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Musical Instruments in the Bible, Part 12 – Stringed Instruments

Nebel – Psaltery, Viol, Psanterin – Psaltery, Sabbka – Sackbut, String/percussion Sumponia – Dulcimer

[Study Aired December 7, 2023]

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excerpt from https://www.biblestudy.org/bible-study-by-topic/musical-instruments.html:

String Instruments (continued)

Hebrew: Nebel
KJV Name: Psaltery, Viol
Strong’s: #H5035
References: 1Sa 10:5, 2Sa 6:5, 1Ki 10:12, 1Ch 13:8, 1Ch 15:16, 1Ch 15:20, 1Ch 15:28, 1Ch 16:5, 1Ch 25:1, 1Ch 25:6, 2Ch 5:12, 2Ch 9:11

Nebel, in 23 Old Testament places, is translated “psaltery.” It is translated, in Isaiah 5:12, 14:11 and  Amos 5:23, 6:5 as “viol.” Jewish tradition states that the Nebel stood upright as opposed to the handheld kinnor.

The psaltery, a type of harp, may have had as many as ten strings (Psa 33:2, Psa 144:9). It was used when the Ark of the Covenant was moved (1Ch 15:28) as well as in worshiping God (1Ch 25:6).

Hebrew: Psanterin
KJV Name: Psaltery
Strong’s: #H6460
References: Dan 3:5, Dan 3:7, Dan 3:10, Dan 3:15

This instrument was used in the court of Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar. It may have resembled a dulcimer that had its strings struck with small hammers.

Hebrew: Sabbka
KJV Name: Sackbut
Strong’s: #H5443
References: Dan 3:5, Dan 3:7, Dan 3:10, Dan 3:15

This instrument was used in the court of Babylon’s King Nebuchadnezzar. It may have been a type of lyre or harp with four strings.

Unknown Type

Hebrew: Sumponia
KJV Name: Dulcimer
Strong’s: #H5481
References: Daniel 3:5, 10, 15

The KJV word “dulcimer,” found only in Daniel, is a mistranslation. Modern dulcimers are percussion based musical instruments that possess metal strings that are hit with lightweight hammers. Smith’s Bible Dictionary, the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Wilmington’s Guide, however, all state the sumponia was possibly a type of bagpipe.

Tyndale’s Dictionary, however, argues the sumponia couldn’t have been a bagpipe, as musicologists believe no such instrument existed at the time of King Nebuchadnezzar. The uncertainty of the Hebrew makes it difficult to know what is being referenced.

End quote

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There are two distinct points being made with these last three stringed instruments we’re looking at. The first instrument we will look at is called Nebel^H5035 – Psaltery, Viol, and this instrument represents the best that the flesh has to offer, which is the first point.

The second and third instruments, Psanterin – Psaltery, and Sabbka – Sackbut, are both found together in each of these verses, (Dan 3:5, Dan 3:7, Dan 3:10, Dan 3:15), which is where they are being used in the negative context of exalting king Nebuchadnezzar who was commanding the flesh of men to bow down and worship him, representing how sin wants to rule over us via the powers and principalities against which we wrestle. The last instrument that we will look at in this mini-series is the Sumponia – Dulcimer, which is kind of a hybrid instrument resembling a dulcimer or maybe more like a bagpipe. It may be hard to categorize but there’s no doubt as to where it was being used, and again it was among the other instruments in Nebuchadnezzar courts (Rom 6:14-16, Rev 13:7-10, Rev 13:15, Rev 14:7).

Rom 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. 
Rom 6:15  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 
Rom 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 

Rev 13:7  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Rev 13:15  And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

Rev 14:7  Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

The instruments in God’s word always represent the marred flesh that mankind is. However depending on who is playing the instrument and for what reason, we then learn if this instrument, in the context it is being used, is one that typifies someone glorifying God as an instrument of righteousness or glorifying self by being self-righteous. The natural default state that all flesh takes without Christ’s spirit in us is to love vanity and to exalt self, or to be envious of those who are more capable than us in any way shape or form (Psa 4:2, Jas 4:5-7, 1Co 3:3-5).

