The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1894-07-07
MUSIC OF ANCIENT ISRAEL.
splendor OF the Services In the Temple I'm
the Days of King David.

were OF varied character, and, in trying
to get an idea OF them In modern times,
IL is necessary that account should DO
taken not only Of the instruments then
in use, according 10 the Bible. but also
OF the choral and orchestral music and
the Leviticai musicians. There have
been many Epeculations upon the sub
ject, and there are many books about
II, but IL would be hard 10 find a more
satisfactory digest of existing knowl-
edge concerning IL than that recently
prepared by musical scholar, Rabbi
Wolfers, for publication in "a British
periodical.
The first Biblical reference TO mu-
steal instrument is in the book of Gene
sis: "Jubal was the father Of all such
as handle the harp and the organ"
The "khenor" or harp was employed
by the Egyptians and Assyrians as well
as by the Israelites upon joyous occa-
sions. such as conscientious, festive as
semblies, and triumphs. II was used
by King David when singing songs OF
praise, and he danced as he played upon
IL. The Levites also danced 90 its
music Though there is no exact de-
scription OF il in ancient records, IL Is
known that il was small and light, that
the frame OF IL was OF wood, that IL had
with the fingers, but with a small stick,
plectrum, or quill. 1t Is often called
the pleasant harp.
The organ or "engal" of antiquity
did not resemble the modern instru-
ment of that name, though the Hebrew
word by which IL was known bears evil
dence that IL was a wind instrument.
According TO tradition II was composed
of a number Of slender reeds or pipes
strung together and played with the
mouth. These two musical devices,
the harp and the organ, are all that are
associated with the illustrious name OF
Jubal.
Many other musical instruments came
into use in Israel after Jubals time,
and were employed in the sacred serv-
ices. The mabel" bore some reSem-
blance TO the modern guitar. IL was
an instrument OF ten or twelve strings,
was made OF hrwood, was played with
a plectrum, was used in sacred music in
popular for ages, and was probably OF
Phmdician invention. IL is spoken OF
In the Bible. It's name leads 70 the
opinion that IL bore the shape OF
some OF the primitive Phmnician
Jars. The instrument known as
the "thofn was like the tanbourine
OF modern times. IL was OF shallow or
saucerlilke shape, its body Of leather or
parchment, and its rim OF wood, in
which jingling disks OF metal were in
serted IL was held In one hand and
beaten with the other. IL served as an
accompaniment TO the Song Of Moses
on the shore Of the Red sea, and its
sounds were evoked by David in days
OF gladness. The piped instrument,
"chalil,n which was blown only upon
twelve days Of the year, was made Of
bone or of wood, and was heard upon
as sorrowful as well as upon joyful oc-
casions. The Prophet Isaiah speaks OF
IL repeatedly Tin the English transla-
tion of the Bible) as the pipe" There
was in the temple service an instru-
ment called "metzaltzin," or the Gym
balls, pair of shallow metal plates,
ringing, musical sound, or series OF
sounds. David and all the house of
Israel played on cymbals before the
Lord" The rams horn, or "yobcl,"
was the ancient trumpet OF Israel, and
its sound proclaimed the jubilee.
There were two other kinds OF
trumpet, one OF which was ordinarily
used in the musical services Of the tenn
pie, to be played, not by the Levites,
but by the priests. Moses was com
manded 20 make two trumpets Of sill
yer, and the objects OF blowing one or
both OF them at different times, accord
ing 10 Divine order, are set forth in
the tenth chapter OF the Book of Mum.
bcrs.
Several OF the instruments referred
TO in the Bible can not be described, as
their character is wholly unknown.
No knowledge OF them is TO be obtained
from the writings OF the ancient rab-
bis. In Israel, however, as may be seen
by the accounts here given, there was
a sufficient variety Of musical devices.
IL does not appear that the musical
art had grown beyond Us simpler forms
up Co the time of Moses, but IL was evil
IDENTIFY advanced in the days of job,
who speaks Of the organ, the harp, and
the timbrel. During the reign OF David
in Jerusalem there we're many stringed
and wind and other instruments of
high quality Rabbi Wolfers believes
that the power Of prophesying was
closely associated with music, which
seems, indeed, 10 have been an indis-
pcnsable feature Of the prophetic func-
ton. There are illusions 90 this pecu-
larity in the First Book OF Chronicles
and the Second Book OF Kings.
The instrumental music was per-
formed mainly by the Levite- one class
Of whom formed the temple m usicians.
A full choir consisted OF as many as
twenty-four thousand men, divided into
three great bands, and separated one
from another upon vast platforms.
This enormous body was instructed by
two hundred and twenty-eight ma Sters,
,.tt, ,...r. th.unGal vae un1aV tho ffircc-