Definition and Description:
The tambourine is a musical instrument that appears frequently in the Bible, often associated with joy, celebration, and worship. It typically consists of a wooden frame with pairs of small metal jingles, known as zills, and sometimes a drumhead stretched over one side. The tambourine is played by shaking or striking it with the hand, producing a rhythmic sound that complements singing and dancing.

Biblical References:
The tambourine is mentioned in several passages throughout the Bible, highlighting its role in both religious and cultural contexts. One of the earliest references is found in the Book of Exodus, where Miriam, the sister of Moses, leads the women of Israel in a victory dance with tambourines 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" (Exodus 15:20).

In the Book of Judges, the tambourine is again associated with celebration and victory. Jephthah's daughter comes out to meet him with tambourines and dancing after his triumph over the Ammonites: "When Jephthah returned to his home in Mizpah, there was his daughter coming out to meet him with tambourines and dancing" (Judges 11:34).

The Psalms, a collection of songs and prayers, frequently mention the tambourine as an instrument of praise. Psalm 81:2 exhorts the faithful to "Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre." Similarly, Psalm 149:3 encourages worship through dance and music: "Let them praise His name with dancing, and make music to Him with tambourine and harp."

Cultural and Religious Significance:
In ancient Israel, the tambourine was a common instrument used in both secular and sacred settings. It was often played by women, as seen in the accounts of Miriam and Jephthah's daughter. The instrument's portability and ease of use made it ideal for spontaneous expressions of joy and worship.

The tambourine's association with celebration and victory is significant in the biblical narrative. It symbolizes the joy of deliverance and the triumph of God's people over their enemies. In worship, the tambourine serves as a tool to express exuberant praise and thanksgiving to God.

Symbolism and Interpretation:
From a theological perspective, the tambourine represents the joy and freedom found in God's salvation. Its use in worship underscores the importance of music and dance as expressions of faith and devotion. The instrument's presence in biblical celebrations reflects the communal aspect of worship, where music unites the congregation in a shared experience of praise.

The tambourine's recurring appearance in Scripture highlights the role of women in worship and celebration, emphasizing their contribution to the spiritual life of the community. This inclusion serves as a reminder of the diverse ways in which God's people can participate in worship and express their gratitude and joy.

Conclusion:
The tambourine, as depicted in the Bible, is more than just a musical instrument; it is a symbol of joy, victory, and worship. Its presence in key biblical events underscores the importance of music in the life of faith and the communal celebration of God's mighty acts.8596. toph -- a timbrel, tambourine
... 8595, 8596. toph. 8597 . a timbrel, tambourine. Transliteration: toph
Phonetic Spelling: (tofe) Short Definition: tambourines. Word ...
/hebrew/8596.htm - 6k

8608. taphaph -- to sound the timbrel, beat
... Word Origin denominative verb from toph Definition to sound the timbrel, beat NASB
Word Usage beating (1), beating tambourines (1). taber, play with timbrels. ...
/hebrew/8608.htm - 6k

Jephthah's Foolish Promise
... his hands. But when he came home to Mizpah, his daughter was just coming
out to meet him with tambourines and choral dances. She ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/jephthahs foolish promise.htm

Saul's Mean Jealousy
... David returned from slaying the Philistines, the women came out from all the cities
of Israel, singing and dancing, to meet Saul with tambourines, with cries ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/sauls mean jealousy.htm

Dialogue Between a Gentleman and a Shepherd.
... When the worship is made, there is a great gathering, numbers of people come"wind
instruments, cymbals, tambourines, drums, flags, beggars, devotees, stoics ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hodson/old daniel/chapter five dialogue between a.htm

Arrival
... around the boat visiting all the emigrants and selecting 13 of the most musical
Italian boys and girls with their harps, mandolins and tambourines, a perfect ...
/.../conversion of a high priest into a christian worker/chapter ii arrival.htm

The Escape from Egypt
... And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and
as all the women followed her with tambourines and with dancing, she sang ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the escape from egypt.htm

The Schoolboy of Madaura
... The dull blows on tambourines, the hysterical and nasal preludes of the flutes,
excited an immense elation, at once sensual and mystic. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/v the schoolboy of madaura.htm

What was Heard in the Basilica of Peace
... celebrating the Sabbath. In the basilica, the bashing of the crotolos can
be heard, and the thuds of the tambourines. "They would ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii what was heard in.htm

David the Shepherd Youth.
... Beating their tambourines, they shouted wild songs in praise of the fighting-men,
singing and answering each other in turn after the manner of the Hebrews. ...
/.../anonymous/children of the old testament/david the shepherd youth.htm

Tambourines (13 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Tambourines (13 Occurrences). Genesis 31:27 Why
did you flee secretly, and deceive me, and didn't tell ...
/t/tambourines.htm - 10k

Dances (8 Occurrences)
... Exodus 15:20 Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her
hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances. ...
/d/dances.htm - 9k

Tambourine (8 Occurrences)
... Exodus 15:20 Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her
hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances. ...
/t/tambourine.htm - 9k

Merry (38 Occurrences)
... of Israel played before Yahweh with all manner of instruments made of fir wood,
and with harps, and with stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with ...
/m/merry.htm - 18k

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

Cymbals (15 Occurrences)
... of Israel played before Yahweh with all manner of instruments made of fir wood,
and with harps, and with stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with ...
/c/cymbals.htm - 13k

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

Adorned (20 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 31:4 Again will I build you, and you shall be built, O virgin of Israel:
again you shall be adorned with your tambourines, and shall go forth in the ...
/a/adorned.htm - 12k

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

Instruments (136 Occurrences)
... 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 tambourines, with joy ...
/i/instruments.htm - 41k

Dance in worship - what does the Bible say? | GotQuestions.org

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