Taber
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible [1]
Taber . Only in Nahum 2:7 ‘her handmaids mourn as with the voice of doves, tabering (Amer. Rv [Note: Revised Version.] ‘beating’) upon their breasts.’ Beating the breast was a familiar Oriental custom in mourning (cf. Isaiah 32:12 ). The word here used means lit. ‘drumming’ (cf. Psalms 68:26 , its only other occurrence). The English word ‘taber’ means a small drum, usually accompanying a pipe, both instruments being played by the same performer. Other forms are ‘tabor,’ ‘tabour,’ and ‘tambour’; and dim. forms are ‘ tabret ’ and ‘ tambourine .’
American Tract Society Bible Dictionary [2]
To beat the tabret, a small drum or tambourine. The word is used in Nahum 2:7 of women beating their breasts in sign of grief.
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(v. i.) Same as Tabor.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia [4]
tā´bẽr ( תּפף , tāphaph , "to strike a timbrel" (( Psalm 68:25 )): The word is used only once in the King James Version, namely, in the exceedingly graphic account of the capture of Nineveh given in Nahum 2:7 . The queen (perhaps the city personified) is dishonored and led into ignominious captivity, followed by a mourning retinue of "maids of honor" who taber upon, that is, beat violently, their breasts. Such drumming on the breasts was a gesture indicative of great grief ( Luke 18:3 ).
