Flute-players, or musicians who play the flute, are mentioned in the Bible in contexts that often involve mourning or celebration. The flute, a woodwind instrument, was commonly used in ancient Israel and surrounding cultures for various occasions, both joyous and somber.

Biblical References:

1. Mourning and Lamentation:
Flute-players are notably associated with mourning rituals. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus encounters flute-players at the house of a synagogue leader whose daughter had died. The presence of flute-players indicates a traditional mourning practice. Jesus says to them, "Go away, for the girl is not dead but asleep." And they laughed at Him (Matthew 9:24). This passage highlights the cultural role of flute-players in expressing communal grief.

2. Celebration and Joy:
While the Bible does not explicitly mention flute-players in the context of celebration as frequently as in mourning, the instrument itself is associated with joy and festivity in other ancient Near Eastern texts and practices. The Psalms, for example, often call for the use of various instruments in worship and celebration, though the flute is not specifically named in these instances.

3. Symbolism and Metaphor:
The sound of the flute is sometimes used metaphorically in Scripture to convey a message or emotion. In 1 Corinthians 14:7, Paul uses the flute as an example to illustrate the importance of clarity in communication: "Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune unless the notes are distinct?" . Here, the flute serves as a metaphor for the need for clear and understandable speech, particularly in the context of spiritual gifts.

Cultural Context:

In ancient Israel, music played a significant role in both religious and social life. Instruments like the flute were integral to various ceremonies and gatherings. The flute, likely made from reed or wood, produced a soft, melodic sound suitable for both lamentation and celebration. Its use in mourning rituals, as seen in the New Testament, reflects a broader cultural practice where music was employed to express deep emotions and facilitate communal participation in grief.

Theological Implications:

The presence of flute-players in biblical narratives underscores the importance of music in human expression and experience. Music, including the sound of the flute, is portrayed as a means of connecting with God and with one another, whether in times of sorrow or joy. The Bible's references to flute-players remind believers of the power of music to convey emotions and truths that words alone may not fully express.

In summary, flute-players in the Bible are primarily associated with mourning, but the instrument itself holds broader cultural and symbolic significance. Through its use in Scripture, the flute serves as a reminder of the integral role of music in worship, communication, and community life.834. auletes -- a flute player
... Word Origin from auleo Definition a flute player NASB Word Usage flute-players
(2). flute player. From auleo; a flute-player -- minstrel, piper. see GREEK auleo ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/834.htm - 6k

2351. thorubos -- an uproar
... hubbub" (Souter). (Mk 5:35-39) Josephus ( ad 1st century) reports that hired
flute players were common in NT times. They performed ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2351.htm - 7k

Jairus' Daughter and the Invalid Woman.
... a and saw the flute-players, and the crowd making a tumult, 24 he said, Give place
[Mourning began at the moment of death, and continued without intermission ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lviii jairus daughter and the.htm

The Touch of Faith
... to the ruler's home. Already the hired mourners and flute players were
there, filling the air with their clamor. The presence of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 36 the touch of.htm

The Dying Child and the Suffering Woman.
... And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute-players, and the crowd
making a tumult, and many weeping and wailing greatly, he said, "Give place ...
//christianbookshelf.org/barton/his life/the dying child and the.htm

Acts of the Holy Apostle Thomas.
... And, behold, the voices of flute-players, and of water-organs, and trumpets, sounding
round them; and the apostle inquired, saying: What festival is this in ...
/.../unknown/acts of the holy apostle thomas/acts of the holy apostle.htm

The Touch of Faith and the Touch of Christ
... but only in a swoon. The scornful laughter of the flute-players and hired
mourners understood Him better. They knew that it was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the touch of faith and.htm

Philippians iii. 3-Jan
... land, not that, cutting off the chief portion of it, you should spend the good gifts
of God upon harlots, and dancers, and actors, and flute players, and harp ...
/.../homily x philippians iii 3-jan.htm

Matt. Ix. 18
... [1311] Luke 8:48. [1312] Matthew 9:23, 24. [RV, "the flute-players, and the crowds
making a tumult."]. [1313] John 11:11. [1314] Exodus 4:2. ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxi matt ix 18.htm

Matt. x. 34
... [1487] Matthew 25:45. [1488] This was part of the festivities of the Saturnalia;
"it began on the 13th of January, when the flute players used to run about the ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xxxv matt x 34.htm

Ephesians v. 22-24
... For a man who can endure neither flute-players, nor dancers, nor broken songs,
[437] and that too at the very time of his wedding, that man will scarcely ...
/.../homily xx ephesians v 22-24.htm

Book ii.
... 82. And what shall I say of the daughter of the ruler of the synagogue, at whose
death multitudes were weeping and the flute-players piping? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/book ii.htm

Flute-players (2 Occurrences)
Flute-players. Flute, Flute-players. Flutes . Multi-Version
Concordance Flute-players (2 Occurrences). Matthew 9:23 ...
/f/flute-players.htm - 7k

Flute (16 Occurrences)
... 3:5, 7, 10, 15. In Matthew 9:23, 24, notice is taken of players on the flute,
here called "minstrels" (but in RV "flute-players"). ...
/f/flute.htm - 13k

Players (7 Occurrences)
... Matthew 9:23 When Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the fluteplayers,
and the crowd in noisy disorder, (WEB WEY ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/p/players.htm - 8k

Flutes (8 Occurrences)

/f/flutes.htm - 8k

Noisy (14 Occurrences)
... Noisy (14 Occurrences). Matthew 9:23 When Jesus came into the ruler's house, and
saw the fluteplayers, and the crowd in noisy disorder, (WEB NAS NIV). ...
/n/noisy.htm - 10k

Official's (1 Occurrence)
... Official's (1 Occurrence). Matthew 9:23 When Jesus came into the ruler's house,
and saw the fluteplayers, and the crowd in noisy disorder, (See NAS). ...
/o/official's.htm - 6k

Loudly (31 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Loudly (31 Occurrences). Matthew 9:23 Entering the Ruler's
house, Jesus saw the flute-players and the crowd loudly wailing, (WEY). ...
/l/loudly.htm - 15k

Wailing (44 Occurrences)
... WEY RSV). Matthew 9:23 Entering the Ruler's house, Jesus saw the
flute-players and the crowd loudly wailing, (WEY). Matthew 13:42 ...
/w/wailing.htm - 19k

Tumult (56 Occurrences)
... Tumult (56 Occurrences). Matthew 9:23 And when Jesus came into the ruler's house,
and saw the flute-players, and the crowd making a tumult, (ASV DBY YLT RSV). ...
/t/tumult.htm - 23k

Trumpeters (4 Occurrences)
... Trumpeters (4 Occurrences). Revelation 18:22 The voice of harpists, minstrels, flute
players, and trumpeters will be heard no more at all in you. ...
/t/trumpeters.htm - 8k

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