Original Word: מְצֵלֶת
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: mtseleth
Pronunciation: met-seel-tah-yeem
Phonetic Spelling: (mets-ay'-leth)
KJV: cymbals
NASB: cymbals
Word Origin: [from H6750 (צָּלַל - tingle)]

1. (only dual) double tinklers, i.e. cymbals

cymbals

From tsalal; (only dual) double tinklers, i.e. Cymbals -- cymbals.

see HEBREW tsalal

Word Origin
from tsalal
Definition
cymbals
NASB Translation
cymbals (13).

מְצִלְתַּיִם feminine noun dual cymbals (apparently later equivalent of צֶלְצְלִים where see references); — ׳מ 1 Chronicles 13:8 ("" 2 Samuel 6:5 see צֶלְצְלִים), 2 Samuel 15:19; 2 Samuel 16:5; 2 Samuel 16:42; 2Sam 25:6; 2Chronicles 5:12,13; 29:25; Ezra 3:10; Nehemiah 12:27; תָּ֑יִם- 1 Chronicles 15:16,28; 1 Chronicles 25:1.

Instrument of Joyful Worship

מְצֵלֶת is consistently rendered “cymbals” in the Berean Standard Bible and is always found in settings of exuberant praise. Their sharp, ringing clash cut through other sounds, summoning the whole assembly to lift unified thanksgiving to the LORD. The instrument embodies the principle voiced in Psalm 150:5, “Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals!”—a summons to wholehearted, audible, and public exaltation.

Davidic Organization of Sacred Music

The first nine occurrences are clustered in the record of David’s liturgical reforms. When the Ark was brought to Jerusalem “David and all Israel played before God with all their might… with cymbals” (1 Chronicles 13:8). Later, David commanded the chiefs of the Levites “to appoint their brothers as singers… sounding loudly with cymbals” (1 Chronicles 15:16). Three Levitical leaders—Asaph, Heman, and Ethan—were singled out “to sound the bronze cymbals” (1 Chronicles 15:19), underlining that this instrument was entrusted to qualified, set-apart ministers. In 1 Chronicles 16:5 and 16:42, Asaph continues to strike the cymbals in the daily service before the Ark, demonstrating how David wove the instrument into regular worship, not merely special occasions.

Ordered Service in the Temple

David’s twenty-four divisions of musicians included cymbal-players (1 Chronicles 25:1, 6). Their presence in the rota shows that precision and continuity, not spontaneity alone, characterized biblical worship. The cymbals provided tempo and emphasis, ensuring that psalms, harps, and lyres could be rendered “under the direction of the king.”

Cymbals at National Milestones

• Dedication of Solomon’s Temple: “The Levites… with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood at the east end of the altar” (2 Chronicles 5:12). Their sound merged with trumpets and voices until “the glory of the LORD filled the house” (verse 13), illustrating that wholehearted musical praise is pleasing to God and invites His manifest presence.
• Hezekiah’s Reforms: The king “stationed the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals” (2 Chronicles 29:25) according to David’s earlier pattern, affirming the enduring validity of Scripture-guided worship practices even in times of spiritual renewal.
• Post-Exilic Restoration: At the laying of the Second Temple’s foundation, “the Levites… took their positions to praise the LORD with cymbals” (Ezra 3:10). Nehemiah records the same instrument at the dedication of Jerusalem’s wall (Nehemiah 12:27), symbolizing continuity between pre-exilic and restored worship and reinforcing corporate identity around the Word and the covenant.

Musical Characteristics and Liturgical Function

Ancient cymbals were typically paired bronze discs struck together. In worship they:

1. Marked rhythm and gave cues to singers and instrumentalists.
2. Signaled transitions in liturgy, much like trumpets signaled march commands.
3. Added brilliance, elevating the festive mood.

Because their volume can overwhelm other sounds, they were reserved for key leaders who understood the flow of worship.

Symbolic Insights

The piercing clash of cymbals pictures undivided zeal. When used without love they become “a clanging cymbal” (1 Corinthians 13:1), but when employed in faith they declare the majesty of God and call His people to unity and glad obedience. Their biblical placement alongside psalms connects disciplined musicianship with prophetic proclamation.

Ministry Application

1. Scriptural Pattern: Worship today benefits from balancing varied instruments, honoring both melody (harps and lyres) and emphatic praise (cymbals).
2. Qualified Leadership: Only consecrated Levites handled the cymbals, reminding churches to entrust visible, directive roles to mature believers.
3. Joyful Testimony: Whether in revival (Hezekiah) or new beginnings (Ezra), cymbals announce hope and covenant faithfulness. Modern assemblies likewise should use music to proclaim God’s mighty acts with clarity and fervor.

Summary

מְצֵלֶת, though small in number of occurrences, threads through pivotal moments—from the Ark’s ascent to Zion to the walls of rebuilt Jerusalem—underscoring that vibrant, ordered, Scripture-shaped praise is central to Israel’s account and remains a model for the worshiping Church.

בִּמְצִלְתַּ֙יִם֙ בִּמְצִלְתַּ֥יִם בַּֽמְצִלְתַּ֔יִם בַּֽמְצִלְתַּ֥יִם במצלתים וּבִמְצִלְתַּ֖יִם וּבִמְצִלְתַּ֜יִם וּבִמְצִלְתָּ֑יִם וּמְצִלְתַּ֙יִם֙ וּמְצִלְתָּ֑יִם ובמצלתים ומצלתים מְצִלְתַּ֖יִם מצלתים bam·ṣil·ta·yim bamṣiltayim bamtzilTayim bim·ṣil·ta·yim bimṣiltayim bimtzilTayim mə·ṣil·ta·yim məṣiltayim metzilTayim ū·ḇim·ṣil·ta·yim ū·ḇim·ṣil·tā·yim ū·mə·ṣil·ta·yim ū·mə·ṣil·tā·yim ūḇimṣiltayim ūḇimṣiltāyim ūməṣiltayim ūməṣiltāyim umetzilTayim uvimtzilTayimInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts