Musical instruments in the Bible

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Authors
Kroeze, Sylvia
Advisor
Issue Date
1963
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Thesis (M.A.)
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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to arrive at a clearer understanding of the musical instruments in the Bible. The Biblical passages relating to musical instruments are obscure and meager, and the terminologies for the instruments are unclear with extremely sparse explanations. Published materials written by music scholars and Bible commentators on this subject are scarce, and, furthermore, are often contradictory because of unfounded hypotheses and illusions.For the purpose of clarity and orderliness, a chart was made with four specific parts: (1) all Scripture passages referring to musical instruments, (2) the Hebrew (or sometimes, Aramaic) word equivalent of the English names for the instruments in the King James' Version, (3) the instruments that were probably actually inferred, and (4) the purposes for which the instruments were used.The greater portion of the research and investigation involved in this study was given to the task of properly identifying the instruments that were actually inferred. For example, an attempt was made to identify the instrument referred as "organ" in Genesis 4:21. Obviously, it was notan instrument like the modern-day organ, or even earlier, organs therefore, an effort was made to make the correct identification.The study of musical instruments in the Bible led to a further knowledge and understanding of the little-known facts in this area of music history. A finer sense of perspicacity was gained of the role that ancient Hebrew music played in general music history and in church music.

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