2789. kitharizó

Lexicon

kitharizó: To play the harp, to make music

Original Word: κιθαρίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: kitharizó
Pronunciation: kee-thar-ID-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (kith-ar-id'-zo)
Definition: To play the harp, to make music
Meaning: intrans. and trans: I play on the harp, I harp, with acc. of the tune.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

harp.

From kithara; to play on a lyre -- harp.

see GREEK kithara

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from kithara
Definition
to play on the lyre
NASB Translation
harp (1), playing (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2789: κιθαρίζω

κιθαρίζω; present passive participle κιθαριζόμενος; to play upon the harp ((see the preceding word)): with ἐν ταῖς κιθάραις added (A. V. harping with their harps), Revelation 14:2; τό κιθαριζόμενον, what is harped, 1 Corinthians 14:7. (Isaiah 23:16; in the Greek writings from Homer, Iliad 18, 570 down.)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from κιθάρα (kithara), which refers to a type of ancient stringed instrument similar to a lyre or harp.

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H3658 כִּנּוֹר (kinnor): Refers to a harp or lyre, a stringed instrument used in Hebrew worship and music.
• H5059 נָגַן (nagan): To play a stringed instrument, often used in the context of worship and celebration.

The practice of κιθαρίζω, or playing stringed instruments, underscores the importance of music in expressing faith and devotion, serving as a bridge between the earthly and the divine in both personal and communal worship settings.

Usage: The term κιθαρίζω is used in the context of playing music, specifically with stringed instruments. It is associated with worship, celebration, and the expression of joy through music.

Context: The Greek verb κιθαρίζω appears in the context of musical expression, particularly in the worship and praise of God. In the ancient world, the kithara was a prominent instrument used in both secular and sacred settings. The act of playing the kithara, or κιθαρίζω, was often associated with skilled musicianship and was integral to various forms of cultural and religious ceremonies.

In the New Testament, the concept of making music with stringed instruments is often linked to the worship practices of the early Christian community. While the specific term κιθαρίζω does not appear frequently in the New Testament, the idea of using music to glorify God is a recurring theme. For example, in Revelation 14:2 (BSB), the sound of harpists playing their harps is described as part of the heavenly worship scene: "And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The sound I heard was like harpists strumming their harps."

The use of stringed instruments in worship is also reflected in the Psalms, where the psalmists frequently call for the use of the harp and lyre to praise God. This tradition carried into the early church, where music played a vital role in communal worship and personal devotion.

Forms and Transliterations

κιθαριζομενον κιθαριζόμενον κιθαριζοντων κιθαριζόντων κιθάρισον kitharizomenon kitharizómenon kitharizonton kitharizontōn kitharizónton kitharizóntōn

Englishman's Concordance

1 Corinthians 14:7 V-PPM/P-NNS
GRK: ἢ τὸ κιθαριζόμενον
NAS: or on the harp?
KJV: what is piped or harped?
INT: or being harped

Revelation 14:2 V-PPA-GMP
GRK: ὡς κιθαρῳδῶν κιθαριζόντων ἐν ταῖς
NAS: [the sound] of harpists playing on their harps.
KJV: of harpers harping with
INT: like that of harpists harping with the

Strong's Greek 2789
2 Occurrences

κιθαριζόμενον — 1 Occ.
κιθαριζόντων — 1 Occ.