Cymbal

A musical instrument consisting of two broad plates of brass, of a convex form, which being struck together, produce a shrill, piercing sound. From Ps 150:5, it would appear that both hand-cymbals and finger-cymbals, or castagnets, were used. They were used in the temple, and upon occasions of public rejoicings, 1Ch 13.8; 16.5, as they are by the Armenians at the present day. In 1Co 13:1, the apostle deduces a comparison from sounding brass and "tinkling" cymbals; perhaps the latter words had been better rendered clanging or clattering cymbals, since such is the nature of the instrument. SeeMUSIC.