Original Word: כִּנּוֹר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: kinnowr
Pronunciation: kin-nore'
Phonetic Spelling: (kin-nore')
KJV: harp
NASB: lyre, lyres, harp, harps
Word Origin: [from a unused root meaning to twang]

1. a harp

a harp:

From a unused root meaning to twang; a harp:

Word Origin
of uncertain derivation
Definition
a lyre
NASB Translation
harp (9), harps (2), lyre (16), lyres (15).

כִּנּוֺר noun masculine^{Psalm 81:3} lyre (on formation compare Lag^{BN 89, Anm}.; Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic כִּנָּרָא, ; Mandean כינאר(אׅ Nö^{M § 104} (who questions Shemitic origin); Arabic , ; as loan-word in Hellen. Greek κινύρα (ᵐ5 and Joseph.); in Egyptian kn-an-aul according to Bondi⁷⁹) — absolute ׳כ Genesis 4:21 +; suffix כִּנֹּרִי Job 30:31; plural כִּנֹּרוֺת 1 Kings 10:12 +; suffix כִּנּוֺרַיִךְ Ezekiel 26:13, כִּנֹּרוֺתֵינוּ Psalm 137:2; — lyre, stringed instrument used for popular as well as sacred music (compare Benz^{Archaeology 273 ff.} Now^{Archaeology i. 273 ff.}); — ׳יְעוּגָבכ Genesis 4:21, ׳בְּתֹף וּבְכ Genesis 31:27; ׳אִישׁ יֹדֵעַ מְנַגֵּן בַּכּ 1 Samuel 16:16 a man skilled in playing on the lyre, compare 1 Samuel 16:23 (וִנִגֵּן בְּיָדוֺׅ); at banquets Isaiah 5:12 (+ נֶבֶל, תֹּף, חָלִיל), token of merriment Isaiah 24:8 (+ תֻּמִּים), Ezekiel 26:13, compare וַיְהִי לְאֵבֶל כִּנֹּרִ֑י וְעֻגָבִי לְקוֺל בֹּכִים Job 30:31, וְיִשְׂמְחוּ לְקוֺל עוּגָב ׳יִשְׂאוּ כְתֹף וְכ Job 21:12; carried by a loose woman Isaiah 23:16 (figurative of Tyre); in simile Isaiah 16:11 (of murmuring sound of bowels = heart, in pity); used also in praising ׳י, usually As accompaniment of song (compare 1 Chronicles 15:16) ׳נֵבֶל וְתֹף וְחָלִיל וְכ 1 Samuel 10:5; Isaiah 30:32 ("" תֻּמִּים); especially before the ark 2 Samuel 6:5 (+ נְבָלִים, תֻּמִּים, etc.) "" 1 Chronicles 13:8, and in sanctuary (usually + נֵבֶל, etc.) 1 Kings 10:12, but especially Chronicles, Psalms: — 1 Chronicles 13:8 (plural, and so chiefly in Chronicles), 1 Chronicles 15:16,21,28; 1 Chronicles 16:5; 1 Chronicles 25:1,3,6; 2Chron 5:12; 9:11; 20:28; 29:25; Nehemiah 12:27; Psalm 33:2 (singular, and so chiefly in Psalms), Psalm 43:4; Psalm 49:5; Psalm 57:9; Psalm 71:22; Psalm 81:3; Psalm 92:4; Psalm 98:5 (twice in verse); Psalm 108:3; Psalm 147:7; Psalm 149:3; Psalm 150:3; compare כִּנֹּרוֺתֵינוּ Psalm 137:2. — Vbs. used with ׳כ are: — תָּפַשׂ Genesis 4:21, נִגֵּן בְּ 1 Samuel 16:16, מְשַׂחֵק בְּ 2 Samuel 6:5 = 1 Chronicles 13:8, מְשֹׁרֲרִים בּ 1 Chronicles 15:16, מַשְׁמִיעִים בְּ 1 Chronicles 15:28, נִבָּא בְּ 1 Chronicles 25:1,3, הוֺדָה בְּ Psalm 33:2; Psalm 43:4, זמּר בְּ Psalm 71:22; Psalm 98:5; Psalm 147:7; Psalm 149:3, הַלֲלוּהוּ בְּ Psalm 150:3. — On ancient lyres see references in Dr^{Amos, p. 236 f}.

Historical Background and Instrument Construction

The כִּנּוֹר (kinor) is first named in Genesis 4:21 as the earliest known musical instrument, indicating its antiquity and pervasiveness in Near-Eastern culture. Archaeological reliefs and later rabbinic descriptions suggest a small, portable wooden frame strung with from seven to ten gut strings, plucked with the fingers or a plectrum. Unlike the larger nebel (harp), the kinor was light enough for shepherds, travelers, and temple musicians alike, making it a ubiquitous accompaniment for both private devotion and corporate worship.

Distribution in Scripture

Approximately forty-two occurrences span the Law, Historical Books, Wisdom Literature, and Prophets:

• Patriarchal era: Genesis 4:21; Genesis 31:27
• United Monarchy: 1 Samuel 16; 2 Samuel 6; 1 Kings 10:12
• Chronicler’s History: 1 Chronicles 13; 15; 16; 23–25; 2 Chronicles 5; 9; 20; 29; 35
• Psalms: 33; 43; 49; 57; 71; 92; 137; 144; 147
• Wisdom and Prophets: Job 30:31; Isaiah 16:11; 23:16; 24:8; Amos 5:23; 6:5

This spread underscores the instrument’s continuity from the dawn of human culture through the post-exilic community.

