Definition and Description:
Tabrets, also known as timbrels, are ancient musical instruments similar to modern tambourines. They consist of a wooden frame with a membrane stretched over it, often accompanied by small metal jingles. Tabrets were commonly used in biblical times for both religious and secular purposes, particularly in celebrations, processions, and worship.

Biblical References:
Tabrets are mentioned several times in the Bible, often in contexts of joy, celebration, and worship. They are associated with dancing and singing, highlighting their role in communal and festive occasions.

1. Genesis 31:27 : "Why did you flee secretly and deceive me without telling me? I would have sent you away with joy and singing, with tambourines and harps." In this passage, Laban expresses his disappointment at not being able to send off Jacob with a celebratory procession, which would have included tabrets.

2. Exodus 15:20 : "Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing." After the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, Miriam led the women in a victory dance, using tabrets to express their joy and gratitude to God for their deliverance.

3. 1 Samuel 10:5 : "After that you will go to Gibeah of God, where there are Philistine garrisons. As you approach the town, you will meet a procession of prophets coming down from the high place with harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres being played before them, and they will be prophesying." Here, tabrets are part of the musical ensemble accompanying a group of prophets, indicating their use in religious and prophetic contexts.

4. Job 21:12 : "They sing to the tambourine and harp and make merry to the sound of the flute." This verse describes the prosperity and joy of the wicked, who use tabrets in their celebrations, illustrating the instrument's association with merriment.

5. Isaiah 5:12 : "They have harps and lyres at their banquets, tambourines and flutes, and they do not regard the deeds of the LORD or consider the work of His hands." The prophet Isaiah criticizes those who indulge in revelry with tabrets, neglecting their spiritual duties and the works of God.

Cultural and Religious Significance:
In ancient Israelite culture, tabrets were integral to both religious ceremonies and social festivities. They were often played by women, as seen in the account of Miriam and the women of Israel. The use of tabrets in worship and celebration underscores the importance of music and dance in expressing joy and reverence to God.

Tabrets also appear in prophetic and royal contexts, signifying their versatility and widespread use across different aspects of life. Their presence in both sacred and secular settings highlights the holistic nature of worship in ancient Israel, where music was a vital expression of faith and community.

Symbolism:
The tabret symbolizes joy, celebration, and the communal aspect of worship. Its use in biblical narratives often marks significant moments of victory, deliverance, and divine intervention. However, it also serves as a reminder of the potential for neglecting spiritual responsibilities in favor of worldly pleasures, as cautioned by the prophets.

In summary, tabrets are emblematic of the vibrant musical tradition of ancient Israel, reflecting the deep connection between music, worship, and community life in biblical times.

Salvation Published from the Mountains
... 15:10, 21) So afterwards, when David returned from the slaughter of the Philistines,
the women came out to meet him and Saul with tabrets and instruments of ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon vi salvation published from.htm

The Carnal Mind Enmity against God
... Thou hast been in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was thy
covering"the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the carnal mind enmity against.htm

A Soul's Tragedy
... returned from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all cities
of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tabrets, with joy ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a souls tragedy.htm

Visions of Future Glory
... The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them that rejoice endeth, the
joy of the harp ceaseth." Isaiah 24:1-8. "Alas for the day! ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 60 visions of future.htm

Greek and Jew
... Jerusalem, that had for fifteen hundred years adorned herself at this time with
tabrets and had gone forth in the dance of them that make merry, was drunken ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter viii greek and jew.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... from the slaughter of the Philistine, that the women came out of all the cities
of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet King Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

In Our Last Chapter we Sought to Show that in Rev. . .
... In Isa.24:8, 10 it is said of Babylon, "The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise
of them that rejoice endeth, the joy of the heart ceaseth[hellip]the City of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in our last chapter we.htm

Deliverance from Assyria
... And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the Lord shall lay
upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps." Verses 29-32. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 30 deliverance from assyria.htm

We Arrive Now at a Branch of Our Subject Upon which the Lord's ...
... And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the Lord shall lay
upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of shaking will ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/we arrive now at a.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... As he saith, 'Again I will build thee, and thou shalt be built; O virgin of Israel,
thou shalt again be adorned with tabrets, and shall go forth in the dances ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

Tabrets (6 Occurrences)
...Tabrets (6 Occurrences). ... Psalms 68:25 The singers went before, the players on stringed
instruments after, in the midst of maidens playing on tabrets. (DBY). ...
/t/tabrets.htm - 8k

Lays (30 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 30:32 And in every place where the appointed staff shall pass, which the
LORD shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps; and in battles of ...
/l/lays.htm - 13k

Grounded (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 30:32 And in every place where the grounded staff shall pass, which the LORD
shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps: and in battles of ...
/g/grounded.htm - 12k

Wielding (4 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 30:32 And every stroke of the appointed staff, which Jehovah shall lay upon
him, shall be with the sound of tabrets and harps; and in battles with the ...
/w/wielding.htm - 7k

Fights (9 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 30:32 And in every place where the appointed staff shall pass, which the
LORD shall lay upon him, it shall be with tabrets and harps; and in battles of ...
/f/fights.htm - 9k

Tabrimmon (1 Occurrence)

/t/tabrimmon.htm - 7k

Tabret (3 Occurrences)

/t/tabret.htm - 8k

Endeth (2 Occurrences)
... Endeth (2 Occurrences). Isaiah 24:8 The mirth of tabrets ceaseth, the noise of them
that rejoice endeth, the joy of the harp ceaseth. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). ...
/e/endeth.htm - 7k

Exulting (14 Occurrences)
... sojourn. (YLT). Isaiah 24:8 Ceased hath the joy of tabrets, Ceased hath the
noise of exulting ones, Ceased hath the joy of a harp. (YLT). ...
/e/exulting.htm - 10k

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