Timbrel

American Tract Society Bible Dictionary

An instrument of music, early and often mentioned in Scripture,  Genesis 31:27   Job 21:12 . The Hebrews called it toph, under which name they comprehended all kinds of drums, tabors, and tambourines. We do not find that the Hebrews used it in their wars, but only at their public rejoicing,  Exodus 15:20   Isaiah 24:8; and it was commonly employed by the women,  Psalm 62:12 . It consisted, and still consists, of a small circular rim or hoop, over which a skin is drawn. The rim is also hung with small bells. The timbrel is used as an accompaniment to lively music, being shaken and beaten with the knuckles in time. After the passage of the Red sea, Miriam, sister of Moses, took a timbrel, and began to play and dance with the women,  Exodus 15:20 . The daughter of Jephthah came to meet her father with timbrels and other musical instruments,  Judges 11:34 . See Music .

Smith's Bible Dictionary

Timbrel. (Hebrew, toph ). In old English, tabor was used for any drum. Tabouret and tambourine are diminutives of tabor, and denote the instrument, now known as the tambourine. Tabret is a contraction of tabouret. The Hebrew, toph is, undoubtedly, the instrument described by travellers as the duff or diff of the Arabs. It was played principally by women,  Exodus 15:20;  Judges 11:34;  1 Samuel 18:6;  Psalms 68:25, as an accompaniment to the song and dance. The diff of the Arabs is described, by Russell, as "a hoop, (sometimes with pieces of brass fixed in it, to make a jingling), over which a piece of parchment is stretched. It is beaten with the fingers, and is the true tympanum of the ancients." In Barbary, it is called tar .

King James Dictionary

TIM'BREL, n. L. tympanum. An instrument of music a kind of drum, tabor or tabret,which has been in use from the highest antiquity.

And Miriam took a timbrel in her hand--and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.  Exodus 15

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Genesis 31:27 Exodus 15:20 Judges 11:34Music

Fausset's Bible Dictionary

(See Music.) Hebrew Toph , "tambourine," related to the old English "tabor," i.e. a drum. In  Ezekiel 28:13.

Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible

Timbrel . See Tabret, and Music, etc., 4 (3) ( a ).

Webster's Dictionary

(n.) A kind of drum, tabor, or tabret, in use from the highest antiquity.

Holman Bible Dictionary

Tabret

Morrish Bible Dictionary

See TABRET.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

Bibliography Information McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Timbrel'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/t/timbrel.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.