probably the apocopated (i.e., shortened) plural, rendered, Authorized
Version, “whereby,” and in the Revised Version “stringed instruments.”
(6.) Machalath, in the titles of Psalm 53 and 88; supposed to be a kind of
lute or guitar.
Of wind instruments mention is made of, (1.) The ‘ugab (Genesis 4:21; Job
21:12; 30:31), probably the so-called Pan’s pipes or syrinx. (2.) The qeren
or “horn” (Joshua 6:5; 1 Chronicles 25:5). (3.) The shophar, rendered
“trumpet” (Joshua 6:4, 6, 8). The word means “bright,” and may have
been so called from the clear, shrill sound it emitted. It was often used
(Exodus 19:13; Numbers 10:10; Judges 7:16, 18; 1 Samuel 13:3). (4.) The
hatsotserah, or straight trumpet (Psalm 98:6; Numbers 10:1-10). This
name is supposed by some to be an onomatopoetic word, intended to
imitate the pulse-like sound of the trumpet, like the Latin taratantara.
Some have identified it with the modern trombone. (5.) The halil, i.e,
“bored through,” a flute or pipe (1 Samuel 10:5; 1 Kings 1:40; Isaiah 5:12;
Jeremiah 48:36) which is still used in Palestine. (6.) The sumponyah,
rendered “dulcimer” (Daniel 3:5), probably a sort of bagpipe. (7.) The
maskrokith’a (Daniel 3:5), rendered “flute,” but its precise nature is
unknown.
Of instruments of percussion mention is made of, (1.) The toph, an
instrument of the drum kind, rendered “timbrel” (Exodus 15:20; Job 21:12;
Psalm 68:25); also “tabret” (Genesis 31:27; Isaiah 24:8; 1 Samuel 10:5).
(2.) The paamon, the “bells” on the robe of the high priest (Exodus 28:33;
39:25). (3.) The tseltselim, “cymbals” (2 Samuel 6:5; Psalm 150:5), which
are struck together and produce a loud, clanging sound. Metsilloth, “bells”
on horses and camels for ornament, and metsiltayim, “cymbals” (1
Chronicles 13:8; Ezra 3:10, etc.). These words are all derived from the
same root, tsalal, meaning “to tinkle.” (4.) The menaan’im, used only in 2
Samuel 6:5, rendered “cornets” (R.V., “castanets”); in the Vulgate, “sistra,”
an instrument of agitation. (5.) The shalishim, mentioned only in 1 Samuel
18:6, rendered “instruments of music” (marg. of R.V., “triangles or
three-stringed instruments”).
The words in Ecclesiastes 2:8, “musical instruments, and that of all sorts,”
Authorized Version, are in the Revised Version “concubines very many.”
- MUSTARD a plant of the genus sinapis, a pod-bearing, shrub-like plant,
growing wild, and also cultivated in gardens. The little round seeds were an