In biblical times, the term "minstrel" refers to a musician or singer, often associated with playing stringed instruments. The role of the minstrel in the Bible is closely linked to worship, prophecy, and the expression of joy and lamentation. Minstrels were integral to the cultural and religious life of ancient Israel, serving both in the royal courts and in religious ceremonies.

Biblical References

One of the most notable references to a minstrel is found in 2 Kings 3:15. Here, the prophet Elisha calls for a minstrel to play music as he seeks the word of the Lord. The passage states: "But now, bring me a harpist. And while the harpist played, the hand of the LORD came upon Elisha" . This illustrates the belief that music could create an atmosphere conducive to receiving divine revelation, highlighting the spiritual significance of the minstrel's role.

Minstrels are also associated with the worship practices of King David, who himself was a skilled musician and composer of many Psalms. In 1 Samuel 16:23, David plays the harp to soothe King Saul, who is tormented by an evil spirit: "And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him" . This account underscores the therapeutic and spiritual power attributed to music in the biblical narrative.

Cultural and Religious Significance

In ancient Israel, music was an essential component of worship and celebration. Minstrels, often Levites, played a crucial role in temple worship, as described in 1 Chronicles 25:1-7. David, along with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres, and cymbals. This organized musical service was intended to honor God and facilitate communal worship.

The Psalms, many of which are attributed to David, frequently mention musical instruments and the act of singing praises to God. Psalm 150, for example, is a call to worship with various instruments: "Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre" (Psalm 150:3). This reflects the integral role of music and minstrels in expressing devotion and adoration to the Lord.

Prophetic and Emotional Expression

Minstrels were not only involved in worship but also in expressing the full range of human emotions, from joy to sorrow. Lamentations and songs of mourning were often accompanied by music, providing a means to articulate grief and seek comfort. The Book of Lamentations, though not explicitly mentioning minstrels, is a poetic expression of sorrow that would have been familiar to those skilled in musical lament.

In the prophetic context, as seen with Elisha, music served as a medium through which the Spirit of God could move, enabling prophets to deliver messages to the people. This connection between music and prophecy underscores the belief in the divine inspiration and power of music.

Conclusion

The role of the minstrel in the Bible is multifaceted, encompassing worship, prophecy, and emotional expression. Through their music, minstrels facilitated divine encounters, soothed troubled spirits, and enriched the spiritual life of the community. Their contributions to biblical history highlight the enduring significance of music as a means of connecting with God and expressing the depths of the human soul.Minstrel

The Hebrew word in (2 Kings 3:15) properly signifies a player upon a stringed instruments like the harp or kinnor [HARP], whatever its precise character may have been, on which David played before Saul, (1 Samuel 16:16; 18:10; 19:9) and which the harlots of the great cities used to carry with them as they walked, to attract notice. (Isaiah 23:16) The "minstrels" in (Matthew 9:23) were the flute-players who were employed as professional mourners, to whom frequent allusion is made. (2 Chronicles 35:25; Ecclesiastes 12:5; Jeremiah 9:17-20)

(Matthew 9:23), a flute-player. Such music was a usual accompaniment of funerals. In 2 Kings 3:15 it denotes a player on a stringed instrument. (n.) In the Middle Ages, one of an order of men who subsisted by the arts of poetry and music, and sang verses to the accompaniment of a harp or other instrument; in modern times, a poet; a bard; a singer and harper; a musician.MINSTREL

min'-strel.

See MUSIC.

3044. Linos -- Linus, a Christian
... Word Origin the name of a mythical minstrel, perhaps from linon (for the string
of a musical instrument) Definition Linus, a Christian NASB Word Usage Linus (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3044.htm - 6k

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

3451. mousikos -- skilled in the arts (esp. music)
... music) NASB Word Usage musicians (1). musician. From Mousa (a Muse); "musical",
ie (as noun) a minstrel -- musician. (mousikon) -- 1 Occurrence. 3450, 3451. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3451.htm - 6k

5059. nagan -- to touch or play a stringed instrument
... root Definition to touch or play a stringed instrument NASB Word Usage minstrel
(1), minstrel played (1), musician (1), musicians (1), play (5), play songs (1 ...
/hebrew/5059.htm - 6k

