Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: • H6767: צְלָצַל (tselatsal) • Refers to a musical instrument, specifically a cymbal, used in the context of worship and celebration in the Old Testament.
• H4700: מְצִלְתַּיִם (metsiltayim) • Another term for cymbals, often mentioned in the context of temple worship and musical praise in the Psalms and other Old Testament passages.

Usage: The term κύμβαλον is used in the New Testament to describe a musical instrument, specifically a cymbal, which is often associated with loud and celebratory music. It appears in contexts emphasizing sound and resonance.

Context: The Greek word κύμβαλον appears in the New Testament in 1 Corinthians 13:1, where the Apostle Paul uses it metaphorically to describe the emptiness of speaking in tongues without love: "If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal." Here, the cymbal is used to illustrate the idea of noise without substance, emphasizing the importance of love as the underlying motive for spiritual gifts.

In the cultural context of the ancient world, cymbals were commonly used in both religious and secular music. They were part of the musical ensembles in Greek and Roman traditions and were also present in Jewish worship, as seen in the Old Testament. The sound of cymbals was associated with celebration, triumph, and sometimes, divine worship, as they were used in temple ceremonies and other significant events.

The metaphorical use of κύμβαλον in 1 Corinthians highlights the potential for spiritual activities to become hollow without the foundational element of love. This passage serves as a reminder of the primacy of love in the Christian life, suggesting that actions, no matter how impressive, are meaningless without it.