Definition and Description:
Castanets are percussion instruments traditionally made of two small, concave pieces of wood, ivory, or other materials, which are held in the hand and clicked together to produce a rhythmic sound. They are often associated with Spanish music and dance but have been used in various cultures throughout history.

Biblical Context:
While the specific term "castanets" does not appear in the Bible, the concept of percussion instruments is present in the biblical text. Instruments that produce sound by striking or shaking are mentioned in various passages, often in the context of worship and celebration.

Related Biblical Instruments:
In the Bible, instruments such as tambourines and cymbals are frequently mentioned and share similarities with castanets in their use for rhythm and accompaniment. For example, the tambourine, or "timbrel," is often associated with joyous occasions and worship. In Exodus 15:20 , Miriam, the sister of Moses, is described as taking a timbrel in her hand and leading the women in dance after the crossing of the Red Sea: "Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing."

Cultural and Historical Significance:
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, percussion instruments were integral to both secular and sacred music. They were used in various ceremonies, including religious festivals, military victories, and communal celebrations. The rhythmic sound of instruments like castanets would have been familiar in the cultural milieu of the biblical world, even if not explicitly mentioned in the text.

Symbolism and Worship:
Percussion instruments, including those similar to castanets, symbolize joy, celebration, and the communal aspect of worship. Psalm 150:4 encourages the use of various instruments in praising God: "Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute." This verse highlights the role of music and rhythm in expressing devotion and exultation.

Conclusion:
While castanets as a specific instrument are not directly referenced in the Bible, their function and use can be understood through the broader context of biblical percussion instruments. They serve as a reminder of the rich musical heritage in biblical worship and the enduring role of rhythm in expressing joy and praise to God.(n. pl.) Two small, concave shells of ivory or hard wood, shaped like spoons, fastened to the thumb, and beaten together with the middle finger; -- used by the Spaniards and Moors as an accompaniment to their dance and guitars.CASTANETS

kas'-ta-nets, kas-ta-nets' (mena`an`im): Are mentioned in 2 Samuel 6:5 among the musical instruments upon which David and the house of Israel played at the time of the bringing up of the ark out of the house of Abinadab. This word is incorrectly translated "cornets" in the King James Version. The castanet was probably about the same kind of instrument as the Egyptian sistrum, and the Revised Version (British and American) has "sistra" in the margin of 2 Samuel 6:5. The sialrum was a loop-shaped metal frame through which were passed loose rods at the ends of which were rings. The instrument was held by a long handle and was rattled during songs and dances. It was used in Egypt in religious worship or to scare away evil influences. There is only the one reference to this instrument in the Bible.

A. W. Fortune

4517. menaanea -- probably (a kind of musical) rattle
... 4516, 4517. menaanea. 4518 . probably (a kind of musical) rattle. Transliteration:
menaanea Phonetic Spelling: (men-ah-ah') Short Definition: castanets. ...
/hebrew/4517.htm - 6k

Was it for this He Sent Souls, that Some Should Infest the ...
... swell out their cheeks in blowing the flute; that they should take the lead in singing
impure songs, and raising the loud din of the castanets, [3706] by which ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/42 was it for this.htm

That the Inventors of Other Arts were Mostly Barbarians.
... The Sicilians, close to Italy, were the first inventors of the phorminx, which
is not much inferior to the lyre. And they invented castanets. ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xvi that the inventors of.htm

Jerusalem Made the Capital City
... David and all the people of Israel danced before Jehovah with all their might to
the music of harps and lyres and drums and castanets and cymbals. ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jerusalem made the capital city.htm

But Let There Be, as You Wish, Honour in Wine and in Incense...
... [4916] What effect has the clattering of castanets, that when the deities have heard
them, they think that honour has been shown to them, and lay aside their ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/32 but let there be.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9. <. ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

Castanets (1 Occurrence)
... guitars. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CASTANETS. kas'-ta ... Bible. AW Fortune.
Multi-Version Concordance Castanets (1 Occurrence). 2 Samuel ...
/c/castanets.htm - 8k

Cymbals (15 Occurrences)
... consisting of two convex pieces of brass one held in each hand, which were clashed
together to produce a loud clanging sound; castanets; "loud cymbals ...
/c/cymbals.htm - 13k

Lyres (21 Occurrences)
... Yahweh with all manner of instruments made of fir wood, and with harps, and with
stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with castanets, and with ...
/l/lyres.htm - 13k

Fir-wood (4 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/f/fir-wood.htm - 7k

Tambourines (13 Occurrences)
... Yahweh with all manner of instruments made of fir wood, and with harps, and with
stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with castanets, and with ...
/t/tambourines.htm - 10k

Music (143 Occurrences)
... (4.) The menaan'im, used only in 2 Samuel 6:5, rendered "cornets" (RV, "castanets");
in the Vulgate, "sistra," an instrument of agitation. ...
/m/music.htm - 78k

Cypress-wood (6 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/c/cypress-wood.htm - 8k

Castaway (1 Occurrence)

/c/castaway.htm - 8k

Celebrating (7 Occurrences)
... Yahweh with all manner of instruments made of fir wood, and with harps, and with
stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with castanets, and with ...
/c/celebrating.htm - 8k

Stringed (34 Occurrences)
... Yahweh with all manner of instruments made of fir wood, and with harps, and with
stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with castanets, and with ...
/s/stringed.htm - 18k

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