Page 102 - Daniel

Recent studies on the musical instruments mentioned in Daniel 3 have
given support to the authenticity of these instruments in the sixth
century B.C. Further studies by Yamauchi support the conclusion that

Greek words in Daniel are not to be unexpected and in fact illustrate the
interchange of cultures in the ancient world. 27

The first instrument was a horn. Though it usually referred to the horn
of an animal, it also described musical instruments made of wood or
metal. The second instrument was a pipe, this identification being based
on the fact that the word comes from a root that means “to hiss.” 28

With the third instrument Daniel introduced a new grouping in
Nebuchadnezzar’s musicians. While the first two instruments are wind
instruments, the next three are stringed instruments. The first of these is

translated as “lyre” in the ESV and has been variously identified as the
harp, lyre, or zither. The “trigon” may be identified with the Greek
sambukē and Roman sambuca, which was a horizontal, angular harp. 29
This word was incorrectly translated as “sackbut” in the KJV. The word
translated “harp” was likely a trapezoid-shaped dulcimer either plucked
or played with plectra (small piece of metal or wood).

The final instrument is translated “bagpipes,” but this identification is
problematic. There is good linguistic evidence for identifying it as a
drum, similar to a tympani. Besides, it would seem odd to list two wind