Role in Worship and Liturgy

The kinor was integral to Levitical liturgy. David charged the Levites “to raise their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals” (1 Chronicles 15:16). Under his direction, twenty-four courses of singers and players (1 Chronicles 25:6) used kinoroth “for the service of the house of God,” creating an organized ministry that continued through Solomon’s Temple (2 Chronicles 5:12) and the Second Temple era (Nehemiah 12:27). Its presence with cymbals and trumpets shows a balanced worship soundscape: melody (kinor), harmony (lyre), rhythm (cymbal), and proclamation (trumpet).

Association with Davidic Tradition

The kinor is inseparably linked to David. As a youth he soothed Saul: “David would take the harp and play; then relief would come to Saul” (1 Samuel 16:23). Later, David danced before the Ark while “all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with…harps” (2 Samuel 6:5). Amos 6:5 notes Israel’s elites who “improvise songs like David,” attesting that Davidic musicianship became the benchmark for inspired composition.

Prophetic and Eschatological Imagery

Prophets employ the kinor to portray both judgment and restoration. “The joy of tambourines has ceased; the noise of revelers has stopped; the joyful harp is silent” (Isaiah 24:8) signals impending desolation, while Isaiah 30:32 envisions future praise with stringed instruments when the Lord’s arm strikes Assyria. The imagery flows into Revelation’s “harps of God,” suggesting a canonical thread that culminates in heavenly worship.

Kinor in Personal Lament and Exile

While often joyful, the kinor can voice grief. Job laments, “My harp is tuned to mourning” (Job 30:31). Exiles hung their kinoroth on Babylonian willows (Psalm 137:2), symbolizing suspended praise when fellowship with God’s dwelling place was severed. The instrument therefore embodies both praise offered and praise withheld, reflecting the worshiper’s spiritual state.

Celebratory and Regal Contexts

The kinor heralded national victories (2 Chronicles 20:28), feast days (Nehemiah 12:27), and royal occasions. Solomon imported almug wood and “made harps and lyres for the singers” (1 Kings 10:12), showing royal patronage of musical excellence. Temporal splendor thus served eternal praise.

Didactic and Theological Implications

1. Music is not morally neutral; Spirit-filled skill on the kinor dispelled demonic oppression (1 Samuel 16:23).
2. Instrumental praise is commanded: “Give thanks to the LORD with the harp” (Psalm 33:2).
3. Worship embraces the whole life-range of emotion—jubilation to lament—demonstrated by the kinor’s versatility.
4. Orderly ministry (1 Chronicles 25) weds artistic gifting to spiritual authority, a model for modern worship teams.

Practical Ministry Applications

• Encourage skillful training; David appointed the “skillful” (1 Chronicles 15:22).
• Integrate stringed instruments to support congregational singing, balancing volume so the Word remains central.
• Employ instrumental interludes for reflection in services, following the kinor’s role in soothing and preparing hearts.
• Teach the congregation that instruments, like words, proclaim theology; intentional selection honors God.

Conclusion

Whether in shepherd fields, royal courts, or the temple courts, the כִּנּוֹר provided a melodic conduit for human response to divine revelation. Its biblical arc—creation, covenant, exile, and anticipated consummation—invites every generation to “sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy” (Psalm 33:3).

בְּ֝כִנּ֗וֹר בְּכִנֹּר֥וֹת בְּכִנּ֑וֹר בְּכִנּֽוֹר׃ בְכִנּ֑וֹר בְכִנּ֗וֹר בְכִנּֽוֹר׃ בַּכִּנּ֑וֹר בַּכִּנּ֔וֹר בכנור בכנור׃ בכנרות הַכִּנּ֖וֹר הכנור וְ֝כִנּ֗וֹר וְכִנֹּר֔וֹת וְכִנֹּר֖וֹת וְכִנֹּר֥וֹת וְכִנֹּרֽוֹת׃ וְכִנּ֑וֹר וְכִנּ֔וֹר וְכִנּ֗וֹר וְכִנּֽוֹר׃ וּבְכִנֹּר֑וֹת וּבְכִנֹּר֔וֹת וּבְכִנֹּר֖וֹת וּבְכִנֹּר֤וֹת וּבְכִנֹּרֽוֹת׃ וּבְכִנֹּרוֹת֙ וּבְכִנּֽוֹר׃ ובכנור׃ ובכנרות ובכנרות׃ וכנור וכנור׃ וכנרות וכנרות׃ כִּנֹּרִ֑י כִּנֹּרוֹתֵֽינוּ׃ כִּנּ֖וֹר כִּנּֽוֹר׃ כִּנּוֹרַ֔יִךְ כִנּ֛וֹר כִנּ֜וֹר כַּכִּנּ֖וֹר ככנור כנור כנור׃ כנוריך כנרותינו׃ כנרי bak·kin·nō·wr bakkinNor bakkinnōwr bə·ḵin·nō·rō·wṯ bə·ḵin·nō·wr ḇə·ḵin·nō·wr bechinNor bechinnoRot bəḵinnōrōwṯ bəḵinnōwr ḇəḵinnōwr chinNor hak·kin·nō·wr hakkinNor hakkinnōwr kak·kin·nō·wr kakkinNor kakkinnōwr kin·nō·rî kin·nō·rō·w·ṯê·nū kin·nō·w·ra·yiḵ kin·nō·wr ḵin·nō·wr kinNor kinnoRayich kinnoRi kinnōrî kinnoroTeinu kinnōrōwṯênū kinnōwr ḵinnōwr kinnōwrayiḵ ū·ḇə·ḵin·nō·rō·wṯ ū·ḇə·ḵin·nō·wr ūḇəḵinnōrōwṯ ūḇəḵinnōwr uvechinNor uvechinnoRot vechinNor vechinnoRot wə·ḵin·nō·rō·wṯ wə·ḵin·nō·wr wəḵinnōrōwṯ wəḵinnōwrInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts