or נֵבֶל; from נָבֵל; a skin-bag for liquids (from collapsing when empty); hence, a vase (as similar in shape when full); also a lyre (as having a body of like form); bottle, pitcher, psaltery, vessel, viol.
Transliteration:nebel
Pronunciation:neh'-bel
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term נֶבֶל (nebel, `{{H5035}}`) possesses a rich and varied semantic range, stemming from its underlying etymology. The base definition points to "a skin-bag for liquids," specifically noting its tendency to "collapse when empty." This characteristic is directly linked to the root verb נָבֵל (nabel, `{{H5034}}`), which means "to wither, fade, or collapse," and also "to be foolish." This connection highlights the perishable and transient nature inherent in the primary meaning.
From this core sense of a collapsible container, the meaning expands. It can refer to "a vase" or "pitcher" (bottle, vessel), likely due to a similar shape when full, or its function as a container for liquids. Most notably, נֶבֶל also designates a specific stringed musical instrument, often translated as "psaltery," "lyre," or "viol." This association is attributed to the instrument's body, which was typically a hollow, resonant chamber, perhaps resembling a skin-bag or vase in form. Thus, the word encompasses both utilitarian objects for storage and sacred instruments for worship, all tied by a common thread of shape or function related to containing or resonating.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of נֶבֶל in the Hebrew Bible reflect its diverse meanings:
1. **Skin-bag/Bottle/Pitcher:** In this sense, נֶבֶל denotes a container for liquids, particularly wine or water.
* [[1 Samuel 1:24]] mentions a "bottle of wine" (נֶבֶל יַיִן) brought by Hannah to the house of the LORD, indicating a significant quantity.
* [[Joshua 9:4]] describes the Gibeonites using "old and torn and mended wine skins" (נֹאדוֹת יַיִן בָּלִים וּמְבֻקָּעִים וּמְתֻלָּאִים), though the specific word here is נֹאד (nod), it reinforces the common use of skin-bags for wine. However, [[Joshua 9:13]] explicitly uses נְבָלִים (nebalim, plural of nebel) for "wine skins that were new when filled, but now are cracked." This highlights the perishable nature.
* In [[Judges 7:16]], Gideon's men carry "empty pitchers" (כַּדִּים רֵקִים) with torches inside, though here the word is כַּד (kad), the concept of a container is similar.
* [[1 Samuel 10:3]] speaks of "three bottles of wine" (שְׁלֹשָׁה נִבְלֵי יַיִן), again emphasizing its use for liquid transport.
2. **Musical Instrument (Psaltery/Lyre/Viol):** This is perhaps the most frequent and significant use of נֶבֶל, often appearing in contexts of worship, praise, and celebration. It is frequently mentioned alongside the כִּנּוֹר (kinnor, `{{H3658}}`, "lyre" or "harp").
* In [[1 Samuel 10:5]], a company of prophets is described prophesying with a "lyre" (נֶבֶל), "tambourine," "flute," and "harp," indicating its role in ecstatic worship.
* [[2 Samuel 6:5]] depicts David and the house of Israel celebrating before the LORD with "all kinds of wood instruments, with lyres (כִּנֹּרוֹת), harps (נְבָלִים), tambourines, rattles, and cymbals," underscoring its place in grand public worship.
* The Psalms frequently call for praise with the נֶבֶל: "Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!" ([[Psalm 33:2]]). This "harp of ten strings" (נֶבֶל עָשׂוֹר) is a specific type of נֶבֶל.
* Other psalmic references include [[Psalm 57:8]], [[Psalm 81:2]], [[Psalm 92:3]], [[Psalm 108:2]], all urging the use of the נֶבֶל in exalting God.
* It is also associated with temple worship, as seen in [[1 Chronicles 15:16]], where Levites are appointed to play musical instruments, including נְבָלִים, for joyful sound.
Contextual analysis reveals that as a container, נֶבֶל often signifies practicality and the transient nature of its contents or itself. As a musical instrument, it symbolizes joyous worship, prophetic utterance, and the intentional offering of praise to God, often in a communal setting.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of נֶבֶל is enriched by examining its connections to other words and broader theological concepts:
* **Etymological Root:** The most crucial connection is to נָבֵל (nabel, `{{H5034}}`), meaning "to wither, fade, collapse," and also "to be foolish" or "to treat with contempt." This root imbues נֶבֶל with a sense of fragility, impermanence, and decay, particularly when referring to the skin-bag. This same root gives rise to נְבָלָה (nebalah, `{{H5039}}`), meaning "disgrace" or "folly," highlighting a moral dimension.
