### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word kithára (κιθάρα, `{{G2788}}`) denotes a stringed musical instrument, most accurately translated as "lyre" or "cithara." In ancient Greek culture, the kithára was a prominent and professional instrument, distinct from the simpler lyra (λύρα) by its larger size, heavier construction, and often greater number of strings (typically seven to eleven). It was played with a plectrum and was associated with public performances, musical contests, and religious ceremonies, producing a rich and resonant sound. While often rendered "harp" in English translations, it is important to note that this refers to a type of hand-held lyre rather than the large, floor-standing harps of later periods. The core meaning emphasizes its function as a melodic and rhythmic instrument used for accompaniment and performance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term kithára appears four times in the New Testament, exclusively within the apocalyptic visions of the book of Revelation.
1. **[[Revelation 5:8]]**: "And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp (*kithára*) and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."
* Here, the kithára is integral to the scene of heavenly worship. Its presence alongside "golden bowls full of incense" (representing the prayers of the saints) signifies its role in accompanying adoration and intercession before God. It suggests a harmonious and reverent offering, a part of the celestial liturgy.
2. **[[Revelation 14:2]]**: "And I heard a voice from heaven, like the sound of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpers playing on their harps (*kithára*)."
* This verse describes the majestic sound emanating from heaven, comparing it to the powerful and beautiful sound of multiple kithára players. The imagery evokes a grand, celestial orchestra, emphasizing the beauty, power, and overwhelming nature of heavenly worship and praise. The sound is not merely loud but also perfectly harmonious, indicative of divine order.
3. **[[Revelation 15:2]]**: "And I saw what appeared to be a sea of glass mingled with fire—and also those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps (*kithára*) of God."
* In this context, the kithára is explicitly identified as "harps of God," indicating their divine origin or special purpose. They are held by the victorious saints, those who have triumphed over the forces of evil. This passage directly links the instrument to victory, deliverance, and the subsequent praise offered to God for His salvific work. It is an instrument of celebration for the redeemed.
4. **[[Revelation 18:22]]**: "And the sound of harpers and musicians, of flute players and trumpeters, will be heard in you no more, and a craftsman of any craft will be found in you no more, and the sound of the mill will be heard in you no more."
* This verse describes the utter desolation and judgment of Babylon. The cessation of the sounds of music, including the kithára, signifies the end of joy, celebration, prosperity, and indeed, all forms of life and worship within the fallen city. It starkly contrasts the vibrant, worshipping heavenly realm with the silent, desolate earthly city under divine wrath.
Across these occurrences, the kithára consistently appears in contexts of heavenly worship, divine praise, and the celebration of God's triumph, or conversely, its absence signifies judgment and desolation.
### Related Words & Concepts
The concept of stringed instruments used in worship and celebration is deeply embedded in biblical tradition, particularly in the Old Testament.
* **Hebrew Equivalents:** The most direct Old Testament parallels to kithára are:
* `{{H3658}}` (kinnôr): Often translated "lyre" or "harp," famously associated with King David ([[1 Samuel 16:23]]). Like the kithára, it was a portable stringed instrument used for praise, lament, and prophecy ([[Psalm 33:2]]).
* `{{H5035}}` (nēḇel): Another stringed instrument, also translated "harp" or "lyre," possibly larger than the kinnôr. Both kinnôr and nēḇel are frequently mentioned in the Psalms as instruments of praise to Yahweh ([[Psalm 150:3]]).
* **Worship and Praise:** The kithára is intrinsically linked to the broader biblical theme of worship, especially musical praise. It serves as an instrument for the heavenly host and the redeemed to express adoration, thanksgiving, and awe before the divine.
* **Heavenly Liturgy:** Its presence in Revelation places the kithára within the eschatological vision of heavenly worship, where all creation and the redeemed participate in continuous adoration of God and the Lamb. This concept of a celestial choir and orchestra underscores the beauty and complexity of divine praise.
* **Victory and Deliverance:** In [[Revelation 15:2]], the kithára is held by those who have overcome, associating the instrument with the celebration of God's decisive victory over evil. This resonates with Old Testament narratives where music accompanied military triumphs and acts of deliverance ([[Exodus 15:20-21]]).
### Theological Significance
The kithára in the New Testament, particularly its prominent role in Revelation, carries significant theological implications:
1. **Instrument of Exalted Worship:** Its consistent appearance in the heavenly throne room underscores the centrality and beauty of musical praise in the worship of God. It signifies a harmonious, beautiful, and intentional offering of adoration to the Almighty and the Lamb, suggesting that worship in heaven is holistic, involving aesthetic and auditory expressions of devotion.
2. **Symbol of Divine Harmony and Order:** The imagery of the sound of many kithára ([[Revelation 14:2]]) evokes a sense of majestic harmony and perfect order. This reflects the inherent beauty and consonance of God's presence and the celestial realm, standing in stark contrast to the discord and chaos of the fallen world.
3. **Emblem of Victorious Redemption:** The "harps of God" held by the conquerors of the beast ([[Revelation 15:2]]) transform the instrument into a powerful symbol of triumph and the celebratory praise offered by the redeemed. It signifies that salvation culminates in joyful worship, a testament to God's faithfulness and power in delivering His people. The ability to play these instruments is presented as a privilege and a gift of the redeemed in glory.
4. **Contrast with Earthly Desolation:** The absence of the kithára in the description of Babylon's fall ([[Revelation 18:22]]) serves as a stark reminder of the spiritual barrenness and judgment awaiting those who reject God. It underscores that true joy, life, and worship are found only in God's presence, while rebellion leads to utter silence and desolation.
5. **Continuity in Worship:** The use of a stringed instrument for worship in Revelation provides a profound continuity with the rich tradition of musical praise in the Old Testament, particularly the Psalms, where the kinnôr (harp/lyre) was a primary instrument of devotion. This bridges the Old and New Covenants in their expression of worship, highlighting the timeless nature of praising God through music.
### Summary
The Greek word kithára (κιθάρα, `{{G2788}}`), denoting a "lyre" or "harp," is exclusively found in the book of Revelation within the New Testament. Its four occurrences consistently place it in contexts of heavenly worship and divine praise. The kithára is depicted as an instrument held by the heavenly host and the redeemed, used to offer adoration to God and the Lamb ([[Revelation 5:8]], [[Revelation 14:2]], [[Revelation 15:2]]). It symbolizes the harmonious, majestic, and victorious praise offered in the heavenly realm, embodying divine order and the triumph of the redeemed. Conversely, its absence in the description of Babylon's fall ([[Revelation 18:22]]) signifies desolation and the cessation of joy and life apart from God. The kithára thus stands as a powerful symbol of the beauty, order, and celebratory nature of worship in God's presence, linking the eschatological vision of Revelation with the rich tradition of musical praise found throughout Scripture.
TRV