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Musical Instruments in the bible, Part 11 – String Instruments

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Musical Instruments in the bible, Part 11

String Instruments – [Kathros-Harp, Kinnor-Harp]

[Study Aired November 30, 2023]

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The two stringed instruments we will look at in this study are both harps, and the verses that are used for the Kathros harp are centered around the negative use of hearing something in the world as typified with the events found in these verses: (Dan 3:5, Dan 3:7, Dan 3:10, Dan 3:15). 

The second harp is the Kinnor harp which points to scriptures which primarily discuss the positive effect of hearing the word of the Lord in this life: (Gen 4:21, Gen 31:27, 1Sa 10:5, 1Sa 16:16, 1Sa 16:23, 2Sa 6:5, 1Ki 10:12, 1Ch 13:8, 1Ch 15:16, 1Ch 15:21, 1Ch 15:28, 1Ch 16:5).

Hear the word of the LORD

Our Father in heaven has a lot to say about how we hear the word of the LORD, and every one of these verses which has the statement “hear the word of the LORD” (2Ki 20:16, 2Ch 18:18, Isa 1:10, Isa 28:14, Isa 39:5, Isa 66:5, Jer 22:2, Jer 22:29, Jer 31:10, Jer 44:24, Eze 6:3), was written for our sakes so that a fire can be kindled in the elect that can only begin on ground that has been promised from the foundation of the world to be prepared (Eph 1:4-6, 1Pe 1:20, Eph 2:8-10, 1Jn 4:17, Joh 15:16, Mat 25:34) to receive or read, hear and keep (Rev 1:3) His word which is as fire. “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?” (Jer 23:29, Mat 24:2).

(The fiery judgments of God in this age upon His children breaks us, not leaving one stone upon another (Mat 24:2), causing us to have a humble and contrite heart (Isa 66:2) in order to be prepared in this age and made ready to be kings and priests who will in time become comfortable in that fire (Isa 33:13-16) and skilled in our ability to apply it outwardly when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and his Christ [1Pe 4:12, 1Pe 4:17, 1Jn 4:17, Jer 5:14, Rev 11:15]).

Isa 33:13  Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might.
Isa 33:14  The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?
Isa 33:15  He that walketh righteously, and speaketh uprightly; he that despiseth the gain of oppressions, that shaketh his hands from holding of bribes, that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood, and shutteth his eyes from seeing evil;
Isa 33:16  He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure.

[These munitions of rocks represent the stronghold that God’s word is for His people who are being judged today, and blessed to receive the true bread and water that was taken away from us in the churches of Babylon [Isa 3:1].]

“I am come to send fire on the earth; (process of hearing his word that is as fire Jer 22:29) and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” (Luk 12:49-53) These verses remind us that the foundation God is building through Christ comes at the expense of our very families who are sacrificed for us in this age (Rom 11:30-33).

Eph 1:4  According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Eph 1:5  Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 
Eph 1:6  To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

1Pe 1:20  Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you [Rom 5:10, Col 1:27, Rom 8:9],

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast [Rom 11:20-22].
Eph 2:10  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
1Jn 4:18  There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 
1Jn 4:19  We love him, because he first loved us [Rom 9:13].

Jer 5:14  Wherefore thus saith the LORD God of hosts, Because ye speak this word, behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people wood, and it shall devour them.

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

These verses below remind us that in order to hear the word of the LORD we must die daily through an ongoing process that has been given unto the elect in this age to endure through Christ (Php 2:12-13) making it possible for God’s words to sink down deeply into our hearts and minds (Mat 13:16, Luk 9:44, Joh 17:17, Luk 13:32, Luk 7:22, 1Jn 4:17, Jer 7:2, Jer 9:20, Jer 34:4, Jer 42:15, Eze 16:35, Eze 20:47, Eze 25:3, Eze 34:7, Hos 4:1).

Mat 13:16  But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.

Luk 9:44  Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men [1Jn 4:17]. [Christ telling us that we must be armed with His mind (1Pe 4:1) and know that our life in him is one of afflictions, persecutions, tribulation, and suffering, of being hated by all men for his name sake (1Co 10:16, Mat 10:22)]

Joh 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth [“Let these sayings sink down into your ears“].

Luk 13:32  And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected.

Luk 7:22  Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment [1Pe 4:17]: because as he is, so are we in this world [able to hear and to see spiritually].

