Tracing Music’s Origin—part 3

Tracing Music’s Origin—part 3

            Although the Book of genesis does not say much directly about music, we are not completely left in the dark concerning the possibilities of the beginnings of music since we have the mention of Jubal and his music instruments early in the Genesis record.  By the time of Jacob (Genesis 31:27), we have record of songs, the frame drum translated in the KJV (toph 8596), and the lyre (kinore 3658) translated harp in the KJV.  At the time of the Exodus (15:1-22) we have songs being written and group singing (vs.1).  In verse 20 we have the addition of the word mecholah (4246) which no doubt meant piping.  So we can see that music was very well developed by the time of the Exodus and even before that time.  A review of Scripture reveals that during Israel’s early period of nomadic life, instrumental music was well developed.