The tambour, often referred to as a tambourine in modern translations, is a musical instrument mentioned in the Bible, primarily in contexts of celebration and worship. It is a percussion instrument consisting of a frame, often made of wood, with pairs of small metal jingles, known as zills, attached around the frame. The tambour is played by striking or shaking, producing a rhythmic sound that complements other musical instruments and vocal expressions.

Biblical References:

The tambour is prominently featured in several passages of the Old Testament, highlighting its role in the cultural and religious life of the Israelites.

1. 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." This verse describes the celebration following the Israelites' crossing of the Red Sea. Miriam, leading the women in song and dance, uses the tambour to express joy and gratitude for God's deliverance from the Egyptians.

2. Judges 11:34 · "When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, there was his daughter coming out to meet him with tambourines and dancing." Here, the tambour is again associated with celebration, as Jephthah's daughter greets him with music and dance after his victory over the Ammonites.

3. 1 Samuel 18:6 · "As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul, singing and dancing with tambourines, with joy and with musical instruments." This passage illustrates the use of tambours in public celebrations, marking significant military victories and the communal joy of the people.

4. Psalm 68:25 · "The singers lead the way, the musicians follow after, among the maidens playing tambourines." In this psalm, the tambour is part of a procession, underscoring its role in worship and the praise of God.

Cultural and Religious Significance:

In ancient Israel, the tambour was more than just a musical instrument; it was a symbol of joy, victory, and divine intervention. Its use in religious ceremonies and public celebrations reflects the communal nature of worship and the expression of collective emotions. The tambour's presence in these contexts underscores the importance of music and dance in the spiritual life of the Israelites.

The tambour's association with women, as seen in the accounts of Miriam and Jephthah's daughter, highlights the active participation of women in worship and celebration. This involvement is significant, as it demonstrates the inclusive nature of worship practices in ancient Israel.

Symbolism:

The tambour symbolizes joy and celebration in the biblical narrative. Its sound is a call to rejoice, to remember God's mighty acts, and to participate in communal worship. The instrument's simplicity and portability made it accessible, allowing it to be a common feature in both personal and public expressions of faith.

In summary, the tambour in the Bible is a powerful symbol of joy, celebration, and worship, reflecting the vibrant and communal nature of the Israelites' relationship with God. Its presence in key biblical events underscores its importance in the cultural and religious practices of the time.1. (n.) A kind of small flat drum; a tambourine.

2. (n.) A small frame, commonly circular, and somewhat resembling a tambourine, used for stretching, and firmly holding, a portion of cloth that is to be embroidered; also, the embroidery done upon such a frame; -- called also, in the latter sense, tambour work.

3. (n.) Same as Drum.

4. (n.) A work usually in the form of a redan, to enclose a space before a door or staircase, or at the gorge of a larger work. It is arranged like a stockade.

5. (n.) A shallow metallic cup or drum, with a thin elastic membrane supporting a writing lever. Two or more of these are connected by an India rubber tube, and used to transmit and register the movements of the pulse or of any pulsating artery.

6. (v. t.) To embroider on a tambour.

Tambour (7 Occurrences)
... and firmly holding, a portion of cloth that is to be embroidered; also, the embroidery
done upon such a frame; -- called also, in the latter sense, tambour work ...
/t/tambour.htm - 9k

Tambourine (8 Occurrences)

/t/tambourine.htm - 9k

Vase (3 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The body, or naked ground, of the Corinthian and Composite capital; --
called also tambour, and drum. 4. (n.) The calyx of a plant. ...
/v/vase.htm - 8k

Outpost (7 Occurrences)
... to pass, when thou comest thither, into the city, that thou shalt meet a company
of prophets coming down from the high place with lute and tambour and pipe and ...
/o/outpost.htm - 9k

Lute (13 Occurrences)
... will wake the dawn. (DBY). Psalms 81:2 Raise a song, and sound the tambour,
the pleasant harp with the lute. (DBY). Psalms 92:3 with ...
/l/lute.htm - 11k

Tambours (8 Occurrences)
... Exodus 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the tambour in
her hand, and all the women went out after her with tambours and with dances. ...
/t/tambours.htm - 9k

Tamarisk-tree (3 Occurrences)
Tamarisk-tree. Tamarisk, Tamarisk-tree. Tambour . Multi-Version Concordance ...
(See JPS ASV). Tamarisk, Tamarisk-tree. Tambour . Reference Bible.
/t/tamarisk-tree.htm - 7k

Banquets (5 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 5:12 And harp and lyre, tambour and flute, and wine are in their banquets;
but they regard not the work of Jehovah, nor do they see the operation of his ...
/b/banquets.htm - 7k

Conducted (14 Occurrences)
... didst thou flee away covertly, and steal away from me, and didst not tell me, that
I might have conducted thee with mirth and with songs, with tambour and with ...
/c/conducted.htm - 11k

Covertly (2 Occurrences)
... didst thou flee away covertly, and steal away from me, and didst not tell me, that
I might have conducted thee with mirth and with songs, with tambour and with ...
/c/covertly.htm - 7k

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