Topical Encyclopedia
The dulcimer is a musical instrument mentioned in the context of ancient Babylonian culture, specifically within the Book of Daniel. The term "dulcimer" appears in the King James Version of the Bible, but it is important to note that the Berean Standard Bible translates this instrument as "pipes" in the relevant passages. The instrument is associated with the worship practices and idolatrous ceremonies of King Nebuchadnezzar's court.
Biblical References:The primary reference to the dulcimer is found in the Book of Daniel, during the account of the golden image set up by King Nebuchadnezzar. The king commanded that at the sound of various musical instruments, including the dulcimer, all people were to fall down and worship the image. The BSB translates this passage as follows:
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Daniel 3:5 : "As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up."
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Daniel 3:7 : "Therefore, as soon as all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, and all kinds of music, they fell down and worshiped the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up."
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Daniel 3:10 : "You, O king, have issued a decree that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the golden statue."
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Daniel 3:15 : "Now, if you are ready, as soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the statue I have made."
Historical and Cultural Context:The dulcimer, as referenced in the Book of Daniel, is believed to be a type of ancient stringed instrument, possibly similar to a zither or lyre. The term "dulcimer" in the King James Version is derived from the Aramaic word "sumponyah," which some scholars suggest may have been a type of bagpipe or a wind instrument, hence the BSB's translation as "pipes."
In the context of Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon, music played a significant role in religious and state ceremonies. The ensemble of instruments mentioned in
Daniel 3 highlights the grandeur and the coercive power of the king's decree, as music was used to unify and command the populace in acts of worship.
Theological Significance:The mention of the dulcimer in the Book of Daniel serves as a backdrop to the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who refused to bow down to the golden image. Their defiance and subsequent deliverance from the fiery furnace underscore the theme of faithfulness to God amidst idolatrous pressures. The use of music in this narrative illustrates the cultural and spiritual challenges faced by the Jewish exiles in Babylon.
The dulcimer, as part of the musical ensemble, symbolizes the allure and pressure of conforming to pagan practices. For believers, this account serves as a reminder of the importance of steadfastness in faith and the rejection of idolatry, regardless of societal pressures or consequences.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Dulcimer(Heb. sumphoniah) a musical instrument, mentioned in (Daniel 3:5,15) probably the bagpipe. The same instrument is still in use amongst peasants in the northwest of Asia and in southern Europe, where it is known by the similar name sampogna or zampogna.
ATS Bible Dictionary
DulcimerDaniel 3:5,10, an instrument of music, which the rabbins describe as a sort of bagpipe, composed of two pipes connected with a leathern sack, and of a harsh, screaming sound. The modern dulcimer is an instrument of a triangular form, strung with about fifty wires, and struck with an iron key while lying on the table before the performer. See MUSIC.
Easton's Bible Dictionary
(Hebrews sumphoniah), a musical instrument mentioned in
Dan. 3:5, 15, along with other instruments there named, as sounded before the golden image. It was not a Jewish instrument. In the margin of the Revised Version it is styled the "bag-pipe." Luther translated it "lute," and Grotius the "crooked trumpet." It is probable that it was introduced into Babylon by some Greek or Western-Asiatic musician. Some Rabbinical commentators render it by "organ," the well-known instrument composed of a series of pipes, others by "lyre." The most probable interpretation is that it was a bag-pipe similar to the zampagna of Southern Europe.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) An instrument, having stretched metallic wires which are beaten with two light hammers held in the hands of the performer.
2. (n.) An ancient musical instrument in use among the Jews. Dan. iii. 5. It is supposed to be the same with the psaltery.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
DULCIMERdul'-si-mer. See MUSIC under Nebhel and Sumphonia.
Strong's Hebrew
5481. sumponeyah -- a bagpipe... dulcimer. (Aramaic
... Dan. 3:10) (Aramaic) {see-fo-neh-yaw'}; of Greek origin;
a bagpipe (with a double pipe) --
dulcimer. 5480b, 5481.
... Library
The Next Morning, Diamond's Mother Said to his Father...
... "Think of a fat angel, Dulcimer!" said Diamond. ... "Think of a red, fat angel, Dulcimer!"
he repeated; "for Ruby's an angel of a horse, Dulcimer. ...
Mr. ...
... At times they would be but bubbles blown out of a nursery rhyme, as was the following,
which I heard him sing one evening to his little Dulcimer. ...
The Lord Coming to his Temple
... awaiting them if they continue obstinate, is sung for their diversion, accompanied
with the sound of cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all ...
Ode vii.
... blest!". Joined with the trumpet-peal, the din and shout,. Cornet flute, sackbut,
dulcimer rang out,. And bade adore the golden deity: ...
Harmless Fires
... Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp,
sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and ...
Music (Christmas Day. )
... If thou art in love and charity with thy neighbours, thou art making sweeter harmony
in the ears of the Lord Jesus Christ, than psaltery, dulcimer, and all ...
The Holy Spirit's Chief Office
... Coronet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music are for
Nebuchadnezzar's golden image; but as for our God, our one harp is Christ ...
An Exhortation to the People Respecting Fortitude and Patience...
... To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages, that at what time ye hear
the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all ...
Three Names High on the Muster-Roll
... In an age like ours, when everything is sold, when you can buy anybody, when the
flute, harp, sackbut, dulcimer, and all kinds of music carry everything before ...
The Mustard Seed: a Sermon for the Sabbath-School Teacher
... Nebuchadnezzar had his flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of
music, but all that mingled sound could not rival the melody of birds. ...
Thesaurus
Dulcimer (3 Occurrences)... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
DULCIMER. dul'-si-mer. See MUSIC under Nebhel
and Sumphonia. Multi-Version Concordance
Dulcimer (3 Occurrences).
...Musick (10 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the ...
Psaltery (17 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the ...
Cornet (8 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the ...
Sackbut (4 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the ...
Music (143 Occurrences)
... (6.) The sumponyah, rendered "dulcimer" (Dan. ... The supposition that the
nebhel was a dulcimer is not without some justification. ...
Trigon (3 Occurrences)
... Daniel 3:5 that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut,
psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and worship the ...
Dukes (14 Occurrences)
Dull (16 Occurrences)
Resources
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