2 Samuel 6:5
New International Version
David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the LORD, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals.

New Living Translation
David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.

English Standard Version
And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.

Berean Standard Bible
David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals.

King James Bible
And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.

New King James Version
Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the LORD on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals.

New American Standard Bible
Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of juniper wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.

NASB 1995
Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals.

NASB 1977
Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before Yahweh with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.

Amplified Bible
Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating and dancing before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of fir or cypress wood, with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.

Christian Standard Bible
David and the whole house of Israel were dancing before the LORD with all kinds of fir wood instruments, lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of fir wood instruments, lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals.

American Standard Version
And David and all the house of Israel played before Jehovah with all manner of instruments made of fir-wood, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with castanets, and with cymbals.

Contemporary English Version
Some of the people of Israel were playing music on small harps and other stringed instruments, and on tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. David and the others were happy, and they danced for the LORD with all their might.

English Revised Version
And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD with all manner of instruments made of fir wood, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with castanets, and with cymbals.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David and the entire nation of Israel were celebrating in the LORD's presence with all kinds of instruments made from cypress wood and with lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals.

Good News Translation
David and all the Israelites were dancing and singing with all their might to honor the LORD. They were playing harps, lyres, drums, rattles, and cymbals.

International Standard Version
David and the entire assembly of Israel were dancing in the presence of the LORD with all of their strength, accompanied by all sorts of wood instruments, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals.

Majority Standard Bible
David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals.

NET Bible
while David and all Israel were energetically celebrating before the LORD, singing and playing various stringed instruments, tambourines, rattles, and cymbals.

New Heart English Bible
And David and the children of Israel played before the LORD with all their strength and with songs, and with harps, and with stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with castanets, and with cymbals.

Webster's Bible Translation
And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.

World English Bible
David and all the house of Israel played before Yahweh with all kinds of instruments made of cypress wood, with harps, with stringed instruments, with tambourines, with castanets, and with cymbals.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and David and all the house of Israel are playing before YHWH, with all kinds of [instruments] of fir-wood, even with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with horns, and with cymbals.

Young's Literal Translation
and David and all the house of Israel are playing before Jehovah, with all kinds of instruments of fir-wood, even with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cornets, and with cymbals.

Smith's Literal Translation
And David and all the house of Israel playing before Jehovah upon all cypress woods, and upon harps, and upon lyres and upon drums, and upon timbrels and upon cymbals.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
But David and all Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of wood, on harps and lutes and timbrels and cornets and cymbals.

Catholic Public Domain Version
But David and all of Israel played before the Lord on every kind of musical instrument made of wood, and on harps, and lyres, and timbrels, and bells, and cymbals.

New American Bible
while David and all the house of Israel danced before the LORD with all their might, with singing, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals.

New Revised Standard Version
David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the LORD with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And David and all the house of Israel danced before the LORD waving branches of cedar trees and cypress, and played upon harps and lyres and timbrels and cornets and cymbals.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David and all the house of Israel made merry before LORD JEHOVAH with branches of cedar and of cypress and with harps and with lyres and with tambourines and with timbrels and with cymbals
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD with all manner of instruments made of cypress-wood, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with sistra, and with cymbals.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David and the children of Israel were playing before the Lord on well-tuned instruments mightily, and with songs, and with harps, and with lutes, and with drums, and with cymbals, and with pipes.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Uzzah Touches the Ark
5David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals. 6When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled.…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 13:8
David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets.

Psalm 150:3-5
Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre. / Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute. / Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals.

1 Chronicles 15:16
David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to lift up their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals.

1 Chronicles 15:28
So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and with cymbals and the music of harps and lyres.

1 Chronicles 16:42
Heman and Jeduthun had with them trumpets and cymbals for the music and instruments for the songs of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were stationed at the gate.

Psalm 81:1-2
For the choirmaster. According to Gittith. Of Asaph. Sing for joy to God our strength; make a joyful noise to the God of Jacob. / Lift up a song, strike the tambourine, play the sweet-sounding harp and lyre.

Psalm 98:4-6
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth—let your cry ring out, and sing praises! / Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, in melodious song with the harp. / With trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn shout for joy before the LORD, the King.

Psalm 149:3
Let them praise His name with dancing, and make music to Him with tambourine and harp.

Exodus 15:20-21
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. / And Miriam sang back to them: “Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.”

1 Chronicles 23:5
4,000 are to be gatekeepers, and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I have made for giving praise.”

