Tambourines in Scripture

The Hebrew word for tambourine is TOPH (Strongs 8596)


The Hebrew word for playing a tambourine is TAPHAPH (Strongs 8608)

The tambourine has been used since ancient times


Laban wanted to send Jacob and his family away with music - Genesis 3v27


Job speaks about people who played music and tambourines but did not want to know God - Job 21v12

The tambourine was used in warfare and to celebrate victory

The Lord defeating His enemies to the sound of the tambourine - Isaiah 30v32


Miriam led the women in praising God for His deliverance from the Egyptians
Exodus 15v20


Celebrating David's victory over the Philistines - 1 Samuel 18v6


Jephtah's daughter meeting him after his victory - Judges 11v34

The tambourine was used in praise and worship


Prophets using the tambourine and other instruments
1 Samuel 10v5
2 Samuel 6v5
1 Chronicles 13v8
Psalm 68v25
Psalm 81v2


The praise and worship was joyful, but done in an orderly manner

The tambourine is associated with dance


Psalm 149v3
Psalm 150v4
Jeremiah 31v4


See also some of the previous references
Exodus 15v20
Judges 11v34
1 Samuel 18v6