Minstrel

Minstrel. The Hebrew word in 2Ki 3:15, properly signifies a player upon a stringed instruments like the harp or kinnor, See Harp, whatever its precise character may have been, on which David played before Saul, 1Sa 16:16; 1Sa 18:10; 1Sa 19:9, and which the harlots of the great cities used to carry with them as they walked, to attract notice. Isa 23:16. The "minstrels" in Mat 9:23, were the flute-players who were employed as professional mourners, to whom frequent allusion is made. 2Ch 35:25; Ecc 12:5; Jer 9:17-20.

A player upon the" harp" or kinor (1Sa 16:16; 1Sa 18:10; 1Sa 19:9). Elisha called for a minstrel to withdraw his mind from the outer world, so that his spirit might be in a state to receive the divine revelation (2Ki 3:15). Music was often so used to prepare the frame for spiritual influences (1Sa 10:5-11) and to soothe an evil spirit of excitement, as when David played to calm Saul. In Mat 9:23 the "minstrels" were flute players employed as professional mourners at a funeral (Ecc 12:5; Jer 9:17-20; 2Ch 35:25).

The word nagan signifies a player on a stringed instrument, a harpist, though used of players of any musical instrument. Elisha once when solicited to give advice asked for a minstrel to be brought, and ’when the minstrel played, the hand of the Lord came upon him.’ 2Ki 3:15. The minstrels mentioned in Mat 9:23 were pipers or flute-players hired to assist in mourning.

min´strel. See MUSIC.

(áὐëçôÞò, from áὐëüò, ‘pipe’)

The word appears twice in the NT. In Mat_9:23 áὐëçôÜò is translated ‘minstrels’ in the Authorized Version , and more correctly in the Revised Version ‘flute-players.’ In Rev_18:22 áὐëçôῶí is rendered ‘pipers’ in the Authorized Version , while the Revised Version retains ‘flute-players’; but the latter version specifies the general term ìïõóéêῶí in the same verse as ‘minstrels’ (see Pipe, Flute).

Archibald Main.