If we are being dragged out of Babylon to the LORD in this age (Joh 6:44), we will be acknowledging that we were in there in the first place having been part of the harlot system (Eze 16:35). This is what we must hear when we come out of Babylon and be careful to not look down on that which we have been called out of by the grace of God and through the faith of Christ (Rom 11:18-22).

Mar 4:24  And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.

Isa 30:21  And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left [Rom 8:14, Joh 14:6].

Joh 8:47  He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world [symbolized by these musicians we read of in Daniel ” (Dan 3:5, Dan 3:7, Dan 3:10, Dan 3:15)].
1Jn 4:2  Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3  And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Definitive scripture that describes the negative and positive use of the word hearing

1Jn 4:4  Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
1Jn 4:5  They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them [symbolized by these musicians we read of in Daniel and those who hear and respond to their message (Dan 3:5, Dan 3:7, Dan 3:10, Dan 3:15)].
1Jn 4:6  We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; [symbolized by these musicians we read of using the harp in these verses [Gen 4:21, Gen 31:27, 1Sa 10:5, 1Sa 16:16, 1Sa 16:23, 2Sa 6:5, 1Ki 10:12, 1Ch 13:8, 1Ch 15:16, 1Ch 15:21, 1Ch 15:28, 1Ch 16:5] he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
1Jn 4:7  Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God [1Jn 5:2-3]; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
1Jn 4:8  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1Jn 4:9  In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live throughG1223 him [Php 2:12-13]. 
1Jn 4:10  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 
1Jn 4:11 Beloved, if God so loved us [Joh 3:16, 1Jn 3:16], we ought also to love one another [to be a propitiation along with Christ for each other’s sins and the sins of the world (Lev 16:15, Lev 16:20-21, 1Jn 4:17)]. 
1Jn 4:12  No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us [Col 1:27].
1Jn 4:13  Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit [Rom 8:16, Rom 8:9].

With all these things in mind now, let’s look at the verses and the surrounding context in order to see the contrast with these two harp-like instruments and what they tell us about ourselves, both of the instruments that were made and set in the circumstances we see them for our sakes (1Co 10:11).

1Co 10:11  Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

Here are the verses where the Kathros harp is found: (Dan 3:5, Dan 3:7, Dan 3:10, Dan 3:15). 

Dan 3:5  That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harpH7030, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:

Dan 3:7  Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harpH7030, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

Dan 3:10  Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harpH7030, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image: 

Dan 3:15  Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harpH7030, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

We have discussed these verses before in a previous study on the instrument known as the Kehren, which was a study done on October 5th. Here is an extract from that study to remind us why the Kathros harp can also be seen as an instrument that has a negative connotation for us in God’s word. 

Here is the Strong’s definition of the word Kathros/harpH7030.

If we look at the root meanings of this word Kathros it is very revealing and shows the negative example of kindling a fire.

This fire that is kindled is one that incites the flesh and is earthly and devilish in its intent (Jas 3:15, Jud 1:19) (as opposed to the Kinnor harpH3658, as we will see later in the study). The one verse that the root word of Kathros/harpH7030 is found in Jeremiah 17:6 and reveals this:

Jer 17:5  Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.
Jer 17:6  For he shall be like the heath in the desert, and shall not see when good cometh; but shall inhabit the parched places [H2788  root H2787] in the wilderness, in a salt land and not inhabited.
Jer 17:7  Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

The context surrounding the word parchedH2788 shows us how we become cursed when we trust in men and not in God, that is how we become spiritually lacking because we either lean unto our own understanding or the counsel of carnal men and stop believing in God, as opposed to believing in God in order to work the works of God in this age (2Pe 2:17-18, Jud 1:12, Joh 6:28-29).

Jas 3:15  This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Jud 1:19  These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 

2Pe 2:17  These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 
2Pe 2:18  For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.

Jud 1:12  These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;

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The second harp we are looking at tonight is the KinnorH3658 (harp) which points to scriptures that primarily discuss the positive effect of hearing the word of the Lord in this life (Gen 4:21, Gen 31:27, 1Sa 10:5, 1Sa 16:16, 1Sa 16:23, 2Sa 6:5, 1Ki 10:12, 1Ch 13:8, 1Ch 15:16, 1Ch 15:21, 1Ch 15:28, 1Ch 16:5).

