What Is Ancient Jewish Music?

Ancient Jewish music comes from synagogal music used in the Temple in Jerusalem. According to many religious sources, hymnal and psalmic music was used throughout religious Jewish history.

Use of Stringed Instruments

Two types of stringed instruments were used by ancient Jewish musicians. They were the Nevel, a 12-stringed harp, and the Kinnor, a 10-string lyre.

Use of Trumpets

Trumpets were used to sound alarms, announce meetings and to play as accompaniment to singers. The Shofar is a trumpet made from a ram's horn. The Chatzutzera trumpet was made of silver.

Use of Percussion

Ancient Jewish music used a lot of percussion during religious celebrations. Some instruments used were the tof, which was a small drum, or the metziltayim, which was a cymbal. Bells were rung together, making many different sounds.

Flute Music

Flutes were used to play plaintiff melodies. The Psalms of the Jewish king David were often set to the sound of the halil, which was a large flute.

Orchestra Worship

The ancient Jewish Temple of Solomon had an orchestra of 12 instruments along with 12 male singers. They sang during the offering of the sacrifice at the altar service.

References

• Jewish Virtual Library
• JMI
• Funk and Wagnalls; Wagnalls; 1986