Harp and Lyre in the Jewish Tradition

A look at ancient musical instruments in Israel, including the "kinnor" and the "nebel." In the English versions of the Old Testament the former word is wrongly translated "harp." In both instruments the strings were set in vibration by the fingers, or perhaps by a little stick, the plectrum (as Josephus says). Bow instruments were unknown to the ancients. The strings were made of gut, metal strings not being used in olden times. The body of the instrument was generally made of cypress (II Sam. vi. 5) or, in very precious instruments, of sandalwood (I Kings x. 11; A. V. "almug").