him on thelyre." [1403] By thelyre is meant the mouth
struck by the Spirit, as it were by a plectrum. "Praise...
David's victory Over the Giant
... Let your servants who are here advise you, and let them seek a man skilled
in playing thelyre. Then, whenever the evil spirit comes...
Exhortation to Abandon the Impious Mysteries of Idolatry for the...
... But there was a contest, and Eunomos was playing thelyre in the summer time: it
was when the grasshoppers, warmed by the sun, were chirping beneath the leaves...
John I.
... audience believe him other than he is by carriage, by look, by voice, needing for
the delivery of his message no instruments of music, as harp,lyre, or any...
That the Inventors of Other Arts were Mostly Barbarians.
... The Sicilians, close to Italy, were the first inventors of the phorminx, which
is not much inferior to thelyre. And they invented castanets....
This HomilyWas Delivered in the Old Church of Antioch
... and thy often infirmities.". 1. Ye have heard the Apostolic voice, that trumpet
from heaven, that spirituallyre! For even as a trumpet...
That the Form of Man was Framed to Serve as an Instrument for the...
... his own voice, and yet wish to make his skill known, might make melody with voices
of others, and publish his art by the aid of flutes or of thelyre, so also...
Thesaurus
Lyre (32 Occurrences)... See Lyra. Multi-Version Concordance
Lyre (32 Occurrences).
... (See RSV). Psalms 6:1
For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments, upon the eight-stringed
lyre.
...Lute (13 Occurrences)
... the lute. (DBY). Psalms 92:3 with the ten-stringed lute, with the harp,
and with the melody of thelyre. (WEB DBY NAS RSV). Psalms...
Flute (16 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 5:12 The harp,lyre, tambourine, and flute, with wine, are at their feasts;
but they don't respect the work of Yahweh, neither have they considered the...
Pipe (13 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 that whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither,lyre, harp,
pipe, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the golden image...
Zither (3 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 that whenever you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither,lyre, harp,
pipe, and all kinds of music, you fall down and worship the golden image...
Eight-stringed (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:21 and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-Edom,
and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps tuned to the eight-stringedlyre, to lead....
Lyres (21 Occurrences)
... 1 Chronicles 15:21 and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-Edom,
and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps tuned to the eight-stringedlyre, to lead....
Praises (66 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Psalms 33:2 Give thanks to Yahweh with thelyre.... I sing praises to
you with thelyre, Holy One of Israel. (WEB JPS ASV NAS RSV)....
Ten-stringed (3 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Psalms 92:3 with the ten-stringed lute, with the harp, and with the melody
of thelyre. (WEB NAS NIV).... On a ten-stringedlyre, I will sing praises to you....
Tambourine (8 Occurrences)
... the pipe. (WEB RSV NIV). Psalms 81:2 Raise a song, and bring here the tambourine,
the pleasantlyre with the harp. (WEB NIV). Psalms...
Resources
What is a psalm? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean to make a joyful noise unto the Lord? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did God send an evil spirit to torment King Saul? | GotQuestions.orgLyre: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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