Psa 4:2  O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.

Jas 4:5  Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 
Jas 4:6  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble [Heb 12:6].
Jas 4:7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 
1Co 3:5  Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed [instruments in God’s hand in other words (Php 2:12-13)], even as the Lord gave to every man?

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Starting off with the stringed instrument called Nebel –  Psaltery^H5035 that is mentioned twice as having ten strings, witnessing to the perfection of the flesh in man that we naturally strive to attain, being subject to the vanity of this flesh (Psa 33:2, Psa 144:9, Rom 8:20-21).

Psa 33:2  Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery^H5035 and an instrument of ten strings.

Psa 144:9  I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery^H5035 and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

Rom 8:20  For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, 
Rom 8:21  Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption [10 strings] into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 

The other thing to note is that the Nebel or  Psaltery^H5035 was being used when Saul was being anointed by Samuel to be king (1Sa 10:1-5). Saul started off with a humble attitude but became exalted in himself. That pride of life is being demonstrated with the perfection of the flesh represented in the negative sense with the Nebel^H5035 called a Psaltery or Viol. The lesson for God’s people is that only Christ abiding within us can keep us in a humble and contrite state so that the knowledge God bestows upon us does not puff us up as it naturally would (1Co 8:1-3, Isa 66:2, 2Co 12:7-9). King David is a type of Christ who replaces our first rejected anointed tall king (Saul, 1Sa 9:2), our old religious man whose pride in time manifests as it did with king Saul. If we are Christ’s in this age, our old man is overcome and destroyed by the brightness of His coming (1Sa 15:17-18, Rev 13:7-10, 2Th 2:2-8).

1Sa 10:1  Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance? 
1Sa 10:2  When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel’s sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son? 
1Sa 10:3  Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine: 
1Sa 10:4  And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands.
1Sa 10:5  After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery^H5035, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:

1Co 8:1  Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.
1Co 8:2  And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. 
1Co 8:3  But if any man love God, the same is known of him.

Isa 66:2  For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word [our Father looks to Christ in us as our hope of glory in whom we are accepted (Col 1:27, Eph 1:6)].

2Co 12:7  And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 
2Co 12:8  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 
2Co 12:9  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

1Sa 9:2  And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

1Sa 15:17  And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, [Luk 17:10, Rom 11:20, Rom 11:25] wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel? 
1Sa 15:18  And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed [Representing our overcoming the wood hay and stubble in our life in the early stages of our overcoming (1Co 3:12, Heb 6:3)].

Rev 13:7  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations. 
Rev 13:8  And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. 
Rev 13:9  If any man have an ear, let him hear. 
Rev 13:10  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints [We must experience what others experience but in the end through Christ we will overcome].

Rev 13:10  He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity [2Ti 2:26]: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints. 

[The sword is the word of God which kills our old man as we decrease and Christ increases within us. We are able to “killeth with the sword” only because we have been decreasing as we die daily by the sword of God’s word, His spirit that makes it possible for us to die daily (Rom 2:4, Php 2:12-13)]

Here are the Strong’s and BDB definitions of Nebel^H5035.  

H5035  nebel    nêbel neh’-bel, nay’-bel

From H5034; a skin bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); hence, a vase (as similar in shape when full); also a lyre (as having a body of like form): – bottle, pitcher, psaltery, vessel, viol.