* **Other Containers:** While נֶבֶל specifically refers to a skin-bag or pitcher, other terms like כְּלִי (keli, `{{H3627}}`) serve as a general term for "vessel" or "utensil," and כַּד (kad, `{{H3537}}`) denotes a "jar" or "pitcher," often made of earthenware.
* **Other Musical Instruments:** The נֶבֶל is frequently paired with the כִּנּוֹר (kinnor, `{{H3658}}`, "lyre" or "harp"), which typically had fewer strings and a different shape. Other instruments include the חָלִיל (chalil, `{{H2447}}`, "flute"), תֹּף (toph, `{{H8596}}`, "tambourine"), and שׁוֹפָר (shofar, `{{H7782}}`, "ram's horn"). The variety of instruments, including the נֶבֶל, speaks to the richness of ancient Israelite musical traditions in worship.
* **Concepts of Fragility and Mortality:** The "collapsing" nature of the skin-bag and its root connection to "withering" links נֶבֶל to the broader biblical themes of human mortality and the transient nature of earthly life. This resonates with passages describing humanity as "dust" or "grass that withers."
* **Concepts of Praise and Worship:** The prominent use of נֶבֶל as a musical instrument connects it directly to the theological concept of offering praise to God. It symbolizes the joy, gratitude, and reverence expressed through music in communal and personal worship.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of נֶבֶל is multifaceted, drawing from its dual identity as a fragile container and a vibrant instrument of praise.
Firstly, as a **container, particularly a skin-bag**, נֶבֶל subtly points to themes of fragility and the transient nature of earthly existence. Just as a skin-bag can wear out, crack, or collapse, so too is humanity finite and subject to decay. This resonates with the New Testament concept of "earthen vessels" (`{{G4632}}` ostrakinos) holding divine treasure ([[2 Corinthians 4:7]]), emphasizing human weakness as a backdrop for God's power. Furthermore, the image of "new wine in old wineskins" (though using the Greek `{{G779}}` askos in the NT) draws directly from the principle embodied by the נֶבֶל: new revelation and life from God cannot be contained by old, rigid forms or traditions. This highlights the dynamic and transformative nature of God's work.
Secondly, and perhaps most profoundly, as a **musical instrument**, the נֶבֶל is deeply embedded in the theology of **worship and praise**. Its frequent mention in the Psalms and historical narratives of worship (e.g., Davidic processions, temple service) establishes it as a vital means by which God's people express their adoration, gratitude, and joy. The act of playing the נֶבֶל is not merely entertainment but a sacred offering, a tangible expression of devotion. It signifies the intentional and often communal act of lifting up the soul to God, using the beauty of sound to glorify His name. The "harp of ten strings" (נֶבֶב עָשׂוֹר) often associated with it, suggests a fullness or completeness of praise. Thus, the נֶבֶל embodies the call to fervent and joyful worship, demonstrating that all aspects of creation, including human artistry, can be consecrated to God's glory.
### Summary
The Hebrew word נֶבֶל (nebel, `{{H5035}}`) is a versatile term whose meaning spans from a practical "skin-bag" or "pitcher" to a significant "stringed musical instrument" like a psaltery or lyre. Its etymological root, נָבֵל (nabel, `{{H5034}}`), meaning "to wither" or "collapse," imbues the word with an underlying sense of fragility and transience, particularly evident in its use as a container for liquids. This aspect subtly speaks to the impermanence of physical forms and, by extension, human life.
However, the most prominent biblical usage of נֶבֶל is as an instrument of praise, frequently appearing in the Psalms and narratives of Israelite worship. In this context, the נֶבֶל symbolizes the joyful, intentional, and often communal act of glorifying God through music. It represents a conduit for expressing devotion, gratitude, and reverence. Therefore, נֶבֶל encapsulates a paradox: an object rooted in the idea of decay and impermanence, yet simultaneously a vibrant instrument used to declare the eternal glory of God, inviting all to participate in sacred praise.
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