And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.

2 SAMUEL 6:5KJV
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2 Samuel 6:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 6:5 mean?

2 Samuel 6:5 describes King David and the whole community of Israel celebrating with music and dancing before the LORD, using a wide variety of musical instruments made from fir wood, including harps, lyres, tambourines, cornets, and cymbals. This verse highlights the joyful and public nature of their worship as they honor God.

David is leading the people of Israel as they bring the Ark of the Covenant toward Jerusalem, a major event for the nation. The verse paints a vivid picture of a national celebration, with music and festivity expressing their reverence and excitement for God’s presence among them. The specific mention of instruments and materials shows the care and enthusiasm involved in this act of worship.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 6:5

  • "played" (שָׂחַק, sāchaq): This word often means to celebrate, rejoice, or make music, emphasizing the lively and joyful nature of the event rather than just playing instruments.
  • "before" (פָּנִים, pānîm): This word literally means "face" or "presence," so "before the LORD" suggests being directly in God’s presence, not just performing for people.
  • "fir" (בְּרוֹשׁ, berosh) and "wood" (עֵץ, ‘ēts): The mention of fir wood for the instruments shows attention to quality and detail, reflecting the importance of the occasion.
  • "harps" (כִּנּוֹר, kinnor), "psalteries" (נֵבֶל, nevel), "timbrels" (תֹּף, tof), "cornets" (מְנַעֲנִעַ, mena‘anea‘), "cymbals" (מְצִלְתַּיִם, metziltayim): Listing these instruments gives a sense of the rich musical tradition and the full soundscape of the celebration.

Why 2 Samuel 6:5 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that worship in ancient Israel was quiet or somber; instead, it was often loud, joyful, and involved the whole community.
  • The detailed mention of instruments and materials emphasizes that worship was not just spiritual but also involved creativity, skill, and preparation.
  • 2 Samuel 6:5 sets the stage for the dramatic events that follow in the chapter, showing the high point of celebration before the story takes a sudden turn.

Where else these words appear

“cymbals” Hebrew H6767 · used in 5 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:42 All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume.
  • Job 41:7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
  • Psalms 150:5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.

“timbrels” Hebrew H8596 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 31:27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
  • 1 Chronicles 13:8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
  • Isaiah 5:12 And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

“fir” Hebrew H1265 · used in 20 verses

  • 1 Kings 5:8 And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:8 Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,
  • Isaiah 55:13 Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle tree: and it shall be to the LORD for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off.

“played” Hebrew H7832 · used in 36 verses

  • Judges 16:25 And it came to pass, when their hearts were merry, that they said, Call for Samson, that he may make us sport. And they called for Samson out of the prison house; and he made them sport: and they set him between the pillars.
  • Job 39:7 He scorneth the multitude of the city, neither regardeth he the crying of the driver.
  • Proverbs 8:30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;