Topical Encyclopedia
The term "organ" in the context of the Bible and biblical times does not refer to the modern musical instrument known today, but rather to a variety of musical instruments used in ancient worship and cultural practices. The concept of musical instruments, including those that might be considered "organs," is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, reflecting the importance of music in worship and daily life.
Biblical References and ContextIn the Bible, the Hebrew word often translated as "organ" is "ugab," which appears in several passages. This term is generally understood to refer to a type of wind instrument, possibly similar to a flute or a panpipe, rather than the pipe organ familiar in contemporary church settings. The "ugab" is mentioned in the context of joy and celebration, indicating its use in festive occasions and worship.
One of the earliest references to musical instruments, including the "ugab," is found in
Genesis 4:21, where Jubal is described as "the father of all who play the harp and flute." The Berean Standard Bible translates this as: "His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play the harp and flute." This passage highlights the early development of music and its significance in human culture.
In
Job 21:12, the BSB states: "They sing to the tambourine and lyre and make merry at the sound of the flute." Here, the "flute" is likely a reference to the "ugab," illustrating its role in expressions of joy and merriment.
Psalm 150, a psalm of praise, lists various instruments used in worship, though it does not specifically mention the "ugab." However, the spirit of the psalm underscores the use of diverse instruments in praising God: "Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre" (
Psalm 150:3).
Historical and Cultural SignificanceIn ancient Israel, music played a vital role in both religious and secular life. Instruments like the "ugab" were integral to worship, celebrations, and even mourning. The Levites, who were responsible for temple worship, were skilled musicians, and their use of instruments was an essential part of the liturgical practices.
The development of musical instruments in biblical times reflects the broader cultural exchanges in the ancient Near East. Instruments similar to the "ugab" have been found in archaeological sites, indicating their widespread use across different cultures and regions.
Theological ImplicationsFrom a theological perspective, the use of musical instruments, including those akin to the "organ," signifies the human response to God's majesty and grace. Music is portrayed as a divine gift, a means through which believers can express their devotion, gratitude, and joy. The Bible encourages the use of music in worship, as seen in passages like
Ephesians 5:19 : "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord."
In summary, while the modern organ as known today is not directly mentioned in the Bible, the concept of musical instruments, including those similar to the "ugab," is deeply embedded in the biblical tradition. These instruments served as tools for worship and celebration, reflecting the integral role of music in expressing faith and community life.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Organ(Genesis 4:21;Job 21:12;30:31;Psalms 150:4) The Hebrew word thus rendered probably denotes a pipe or perforated wind-instrument. In (Genesis 4:21) it appears to be a general term for all wind-instruments. In (Job 21:12) are enumerated three kinds of musical instruments which are possible under the general terms of the timbrel harp and oryan. Some identify it with the pandean pipe or syrinx an instrument of unquestionably ancient origin, and common in the East. [See Music]
ATS Bible Dictionary
OrganPsalm 150:4, a wind instrument apparently composed of several pipes. It cannot, however, mean the modern organ, which was unknown to the ancients; but refers probably to the ancient syrinx, or pipes, similar to the Pandean pipes, a series of seven or more tubes of unequal length and size, closed at one end, and blown into with the mouth at the other,Genesis 4:21Job 21:12. SeeMUSIC.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Some kind of wind instrument, probably a kind of Pan's pipes (
Genesis 4:21;
Job 21:12;
Psalm 150:4), which consisted of seven or eight reeds of unequal length.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An instrument or medium by which some important action is performed, or an important end accomplished; as, legislatures, courts, armies, tax gatherers, etc., are organs of government.
2. (n.) A natural part or structure in an animal or a plant, capable of performing some special action (termed its function), which is essential to the life or well-being of the whole; as, the heart, lungs, etc., are organs of animals; the root, stem, foliage, etc., are organs of plants.
3. (n.) A component part performing an essential office in the working of any complex machine; as, the cylinder, valves, crank, etc., are organs of the steam engine.
4. (n.) A medium of communication between one person or body and another; as, the secretary of state is the organ of communication between the government and a foreign power; a newspaper is the organ of its editor, or of a party, sect, etc.
5. (n.) A wind instrument containing numerous pipes of various dimensions and kinds, which are filled with wind from a bellows, and played upon by means of keys similar to those of a piano, and sometimes by foot keys or pedals; -- formerly used in the plural, each pipe being considered an organ.
6. (v. t.) To supply with an organ or organs; to fit with organs; to organize.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
ORGANor'-gan.
SeeMUSIC.
Greek
145. aistheterion --organ of perception...organ of perception. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: aistheterion
Phonetic Spelling: (ahee-sthay-tay'-ree-on) Short Definition: perceptive faculty
...203. akrobustia -- the prepuce, foreskin, hence uncircumcision
... From akron and probably a modified form of posthe (the penis or male sexualorgan);
the prepuce; by implication, an uncircumcised (ie Gentile, figuratively...
564. aperitmetos -- uncircumcised
... uncircumcised. 564 (from 1 "without" and 4059 , "circumcise") -- properly, "not
cut around," referring to an maleorgan. 564 ("uncircumcised...
3790. ophrus -- an eyebrow
... Perhaps from optanomai (through the idea of the shading or proximity to theorgan
of vision); the eye-"brow" or forehead, ie (figuratively) the brink of a...
2836. koilia -- belly
... Phonetic Spelling: (koy-lee'-ah) Short Definition: belly, womb, the inner man
Definition: belly, abdomen, heart, a general term covering anyorgan in the...