Total KJV occurrences: 38

BDB Definition:
1) a skin-bag, jar, pitcher
1a) skin-bottle, skin
1b) jar, pitcher (earthen)
2) harp, lute, guitar, musical instrument
Part of Speech: noun masculine

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H5034
H5034 nâbêl
BDB Definition:
1) to be senseless, be foolish
1a) (Qal) to be foolish
1b) (Piel)
1b1) to regard or treat as foolish
1b2) to treat with contempt
2) to sink or drop down, languish, wither and fall, fade
2a) (Qal)
2a1) to sink or drop down
2a2) to fall, wither and fall, fade
2a3) to droop

Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: a primitive root

H5034nâbêl naw-bale’

A primitive root; to wilt; generally to fall away, fail, faint; figuratively to be foolish or (morally) wicked; causatively to despise, disgrace: – disgrace, dishonour, lightly esteem, fade (away, -ing), fall (down, -ling, off), do foolishly, come to nought, X surely, make vile, wither.

Total KJV occurrences: 25

Notice it is all talking about the weak marred vessel which the instrument we all are represents. We are marred in the hand of the potter (Jer 18:4) and in weak and corruptible flesh (Jer 17:9), and the root word for Nebel is H5034 which root word goes on to further demonstrate who we naturally are without God’s spirit strengthening us in this weak flesh. We are “a skin bag for liquids” even now and are blessed in this age if we are Christ’s body (Eph 5:30) being filled with His spirit, both the old and new covenant words or wine that it is likened unto, that make up the sum of His word so that we can be preserved by that which will not pass away, the eternal words of God found in the old and new covenant that we can partake of if we are connected to the vine. That preservation of His word within the body of Christ is the means to the end that will be used to redeem those who are being reserved for judgment (2Pe 3:7,  Jud 1:6, Jud 1:13) in the second resurrection (Mat 9:17, Joh 6:68, Joh 15:5, Joh 5:30, 1Jn 4:17, Joh 15:1-14, 2Sa 14:14).

Jer 18:4  And when the vessel, which he was forming out of earth, got damaged in the hand of the potter, he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make it.

Jer 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Eph 5:30  For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 

Mat 9:17  Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

Joh 6:68  Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. 

Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Joh 5:30  I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment [in the day of purging (1Pe 4:17, 1Pe 4:12)]: because as he is, so are we in this world. 

Joh 15:1  I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
Joh 15:2  Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Joh 15:3  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Joh 15:4  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Joh 15:5  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
Joh 15:6  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
Joh 15:7  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Joh 15:8  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
Joh 15:9  As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Joh 15:10  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
Joh 15:11  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Joh 15:12  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Joh 15:13  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Joh 15:14  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.

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The second and third stringed instruments, Psanterin – Psaltery, and Sabbka – Sackbut, are both found together in each of these verses (Dan 3:5, Dan 3:7, Dan 3:10, Dan 3:15), which is where they are being used in the negative context of exalting king Nebuchadnezzar who was commanding the flesh of men to bow down and worship him, representing how sin wants to rule over us (Rom 6:14-16). With this in mind let’s look more closely at the definitions of these words, starting with Psanterin^H6460

Psanterin^{H6460 H6460} pesanṭêrı̂yn    pesantêrı̂yn pes-an-tay-reen’, pes-an-tay-reen’

(Chaldee); a transliteration of the Greek (not in lexicon) psalterion; a lyre: – psaltery.

Total KJV occurrences: 4

H6460 pesanṭêrı̂yn / pesantêrı̂yn
BDB Definition:
1) a stringed instrument (triangular)
1a) perhaps a lyre or a harp
Part of Speech: noun masculine

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: a transliteration of the Greek psalterion

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Sabbka^{H5443 H5440}

H5443 sabbekâ’    śabbekâ’ sab-bek-aw’, sab-bek-aw’

(Chaldee); from a root corresponding to H5440; a lyre: – sackbut.

Total KJV occurrences: 4

H5440 sâbak saw-bak’

A primitive root; to entwine: – fold together, wrap.