I’ll go through a few of these verses to show the positive use of this word Kinnor harpH3658 starting with these two verses in Genesis (Gen 4:21, Gen 31:27). The context of the first use of the word Kinnor is seemingly a negative one, and it is for the flesh, but this story speaks of the redemption that will come through the line of Seth who is a type of the Christ and His Christ.

Gen 4:21  And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harpH3658 and organ.
Gen 4:22  And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
Gen 4:23  And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. 
Gen 4:24  If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold [how we deal with the sin of Cain and Lamech within us is through Christ and His Christ represented by Seth, forgiving our brothers 70×7 (Mat 18:22)].
Gen 4:25  And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name SethH8352: For God, said she, hath appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew. 

Again in the next verse where we read of the word Kinnor (Gen 31:27), it may seem negative, but the whole story being brought out is in regard to our deliverance from sin. The first entry of the word Kinnor is symbolic of how we will be delivered from sin through Christ and His Christ, who is typified by Seth and Jacob.

Gen 31:26  And Laban said to Jacob, What hast thou done, that thou hast stolen away unawares to me, and carried away my daughters, as captives taken with the sword? 
Gen 31:27  Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harpH3658? 
Gen 31:28  And hast not suffered me to kiss my sons and my daughters? thou hast now done foolishly in so doing. 
Gen 31:29  It is in the power of my hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad.

In these next three verses, (1Sa 10:5, 1Sa 16:16, 1Sa 16:23), there is a very distinct reference to prophecy, and the word is definitely being used in a positive context reminding us of the need to continue to encourage, enlighten, edify, comfort, and strengthen each other in the LORD (1Co 14:3).

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, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harpH3658, before them; and they shall prophesy:

1Sa 16:16  Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harpH3658: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.

1Sa 16:23  And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harpH3658, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

1Co 14:3  But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

In conclusion when we hear the word of God as Noah[H5146= ‘The same as H5118; resting place]  did “to the saving of his house” we find ourselves being made perfect, stablished and strengthened in Christ (1Pe 5:10). The ark that Noah built represents the church, the body of Christ that finally rested on mount Ararat [AraratH780 = “the curse reversed: precipitation of curse”], telling us that when we are blessed to have the faith of Christ and move with fear as Noah did, we will be resting in the Lord who is our strength (Heb 4:9-11). 

Gen 8:4  And the ark restedH5117  in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of AraratH780.

Heb 4:9  There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 
Heb 4:10  For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. 
Heb 4:11  Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. 

Christ alone enables us (Php 2:13) to go from glory to glory as we work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (2Co 3:18, Php 2:12). The curse of being in this sinful flesh is then reversed by being slaves to righteousness (Gal 3:13, Gal 2:20) and spending our remaining days on the earth fulfilling the will of God that was symbolized by the building of the Ark (1Pe 4:2). Noah’s name has its root meaning in the word “rest” and reminds us that the body of Christ is laboring to enter into His rest, a labor of love that can only be accomplished by grace through faith (Heb 12:6, Tit 2:12, Eph 2:8).

Heb 12:6  For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 

Tit 2:12  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

Eph 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 

Eph 2:9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

By not refusing him that speaks to us (Christ who speaks the law of Christ, a law fulfilled by bearing each other’s burdens  [Gal 6:2]), the curse of the law which is for the lawless is reversed (1Ti 1:9). God calls us out of Babylon and blesses His children to be able to hear the word of the LORD and rest in Christ in this age. Noah typifies for us how that rest is obtained (Heb 11:6-7, Heb 5:7, Heb 12:25, 1Jn 4:17), and mount Ararat symbolizes the end result of our moving with fear to the saving of our house.

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please him: [Luk 22:32] for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Heb 11:7  By faith NoahG3575, being warned of God of things not seen as yet [Joh 20:29], moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith [Mat 24:37-39, 1Pe 1:12].

Luk 22:32  But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. 

Mat 24:37  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.
Mat 24:38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,
Mat 24:39  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.

Heb 5:7  Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared;

Heb 12:25  See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:

Gen 8:4  And the ark rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of AraratH780.

Next week, Lord willing, we will look at the last three stringed instruments in this section of musical instruments in the bible [Nebel – Viol, Psanterin – Psaltery, Sabbka – Sackbut]

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

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.

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