1 Chronicles 25:1-6
Additionally, David and the commanders of the army set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy with the accompaniment of lyres, harps, and cymbals. The following is the list of the men who performed this service: / From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. These sons of Asaph were under the direction of Asaph, who prophesied under the direction of the king. / From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all—under the direction of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with the harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD. ...

2 Chronicles 5:12-13
all the Levitical singers—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and their sons and relatives—stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps, and lyres, accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. / The trumpeters and singers joined together to praise and thank the LORD with one voice. They lifted up their voices, accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and musical instruments, in praise to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.” And the temple, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud

2 Chronicles 29:25-30
Hezekiah stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the command of David, of Gad the king’s seer, and of Nathan the prophet. For the command had come from the LORD through His prophets. / The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. / And Hezekiah ordered that the burnt offering be sacrificed on the altar. When the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD and the trumpets began as well, accompanied by the instruments of David king of Israel. ...

Nehemiah 12:27
At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from all their homes and brought to Jerusalem to celebrate the joyous dedication with thanksgiving and singing, accompanied by cymbals, harps, and lyres.

Isaiah 38:20
The LORD will save me; we will play songs on stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the house of the LORD.


Treasury of Scripture

And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on tambourines, and on cornets, and on cymbals.

David

1 Samuel 10:5
After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:

1 Samuel 16:16
Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.

2 Kings 3:15
But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.

on all manner.

1 Chronicles 13:8
And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.

Jump to Previous
Brass Celebrating Corded Cornets Cymbals Cypress-Wood David Fir Fir-Wood Harps House Instruments Israel Kinds Lyres Making Manner Meanwhile Melody Merry Played Playing Power Psalteries Stringed Tambourines Tambours Timbrels Wood
Jump to Next
Brass Celebrating Corded Cornets Cymbals Cypress-Wood David Fir Fir-Wood Harps House Instruments Israel Kinds Lyres Making Manner Meanwhile Melody Merry Played Playing Power Psalteries Stringed Tambourines Tambours Timbrels Wood
2 Samuel 6
1. David fetches the ark from Kirjath Jearim on a new cart,
6. Uzzah is smitten at Perez Uzzah
9. God blesses Obed-Edom for the ark
12. David brings the ark into Zion with sacrifices, and dances before it;
16. for which Michal despises him
17. He places it in a tabernacle with great joy and feasting
20. Michal, reproving David for his joy, is childless to her death














David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD
This phrase highlights the communal nature of worship in ancient Israel, emphasizing the unity of the nation under King David's leadership. The celebration was a national event, reflecting the collective joy and reverence for the LORD. The context is the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, a significant religious and political event. The Ark symbolized God's presence, and its return marked a spiritual renewal for Israel. This celebration can be compared to other communal worship events in the Bible, such as the dedication of Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 8) and the Passover celebrations (Exodus 12).

with all kinds of wood instruments
The use of wood instruments indicates the variety and richness of the musical worship. Instruments made from wood were common in ancient Israel, and their inclusion in worship signifies the use of available resources to honor God. This phrase suggests a diversity of sounds and a full orchestration, reflecting the creativity and skill of the musicians. The use of instruments in worship is seen throughout the Psalms, where music is a central element of praise (Psalm 150).

harps
Harps were stringed instruments often associated with joy and worship. David himself was known for playing the harp, which he used to soothe King Saul (1 Samuel 16:23). The harp's inclusion in this celebration connects to David's personal history and his role as a musician and worship leader. Harps are frequently mentioned in the Psalms, underscoring their importance in Israelite worship (Psalm 33:2).

stringed instruments
This phrase encompasses a variety of instruments, including lyres and lutes, which were common in ancient Near Eastern music. Stringed instruments were versatile and could produce a range of sounds, from joyful to mournful. Their use in worship highlights the emotional depth and expressiveness of Israel's musical tradition. The inclusion of stringed instruments in worship is echoed in the Psalms, where they are often called upon to praise God (Psalm 92:3).

tambourines
Tambourines were percussion instruments associated with dance and celebration. They were often played by women, as seen in the victory song of Miriam after the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20). The tambourine's rhythmic sound added energy and movement to the worship, symbolizing joy and triumph. Its use in this context reflects the celebratory nature of the event and the spontaneous expression of worship.

sistrums
Sistrums were ancient percussion instruments, similar to rattles, used in religious ceremonies. Although more commonly associated with Egyptian worship, their presence here indicates cultural exchange and the adoption of diverse musical elements in Israelite worship. The sistrum's distinctive sound would have added a unique texture to the music, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere.

and cymbals
Cymbals were loud, clashing instruments used to mark significant moments in worship. Their sound was attention-grabbing, symbolizing the grandeur and majesty of God. Cymbals are mentioned in several Psalms as instruments of praise (Psalm 150:5), and their use here underscores the intensity and exuberance of the celebration. The inclusion of cymbals highlights the importance of worship as a multisensory experience, engaging both the participants and the divine.