4998. sophron -- of sound mind, self-controlled
... balance. [The root () is the root of "," the innerorgan (muscle) that regulates
physical life, controlling breathing and heart beat....
3563. nous -- mind, understanding, reason
... the ; mental capacity to exercise reflective thinking. For the believer,
3563 () is theorgan of , through . Ro 12:2,3: " 2 And do...
3510. nephros -- a kidney, fig. the (inmost) mind
... the reins. 3510 -- properly, a visceralorgan ("kidney"); (figuratively)
a person's , particularly as they come to bear on . Philo...
3196. melos -- a member or limb (of the body)
... body). Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: melos Phonetic Spelling:
(mel'-os) Short Definition: a limb, member Definition: a bodilyorgan, limb, member...
4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... NT vol 2, 476). "Faith is theorgan which enables people to see the invisible
order" (F. F. Bruce, , 279). "Faith is knowing what...
Strong's Hebrew
8212. shophkah -- maleorgan... 8211, 8212. shophkah. 8213 . male
organ. Transliteration: shophkah Phonetic
Spelling: (shof-kaw') Short Definition:
organ. Word
...5748. uggab -- (a reed musical instrument) perhaps a flute
...organ. Or buggab {oog-gawb'}; from agab in the original sense of breathing; a
reed-instrument of music --organ. see HEBREW agab. 5747, 5748....
3629. kilyah -- a kidney
... kidneys, reins. Feminine of kliy (only in the plural); a kidney (as an essential
organ); figuratively, the mind (as the interior self) -- kidneys, reins....
2441. chek -- palate, roof of the mouth, gums
... Probably from chanak in the sense of tasting; properly, the palate or inside of
the mouth; hence, the mouth itself (as theorgan of speech, taste and kissing...
3824. lebab -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... From labab; the heart (as the most interiororgan); used also like leb -- + bethink
themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-)heart((-ed...
Library
For the Opening of anOrgan.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCCII. For the Opening of anOrgan. 8.8.8.8 James Montgomery.
For the Opening of anOrgan. The morning stars in concert sang,....
On Opening anOrgan.
... MORNING AND EVENING HYMNS. 984. " On Opening anOrgan. 984. CM H. Ware.
On Opening anOrgan. 1 All nature's works his praise...
Let the DeepOrgan Swell the Lay
... No. 105 Let the deeporgan swell the lay. SAINTS, St. Cecilia Let the deeporgan
swell the lay. Rev. C. Pise Nicola. A. Montani. Marcato....
November the Eighth theOrgan of Spiritual vision
... NOVEMBER The Eighth THEORGAN OF SPIRITUAL VISION. 1 1 Corinthians 2:9-16.
Our finest human instruments fail to obtain for us "the...
Organ Sustains Chords in Recitations
... No. 147Organ sustains chords in recitations. GENERAL The Divine PraisesOrgan sustains
chords in recitations J. Lewis Browne. Slowly. Blessed be God!...
Whether There is any Sorrow Contrary to the Pleasure of...
... Accidentally, however, sorrow is mingled with the pleasure of contemplation; and
this in two ways: first, on the part of anorgan, secondly, through some...
Whether the Intellect Can Actually Understand through the...
... First of all because the intellect, being a power that does not make use of a corporeal
organ, would in no way be hindered in its act through the lesion of a...
Whether virginity Consists in Integrity of the Flesh?
... I think, would be so foolish as to deem this maiden to have forfeited even bodily
sanctity, though she lost the integrity of thatorgan." Therefore virginity...
Whether the Five Exterior Senses are Properly Distinguished?
... Now, for the operation of the senses, a spiritual immutation is required, whereby
an intention of the sensible form is effected in the sensileorgan....
Whether There are to be Distinguished Five Genera of Powers in the...
... There exists, therefore, an operation of the soul which so far exceeds the corporeal
nature that it is not even performed by any corporealorgan; and such is...
Thesaurus
Organ (6 Occurrences)... 4. (n.) A medium of communication between one person or body and another; as, the
secretary of state is the
organ of communication between the government and a
...Eye (145 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Theorgan of sight or vision.... 4. (n.) The action of theorgan of sight;
sight, look; view; ocular knowledge; judgment; opinion....
Fin
... 3. (n.) Anorgan of a fish, consisting of a membrane supported by rays, or little
bony or cartilaginous ossicles, and serving to balance and propel it in the...
Tongue (160 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) anorgan situated in the floor of the mouth
of most vertebrates and connected with the hyoid arch....
Ear (670 Occurrences)
... perpetual servitude (Exodus 21:6). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The
organ of hearing; the external ear. 2. (n.) The sense of...
Nose (23 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The prominent part of the face or anterior extremity of the head containing
the nostrils and olfactory cavities; the olfactoryorgan. See Olfactory....
Jubal (1 Occurrence)
... He was the inventor of "the harp" (Hebrews kinnor, properly "lyre") and "theorgan"
(Hebrews `ugab, properly "mouth-organ" or Pan's pipe), Genesis 4:21. Int....
Irritation (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) The act of exciting, or the condition of being excited to action, by
stimulation; -- as, the condition of anorgan of sense, when its nerve is affected...
Foot (193 Occurrences)
... See Pes. 2. (n.) The muscular locomotiveorgan of a mollusk. It is a median
organ arising from the ventral region of body, often...
Palate (15 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The roof of the mouth; theorgan for tasting.
2. (n.) Relish; taste; liking; -- a sense originating...
Resources
What does the Bible say about organ donation? | GotQuestions.orgHow does creationism explain vestigial organs? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the pineal gland have any spiritual significance? | GotQuestions.orgOrgan: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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