ARE WOMEN MUSICIANS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE? Part 1

ARE WOMEN MUSICIANS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE? Part 1

            Along with the age old argument as to whether instruments should be used in the church, is the argument of the use or disuse of women in the music of the ancient Jewish Temple and its relationship to the use of women in church music today.  A review of Scripture does not reveal that women were used as musicians in either the first or the second Temple.  Also, Jewish history or rabbinical literature does not clearly substantiate their involve­ment as professional musicians in the Temple.  Research of other ancient cultures such as that of Egypt has shown that women were used extensively in public worship.  However, the culture and circumstances of ancient Israel precluded the use of women in Temple music.

            We know that it was common practice for women to sing and play instruments in ancient Israel since there are numerous Biblical references to their involvement in music.  Exodus 15:20-21 states, And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after he with timbrels and with dances.  And Miriam answered them, Sing (7891) ye to the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.”  Here we see a public rendering of praise to God in the performance of the "song of Moses."  Moses, the children of Israel (vs. 1) and Miriam and the women (vs. 20) sang the song.  Notice the separation of "Moses and the children of Israel" from the singing, playing and dancing of the women (vs. 20-21).  This example of women's involvement in music was not, of course, a part of Temple worship.

Thought for the day

The reason scholars are so interested in worship in the first and second Temples is that they show us the Old Testament pattern for public worship.