Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 107:425 (Jan 1950)
Article: The Music of Israel: Part 2
Author: Howard F. Vos

BSac 107:425 (Jan 50) p. 64

The Music of Israel:
Part 2

Howard F. Vos

(Concluded from the October-December Number, 1949)

{Editor’s note: Footnotes in the original printed edition were numbered 61–93, but in this electronic edition are numbered 1–33 respectively.}

Instrumental Music

C. Percussion Instruments.

1. Menaanim (cornets, 1 time). The Hebrew word comes from the verb which means ‘to move to and fro unsteadily,’ ‘to vibrate,’ ‘to wave,”1 probably signifying here that it was an instrument for shaking like the sistrum. The Vulgate has systra in this passage (2 Sam 6:5).2 This instrument has an oval frame, with iron rods having hooked ends lying loosely in holes in the sides. A handle was attached to this. Sistra found in Egypt varied from eight to eighteen inches in length and generally had three bars with rings on them.3 A carved bone handle was found at Bethel in 1934 which was thought to belong to a sistrum. Egyptian influence was seen in this find, though the workmanship is native.4 Perhaps this instrument was intended more for a symbol of honor than for music: at all events Wilkinson notes that in Egypt “it was so great a privilege to hold the sacred sistrum in the temple, that it was given to queens, and to those noble ladies who had the distinguished title of ‘women of Amun,’ and were devoted to the service of the deity; and the Jews seem, in like manner, to have intrusted the principal sacred offices held by women to the daughters of priests, and of persons of rank.”5

2. Metsiltayim (cymbals, 13 times). According to Sachs these are small cymbals which may be clashed in one hand: either they were attached to the thumb and middle finger in the manner of castanets, or were affixed to the inside of the prongs of a flexible split cane.6 But Sellers’ idea is probably better, namely, that they were ‘clear sounding cymbals’ and

BSac 107:425 (Jan 50) p. 65

were clashed together horizontally.7 Josephus describes this type of cymbal as a flat affair, probably like a plate, made of heavy bronze, which when clashed together by the musical director led the others.8 A pair of cymbals of this type has been found at Bethshemesh.You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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