ARE WOMEN MUSICIANS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE? Part 2

ARE WOMEN MUSICIANS MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE? Part 2

            As we mentioned in yesterday’s post, the examples of women's involvement in music mentioned in the Old Testament were not a part of Temple worship.  Yesterday we quoted Exodus 15:20-21 which mentioned women’s involvement in music. I Samuel 18:6-7 also considers women being involved as musicians when it states,

            And it came to pass as they came, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Philis­tine, that the women came out of all cities of Israel, singing (7891) and dancing, to meet king Saul, with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of music.

            And the women answered (6030) one (NIO) another (NIO) as they played, and said, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.

On this secular occasion the women (no men involved) played, sang, danced, and anah (6030) sang together by course.

            It is commonly believed that music and especially singing was universal in the ancient Hebrew culture.  "Everyone in Israel sang, and playing the lyre and the timbrel was a common achievement, at least among women."  Curt Sachs, The Rise of Music in the Ancient World p. 90.    Also, "Written records as well as pictorial displays testify to the various activities of women as dancers, singers, and instrumentalists."  Alfred Sendrey, Music in the Social and Religious Life of Antiquity, p. 2.

Thought for the Day

It is a common misconception that the Old Testament mention of women’s involvement as musicians should be considered as Bible principles of musicing in public worship.