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
The King of Israel, a man after God's own heart, leading the celebration as the Ark of the Covenant is being transported.

2. The House of Israel
Represents the people of Israel who are participating in the celebration, signifying national unity and worship.

3. The Ark of the Covenant
A sacred chest symbolizing God's presence and covenant with Israel, being moved to Jerusalem.

4. Musical Instruments
Various instruments used in worship, indicating the joy and reverence of the occasion.

5. Celebration Before the LORD
A communal act of worship and joy, expressing reverence and gratitude to God.
Teaching Points
The Joy of Worship
Worship should be a joyful expression of our love and reverence for God, as demonstrated by David and the Israelites.

Unity in Worship
The entire house of Israel participated, showing the importance of communal worship and unity in the body of Christ.

The Role of Music in Worship
Music is a powerful tool for expressing worship and can be used to glorify God in diverse ways.

Reverence for God's Presence
The Ark symbolized God's presence, reminding us to approach worship with reverence and awe.

Celebration in God's Presence
Worship is not just a duty but a celebration of God's goodness and faithfulness.(5) Played.--This word means dancing accompanied by music. (See 1Samuel 18:7; 1Samuel 21:11, 1Chronicles 13:8; 1Chronicles 15:29, &c.)

On all manner of instruments made of fir wood.--Instead of this strange expression, the parallel passage in 1Chronicles 13:8 has "with all their might and with songs." The difference between the two is very slight in the Hebrew, and it is generally thought that the latter is the correct reading. The variation, however, mast have been ancient, since the LXX. combines the two. . . .

Verse 5. - Played. The word does not mean "played on a musical instrument," but "danced and rejoiced." On all manner... of fir wood. The Hebrew literally is, with all cypress woods. In 1 Chronicles 13:8 we find "with all their might, even with songs," etc. Gesenius, in his 'History of the Hebrew Language,' describes this as a mere guess at a misunderstood text, and Maurer ridicules it as a stupid emendation. More sensibly Thenius regards it as the right reading, and the words here as a corruption of it, caused by some scribe misspelling the words, which are nearly identical. In our version the ambiguous meaning of the word "played" makes the passage less startling. For "they danced with all cypress woods" is unintelligible. The musical instruments mentioned here are the harp, Hebrew chinnor, a guitar; the psaltery, Hebrew nebel, a kind of harp of a triangular shape, with the point downwards; the timbrel, Hebrew tof, a tambourine or small drum; the cornet, Hebrew mena'na', a bar on which were a number of loose metal rings, which were shaken in time to the music, but others think that "castanets" are meant, which are pieces of wood beaten in time. The Revised Version adopts this rendering. And finally cymbals. For "cornets" we find in the parallel place "trumpets," whence the translators of the Authorized Version took their rendering; but the Hebrew word means "things to shake."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
David
וְדָוִ֣ד ׀ (wə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

and all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the house
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

were celebrating
מְשַֽׂחֲקִים֙ (mə·śa·ḥă·qîm)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 7832: To laugh, to play

before
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the LORD
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

with all kinds
בְּכֹ֖ל (bə·ḵōl)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

of wood [instruments],
עֲצֵ֣י (‘ă·ṣê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

harps,
וּבְכִנֹּר֤וֹת (ū·ḇə·ḵin·nō·rō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3658: A harp

stringed instruments,
וּבִנְבָלִים֙ (ū·ḇin·ḇā·lîm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5035: A skin-bag for, liquids, a vase, a lyre

tambourines,
וּבְתֻפִּ֔ים (ū·ḇə·ṯup·pîm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8596: A timbrel, tambourine

sistrums,
וּבִמְנַֽעַנְעִ֖ים (ū·ḇim·na·‘an·‘îm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4517: Probably (a kind of musical) rattle

and cymbals.
וּֽבְצֶלְצֶלִֽים׃ (ū·ḇə·ṣel·ṣe·lîm)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6767: A clatter, whirring, a cricket, a harpoon, a cymbal


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OT History: 2 Samuel 6:5 David and all the house of Israel (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
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