Total KJV occurrences: 2

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The key point we can take from these instruments is that they were working in conjunction with each other along with the other instruments, at this occasion with king Nebuchadnezzar, to inspire the masses to bow down and worship him [He being a type of Satan, the god of this world who was once our father whom God used to author our former conversation (Eph 2:1-3)]. The lesson for us to realize is that this is exactly what all the world is doing right now when they turn to the traditions of men and forsake God’s word (Mar 7:7, Jer 5:30-31). It is what we all naturally do as sheep that are led astray without our true shepherd Jesus Christ guiding us and strengthening us into a life of obedience to His words (Isa 53:6, Joh 10:2-5, Php 2:12-13, 1Jn 5:2-3). 

Eph 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 
Eph 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 
Eph 2:3  Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Mar 7:6  He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.
Mar 7:7  Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
Mar 7:8  For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

Jer 5:30  A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
Jer 5:31  The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof [1Pe 4:18-19]?

Isa 53:6  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Isa 53:7  He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
Isa 53:8  He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation [Luk 21:32, Rev 13:10, Rev 14:12, Luk 21:19]? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.

Joh 10:2  But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. 
Joh 10:3  To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
Joh 10:4  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
Joh 10:5  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

These next four verses in Ephesians encourage us greatly (Eph 2:4-8) as they tell us how God is going to replace our former conversation, so we can now be considered true worshippers who are worshiping God in spirit and in truth (Joh 4:23). That kind of holy and undefiled worship is the only kind God will accept, and it can only manifest in the church through Christ who is the head of the church, the Vine (Eph 3:10, Eph 1:22-23).

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 
Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 
Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 
Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Joh 4:23  But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 
Joh 4:24  God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

Eph 3:10  To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Eph 3:11  According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: 

Eph 1:21  Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 
Eph 1:22  And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, 
Eph 1:23  Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

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One last instrument:

Unknown Type
Hebrew: Sumponia
KJV Name: Dulcimer
Strong’s: #H5481
References: Dan 3:5, Dan 3:10, Dan 3:15

The KJV word “dulcimer,” found only in Daniel, is a mistranslation. Modern dulcimers are percussion based musical instruments that possess metal strings that are hit with lightweight hammers. Smith’s Bible Dictionary, the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE) and Wilmington’s Guide, however, all state the sumponia was possibly a type of bagpipe.

Tyndale’s Dictionary, however, argues the sumponia couldn’t have been a bagpipe, as musicologists believe no such instrument existed at the time of King Nebuchadnezzar. The uncertainty of the Hebrew makes it difficult to know what is being referenced.

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This last instrument in our list of instruments mentioned in the bible does not have a very clear origin. However, if we look at the surrounding verses in which we find it, we see it represents an instrument used to rally the people into an ungodly position of marching to the orders of Nebuchadnezzar. We have a modern saying that speaks of the conformity of mankind marching to the beat of the same drummer, and that is what the sumponia^H5481 or dulcimer was intended to produce; compliance to the wickedness of that age.

Many are called and few are chosen (Mat 22:14), and the few are called to march to the beat of a different drummer, Jesus Christ the true Shepherd, whom we are blessed to hear in this life and take our direction from as we are led by God’s spirit (Rom 8:14-16). 

He tells us to not be afraid of what men can do to our flesh and promises never to try us beyond the measure that we can endure (Mat 10:28, 1Co 10:13). He also tells His people not to take any anxious thought for the morrow and in the day of adversity not to give thought to what we should say, for the holy spirit will give us what we should say at that hour (Mat 10:19, Eph 6:13). 

In order to be an instrument of righteousness in this life we must be apprehended by our Lord, whose life within us can give us the power to forget what is behind us and go forward with hearts and minds that can glorify Him in all we say and do (Php 3:13-14).

Let us praise him and give thanks, for the bride has been promised to be made ready, and is ready even now in earnest awaiting the redemption of our souls (Rev 19:7, Col 1:14, Eph 1:7, 1Co 1:30, Rom 8:23).

Rev 19:7  Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 

Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood [Rev 1:3], even the forgiveness of sins [Rom 2:4]: 

Eph 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood [Rev 1:3],  the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace [Rom 2:4];

1Co 1:30  But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption [Rev 1:3]: 

Rom 8:23  And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.