Original Word: נְחִילָה
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: nchiylah
Pronunciation: ne-khee-LAH
Phonetic Spelling: (nekh-ee-law')
KJV: (plural) Nehiloth
Word Origin: [probably denominative from H2485 (חָלִיל - flute)]

1. a flute

a flute

Probably denominative from chaliyl; a flute -- (plural) Nehiloth.

see HEBREW chaliyl

Word Origin
perhaps from chalil
Definition
perhaps flute (a musical instrument).

[נְחִילָה] noun feminine meaning unknown; only; plural in phrase אֶלהַֿנְּחִילוֺת Psalm 5:1 (title); most conjecture = נְחִלּוֺת √חלל = חָלִיל flute; see against this Bae^{Einl. xi}, who thinks (compare ᵐ5 ὑπὲρ τῆς Κληρονομούσης = אֶלהַֿנֹּחֶלֶת [compare ᵑ9], Jerome [Aq Symm] pro hereditatibus = אֶלהַֿנְּחָלֹת) possibly designation of a melody.

II. נָחַל (√ of following; meaning unknown).

Biblical Occurrence and Context

Nehilah appears once, in the superscription of Psalm 5. The Berean Standard Bible reads: “For the choirmaster. For flutes. A Psalm of David.” By this direction the psalm is set to wind instruments as David lifts a dawn prayer: “In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation” (Psalm 5:3).

Musical and Liturgical Significance

1. Variety in Worship. Alongside headings that call for stringed instruments (Psalm 4) or specific tunes (Psalm 6), Nehilah shows that Israel’s praise encompassed diverse sounds. Psalm 150:4 invites “praise Him with flute and harp,” validating the superscription’s instruction.
2. Tone of Supplication. The soft timbre of the flute suits Psalm 5’s movement from humble petition to confident joy: “Let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever shout for joy” (Psalm 5:11).
3. Temple Associations. Wind instruments were assigned to Levites for formal services (1 Chronicles 15:16; 1 Chronicles 16:42). Thus Nehilah situates David’s personal plea within ordered corporate worship.

Historical Background of Wind Instruments in Israel

Archaeology uncovers reed and bone flutes from the Late Bronze and Iron Ages. Scripture references them in celebration (1 Kings 1:40) and lament (Jeremiah 48:36). By David’s era they were common in royal and cultic settings, enabling rhythmic accompaniment and melodic counterpoint to vocal psalmody.

Theological Themes

• Breath and Spirit. The flute sounds by human breath, mirroring the “breath of life” God imparts (Genesis 2:7) and the Spirit who animates praise (Psalm 150:6).
• Ordered Devotion. Specifying instrumentation models worship that is beautiful yet disciplined, echoing the New Testament exhortation, “Let all things be done decently and in order” (1 Corinthians 14:40).
• Covenant Contrast. Psalm 5 opposes the righteous to those whose “throats are open graves” (Psalm 5:9). The gentle flute underscores the righteous petitioner’s trust in divine justice.

Messianic Reflection

Early Christian interpreters heard Christ’s voice in Psalm 5’s morning prayer (Mark 1:35). The unobtrusive flute anticipates the Servant who “will not cry out or raise His voice” (Isaiah 42:2), portraying the Messiah’s humble yet resolute dependence on the Father.

Contemporary Ministry Application

• Employ varied instrumentation to reflect the fullness of biblical worship.
• Use soft wind instruments to frame times of confession and intercession.
• Teach superscriptions to deepen congregational understanding of Scripture’s structure.
• Let every breath-powered note remind believers that true worship is Spirit-enabled and Christ-exalting.

Related References

Genesis 4:21; 1 Kings 1:40; 1 Chronicles 15:16; 1 Chronicles 16:42; 2 Chronicles 5:12; Isaiah 30:29; Jeremiah 48:36; Psalm 150:4-6; 1 Corinthians 14:40.

הַנְּחִיל֗וֹת הנחילות han·nə·ḥî·lō·wṯ hannechiLot hannəḥîlōwṯInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts