Definition and Description:
Timbrels, also known as tambourines, are percussion instruments mentioned frequently in the Bible. They consist of a wooden frame, often circular, with a membrane stretched over one side. Small metal jingles or bells are sometimes attached to the frame, producing a distinctive sound when shaken or struck. Timbrels were commonly used in ancient Israelite music and worship, serving both celebratory and religious functions.

Biblical References:
Timbrels are mentioned in several passages throughout the Old Testament, highlighting their role in worship, celebration, and victory.

1. Exodus 15:20-21: "Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a timbrel in her hand, and all the women followed her with timbrels and dancing. And Miriam sang back to them: 'Sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted; the horse and rider He has thrown into the sea.'" This passage describes the use of timbrels in a celebratory context, as Miriam and the women of Israel praise God for their deliverance from Egypt.

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. She was his only child; he had no other son or daughter." Here, the timbrel is associated with celebration and joy, as Jephthah's daughter greets him with music and dance.

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 verse illustrates the use of timbrels in public celebrations of military victory.

4. Psalm 68:25: "The singers lead the way, the musicians follow after, among the maidens playing tambourines." In this psalm, timbrels are part of a procession, indicating their role in organized worship and celebration.

5. Psalm 149:3: "Let them praise His name with dancing, and make music to Him with tambourine and harp." This verse underscores the use of timbrels in worship, as instruments of praise to God.

6. Psalm 150:4: "Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute." Timbrels are included in the list of instruments used to praise God, emphasizing their importance in the musical worship of the Lord.

Cultural and Religious Significance:
In ancient Israel, timbrels were not only musical instruments but also symbols of joy, celebration, and divine worship. They were often played by women, as seen in the accounts of Miriam and Jephthah's daughter. The use of timbrels in religious ceremonies and public celebrations reflects the integral role of music in expressing faith and communal identity.

The timbrel's presence in biblical narratives highlights the importance of music and dance in the life of the Israelite community. It served as a means of expressing gratitude, celebrating victories, and participating in the worship of God. The joyful sound of the timbrel, combined with singing and dancing, created an atmosphere of communal worship and celebration, drawing the people together in their shared faith and devotion.8608. taphaph -- to sound the timbrel, beat
... taber, play with timbrels. A primitive root; to drum, ie Play (as) on the tambourine --
taber, play with timbrels. 8607, 8608. taphaph. 8609 . ...
/hebrew/8608.htm - 6k

8596. toph -- a timbrel, tambourine
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition a timbrel, tambourine NASB Word Usage
settings (1), tambourine (2), tambourines (7), timbrel (6), timbrels (1). ...
/hebrew/8596.htm - 6k

In Short, what Patriarch, what Prophet, what Levite, or Priest...
... never allowed either on the occasion of public rejoicing or to gratify innate luxury:
so they returned from the Babylonish captivity with timbrels, and flutes ...
/.../tertullian/the chaplet or de corona/chapter ix in short what.htm

Death and Life from the Ark
... and all the house of Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments
made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/death and life from the.htm

The Publication of the Gospel
... refers to some season of deliverance or victory, when the women, according to the
custom of the nation, assembled to praise the Lord with timbrels, songs and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 2/sermon xxx the publication of.htm

Salvation Published from the Mountains
... their enemies, dead upon the sea-shore, Miriam, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel
in her hand, and all the women went out after her with timbrels and dances ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon vi salvation published from.htm

How David Prevailed.
... COURAGE is united to HUMILITY, the Philistine may get measured for his coffin (leaving
out the head), and the damsels of Israel have their timbrels tuned, for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/champness/broken bread/xxxiv how david prevailed.htm

The Bread of God
... The Israelites could strike their timbrels and sing their lyric of praise, but
they could not believe that to-day's hunger could be satisfied. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the bread of god.htm

Psalm 68
... on instruments took way; And them among the damsels were. that did on timbrels
play. ^26Within the congregations. bless God with one accord: ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/anonymous/scottish psalter and paraphrases/psalm 68.htm

But Let There Be, as You Wish, Honour in Wine and in Incense...
... of victims: are the gods moved by garlands also, wreaths and flowers, by the jingling
of brass also, and the shaking of cymbals, by timbrels also, and also by ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/32 but let there be.htm

Dreadful Forms of Terror and Frightful Bugbears on Account of ...
... to restrain itself from every wicked and shameful act"little sickles, keys, caps,
pieces of wood, winged sandals, staves, little timbrels, pipes, psalteries ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/26 o dreadful forms of.htm

Redeemed Souls Freed from Fear.
... All the chivalry of Egypt was overthrown and destroyed at the Red Sea, and the timbrels
of the daughters of Israel sounded joyously upon its shores. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/redeemed souls freed from fear.htm

Timbrels (9 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Timbrels (9 Occurrences). Exodus 15:20 And Miriam
the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in ...
/t/timbrels.htm - 9k

Timbrel (7 Occurrences)
... Exodus 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her
hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. ...
/t/timbrel.htm - 9k

Dancing (21 Occurrences)
... Exodus 15:20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her
hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances. ...
/d/dancing.htm - 13k

Psalteries (16 Occurrences)
... and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments
made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on ...
/p/psalteries.htm - 12k

Choruses (3 Occurrences)
... Exodus 15:20 And Miriam the inspired one, sister of Aaron, taketh the timbrel in
her hand, and all the women go out after her, with timbrels and with choruses ...
/c/choruses.htm - 7k

Playing (37 Occurrences)
... the house of Israel are playing before Jehovah, with all kinds of 'instruments'
of fir-wood, even with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with ...
/p/playing.htm - 18k

Virgins (33 Occurrences)
... (YLT). Psalms 68:25 Singers have been before, Behind 'are' players on
instruments, In the midst virgins playing with timbrels. (YLT). ...
/v/virgins.htm - 16k

Joyful (83 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 timbrels, with joy, and ...
/j/joyful.htm - 29k

Inspired (20 Occurrences)
... Exodus 15:20 And Miriam the inspired one, sister of Aaron, taketh the timbrel in
her hand, and all the women go out after her, with timbrels and with choruses ...
/i/inspired.htm - 12k

Fir-wood (4 Occurrences)
... the house of Israel played before Jehovah with all manner of 'instruments made of'
fir-wood, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with ...
/f/fir-wood.htm - 7k

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