Cymbals
Fausset's Bible Dictionary [1]
Tsiltselim , from a root to tingle or tinkle. Of two kinds: "loud cymbals," castanettes; four small plates of brass; two plates were attached to each hand, and smitten together, marking for the choir their time for joining in the sacred song; see 1 Chronicles 13:8. And "high sounding cymbals," two larger plates, one held in each hand, and struck together as an accompaniment to other music, like the Italian Piatti , marking the rhythm. Zechariah 14:20, "the bells," rather concave plates of brass attached to horses as an ornament, and tinkling in striking against one another; even the common things shall have sanctity attached to them.
Smith's Bible Dictionary [2]
Cymbals. A percussive musical instrument. Two kinds of cymbals are mentioned in Psalms 150:5; "loud cymbals" or Castagnettes , and "high-sounding cymbals."
The former consisted of four small plates of brass or of some other hard metal; two plates were attached to each hand of the performer, and were struck together to produce a great noise.
The latter consisted of two larger plates, on held in each hand and struck together as an accompaniment to other instruments.
Cymbals were used not only in the Temple, but for military purposes, and also by Hebrew women as a musical accompaniment to their national dances. Both kinds of cymbals are still common in the East.
People's Dictionary of the Bible [3]
Cymbals. There are two kinds of cymbals, both of which we find mentioned in Psalms 150:5. The first kind, called the loud cymbals, like castanets, consisted of small round plates, two of which are held in each hand, one upon the thumb and the other upon the middle finger, and being struck together skilfully make an agreeable sound. The second kind, called the high-sounding cymbals, were two broad convex plates of brass, the concussion of which produced a shrill, piercing sound, like clattering rather than tinkling. 1 Corinthians 13:1. Both kinds are in common use today in the East.
Morrish Bible Dictionary [4]
Ancient musical instruments, formed of metallic plates which were struck together; they produced no melodious sound in themselves (cf. 1 Corinthians 13:1 ) and could only be used with other instruments. 1 Chronicles 15:16,19,28; Ezra 3:10; Psalm 150:51 etc. In Corinthians it is a similitude of one making a show in speaking without love in the heart.
Easton's Bible Dictionary [5]
2 Samuel 6:5 Psalm 150:5 1 Chronicles 13:8 15:16,19,28 1 Corinthians 13:1
Kitto's Popular Cyclopedia of Biblial Literature [6]
Cymbals [MUSIC]