The Minstrel
... The Minstrel. A Sermon (No.1612). ... The text is a somewhat singular one, but I hope
it will suggest a profitable idea. "But now bring me a minstrel. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/the minstrel.htm

Exhortation to Abandon the Impious Mysteries of Idolatry for the ...
... I might tell you also the story of another, a brother to these"the subject of a
myth, and a minstrel"Eunomos the Locrian and the Pythic grasshopper. ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter i exhortation to abandon the.htm

Introduction.
... lowly duties of these first years, came the crowded vicissitudes of the tempestuous
course through which he reached his throne"court minstrel, companion and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/i introduction.htm

Early Days
... king's insane hatred,"that further back still there was an indefinite period, between
the fight with Goliath, and the first visit as a minstrel-physician to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/the life of david/ii early days.htm

Through-The-Week Activities for Boys' Organized Classes
... Entertainments: Playets Minstrel Show Lincoln Night Washington Night Stunts and
Skits Mock Trial Declamation or Oratorical Contest Glee Concert. ...
/.../the boy and the sunday school/x through-the-week activities for boys.htm

The Kingdom of all Israel.
... Fair and young, full of inspired song, and of gallant courage, the youth David was
favoured as the minstrel able to drive the evil spirit from Saul, the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vi the kingdom of.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem
... sit a queen and shall see no sorrow; as lovely then, and deeming herself as secure
in Heaven's favor, as when, ages before, the royal minstrel sang: "Beautiful ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 1 the destruction of.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem.
... a queen, and shall see no sorrow;" as lovely then, and deeming herself as secure
in Heaven's favor, as when, ages before, the royal minstrel sung, "Beautiful ...
/.../1 the destruction of jerusalem.htm

Another Friend of God
... which she took part. Her son Henry was a boy of a loving and a tender heart,
and by nature a minstrel and a poet. He has been called ...
/.../bevan/three friends of god/chapter xlix another friend of.htm

The Life of St. Christopher
... Upon a time a minstrel sang tofore him a song in which he named oft the devil, and
the king, which was a Christian man, when he heard him name the devil, made ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the life of st christopher.htm

Minstrel (1 Occurrence)
... musician. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. MINSTREL. min'-strel. See MUSIC.
Multi-Version Concordance Minstrel (1 Occurrence). 2 ...
/m/minstrel.htm - 7k

Played (50 Occurrences)
... (DBY YLT). 2 Kings 3:15 But now bring me a minstrel." It happened, when
the minstrel played, that the hand of Yahweh came on him. ...
/p/played.htm - 23k

Fetch (45 Occurrences)
... (ASV DBY JPS). 2 Kings 3:15 And now fetch me a minstrel. And it came to pass when
the minstrel played, that the hand of Jehovah was upon him. (DBY). ...
/f/fetch.htm - 24k

Harpist (1 Occurrence)
... Harpist (1 Occurrence). 2 Kings 3:15 But now bring me a minstrel." It happened,
when the minstrel played, that the hand of Yahweh came on him. (See NIV). ...
/h/harpist.htm - 6k

Minstrels (3 Occurrences)

/m/minstrels.htm - 7k

Elisha (70 Occurrences)
... mother Jezebel. For Jehoshaphat's sake he will help, calls for a minstrel,
and under the spell of the music receives his message. He ...
/e/elisha.htm - 61k

Saul (371 Occurrences)
... 7. Two Accounts: By a strange coincidence (compare I, 5, above) the minstrel was
the very person whom Samuel had secretly anointed to supplant Saul. ...
/s/saul.htm - 76k

Samuel (129 Occurrences)
... of Saul (1 Samuel 16-2 Samuel 1): (1) Anointing of David as Saul's successor (1
Samuel 16:1-13); his summons to the court of Saul to act as minstrel before the ...
/s/samuel.htm - 90k

Minor (2 Occurrences)

/m/minor.htm - 62k

David (1052 Occurrences)
... Whether by accident or by contrivance he became attached to Saul as minstrel (compare
2 Kings 3:15) and subsequently as one of his armor-bearers. ...
/d/david.htm - 93k

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