4953. mashroqi
Lexical Summary
mashroqi: Whistle, pipe

Original Word: מַשְׁרוֹקִי
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: mashrowqiy
Pronunciation: mash-ro-KEE
Phonetic Spelling: (mash-ro-kee')
KJV: flute
NASB: flute
Word Origin: [(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to H8319 (שָׁרַק - hiss)]

1. a (musical) pipe (from its whistling sound)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
flute

(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to sharaq; a (musical) pipe (from its whistling sound) -- flute.

see HEBREW sharaq

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
(Aramaic) from a root corresponding to sharaq
Definition
a (musical) pipe
NASB Translation
flute (4).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
[מַשְׁרוֺקִי] noun feminine pipe (compare Syriac (rare)); — emphatic מַשְׁרוֺקִיתָא Daniel 3:5,7,15, ׳מַשְׁרֹק Daniel 3:10.

Topical Lexicon
Hebrew Term and Instrument Family

מַשְׁרוֹקִי (mashroqî) designates a wind instrument, usually translated “pipe” or “flute.” It belongs to the family of reed or woodwind pipes that produce sound by the player’s breath passing through a narrow aperture. While similar instruments appear throughout the Ancient Near East, the biblical usage highlights a specific cultural setting in Babylon.

Occurrences in Scripture

The word appears only in Daniel 3:5, Daniel 3:7, Daniel 3:10, and Daniel 3:15. Each occurrence is embedded in the royal decree requiring every listener to fall down and worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image when “you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes, and all kinds of music” (Daniel 3:5).

Historical and Cultural Background

Ancient Babylonian courts employed elaborate musical ensembles for both civic and religious ceremonies. Archaeological finds, iconography, and cuneiform texts attest that flutes and double-pipes accompanied large orchestras in processions honoring deities or monarchs. The mashroqî, likely a reed flute carved from cane or wood, fit naturally into this orchestra. Its bright, penetrating tone could lead a procession or signal a moment of communal action, explaining its presence in the king’s syncretistic worship service.

Role in the Narrative of Daniel 3

The mashroqî is listed among six other instruments that together create an atmosphere of overwhelming sensory compulsion. When the music sounded, the people “fell down and worshiped the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up” (Daniel 3:7). The term therefore functions literarily as part of the machinery of idolatry—an audible cue designed to synchronize the empire in false worship. Against this backdrop, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’s refusal to bow (Daniel 3:16–18) shines more brightly, revealing faithful resistance amid cultural pressure.

Theological Insights

1. Worship Directed by Command vs. Worship Born of Covenant

The Babylonian decree harnesses music to enforce outward conformity. In contrast, biblical worship springs from covenant relationship and inner devotion (Psalm 40:8). The narrative warns that art forms can be co-opted for idolatry when detached from truth.

2. The Moral Neutrality of Instrumentation

Scripture does not condemn the flute itself; Psalm 150:4 blesses the use of “flute” (ḥalil) in praise of the LORD. The ethical value of music lies in its purpose and object. The same breath-driven instrument can either exalt idols or exalt God.

3. Typology of the End-Time Image

Revelation 13 describes an image empowered by the beast, urging the nations to worship. Daniel’s pipe-accompanied image foreshadows end-time pressures, reminding believers to heed the voice of God above the clamor of culture.

Applications for Worship and Discipleship

• Discernment in Artistic Expression—Church musicians should examine whether their art directs hearts toward Christ or merely entertains.
• Courageous Non-conformity—Believers facing societal mandates that conflict with Scripture can draw strength from Daniel’s friends who resisted when “the sound of...pipes” demanded compromise.
• Corporate Unity—While the Babylonian orchestra pressed for uniform idolatry, the Church is called to unity in truth, “with one mind and one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:6).

Related Scriptures and Musical Imagery

Genesis 4:21 – Jubal as “father of all who play the lyre and flute,” marking music as an early human vocation.

Psalm 150:3–4 – Flutes listed among instruments praising God.

Isaiah 30:29 – “You will have songs as in the night you celebrate a holy festival… and music of flutes,” picturing joyful worship.

Revelation 18:22 – The cessation of flute music in fallen Babylon, contrasting with the false worship scene of Daniel 3.

Summary

מַשְׁרוֹקִי underscores how music, though a gracious gift, can be diverted toward idolatry. Its fourfold appearance frames a account of faithful resistance, urging every generation to ensure that the sounds filling their ears lead not to golden images but to the living God who alone is worthy of worship.

Forms and Transliterations
מַ֠שְׁרֹקִיתָא מַ֠שְׁרוֹקִיתָא מַשְׁר֨וֹקִיתָ֜א מַשְׁרוֹקִיתָ֣א משרוקיתא משרקיתא maš·rō·qî·ṯā maš·rō·w·qî·ṯā Mashrokita mašrōqîṯā mašrōwqîṯā
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Englishman's Concordance
Daniel 3:5
HEB: קָ֣ל קַרְנָ֣א מַ֠שְׁרוֹקִיתָא [קִיתָרֹוס כ]
NAS: of the horn, flute, lyre,
KJV: of the cornet, flute, harp,
INT: the sound of the horn flute harp trigon

Daniel 3:7
HEB: קָ֣ל קַרְנָא֩ מַשְׁר֨וֹקִיתָ֜א [קִיתָרֹס כ]
NAS: of the horn, flute, lyre,
KJV: of the cornet, flute, harp,
INT: the sound of the horn flute harp trigon

Daniel 3:10
HEB: קָ֣ל קַרְנָ֣א מַ֠שְׁרֹקִיתָא [קִיתָרֹס כ]
NAS: of the horn, flute, lyre,
KJV: of the cornet, flute, harp,
INT: the sound of the horn flute harp trigon

Daniel 3:15
HEB: קָ֣ל קַרְנָ֣א מַשְׁרוֹקִיתָ֣א [קִיתָרֹס כ]
NAS: of the horn, flute, lyre,
KJV: of the cornet, flute, harp,
INT: the sound of the horn flute harp trigon

4 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 4953
4 Occurrences


maš·rō·w·qî·ṯā — 4 Occ.

4952
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