Attributed commentary excerpt
John Gill's Exposition on Daniel 3:5
A historical reference excerpt for this verse. Read it alongside the biblical text and other available sources.
Exposition of the Old and New Testament
John Gill (1697–1771) · 18th-century historical commentary
Source: BibleWord.ai's local reference edition of this named work.
That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, etc.] So called of the horn of which it was made; a sort of trumpet; so the Jews had trumpets of rams’ horns: flute; or pipe, or whistle, so called for its hissing noise; it is used of the shepherd’s pipe or whistle; (see <381008>Zechariah 10:8), harp; an instrument of music used by David, and much in use among the Jews, and other nations; sackbut; or “sambuca”; which, according to Athenaeusf127, was a four stringed instrument, an invention of the Syrians; and Strabof128, a Greek writer, speaks of it as a barbarous name, as the eastern ones were reckoned by the Grecians: psaltery; this seems to be a Greek word, as does the next that follows, rendered “dulcimer”; but in the original text is “symphonia”; which does not signify symphony, or a concert or consort of music, but a particular instrument of music. Maimonidesf129 makes mention of it as a musical instrument, among others; Serviusf130 calls it an oblique pipe; and Isidoref131 describes it a hollow piece of wood, with leather stretched upon it, and beat upon with rods or sticks, something like our drum: the king of Babylon might have Grecian musicians, or, however, Grecian instruments of music, in his court, as the Grecians had from the eastern nations: and all kinds of music; that could be had or thought of; and this was done in honour to this idol, and to allure carnal sensual persons to the worship of it, according to the order given: ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up; when they heard the music sound, immediately they were to repair to the plain where the image stood, and pay their adoration to it; or to fall down prostrate in their own houses in honour of it; and perhaps persons were appointed in all cities and towns throughout the empire to play this music; at hearing which, all people, nations, and tongues, were to bow down, in token of their religious regard unto it.
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