αὐλητής
aulētḗs
G834 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A person who plays the αὐλός (reed-pipe, flute), specifically a flute-player. Primary usage denotes a musician skilled in performing on the flute, often in contexts of entertainment, ceremonies, festivities, or mourning. The term is not restricted to any particular type of event, and may denote both professional musicians and individuals performing in ritual or social contexts.
Semantic Range
flute-player, performer on the aulos, musician (reed-pipe), one who plays at festive or mourning ceremonies, professional or ritual piper
Root / Etymology
From the verb αὐλέω ('to play the flute'), itself derived from αὐλός ('aulos', flute, double-reed pipe). The suffix -ητής indicates an agent or one who does the action implied by the verb.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In Classical and Hellenistic Greek, αὐλητής refers generally to any performer on the αὐλός, an ancient Greek wind instrument somewhat comparable to a modern oboe or a double-reed pipe, not the modern Western flute. The instrument was common in a wide variety of settings, including banquets, religious ceremonies, theater, and especially mourning rituals or funerals, where it played a lamenting role. In the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 9:23), the term denotes a hired flute-player present at mourning or funeral occasions—a common custom in both Greco-Roman and Judean societies of the period. English translations such as 'minstrel' or 'piper' may be misleading, as 'piper' suggests the modern bagpipes, and 'minstrel' can mean a singer or general musician; 'flute-player' better captures the primary sense. In Jewish and Greco-Roman funerary contexts, the presence of αὐληταί signified formal mourning. Septuagint usage mirrors these settings, typically indicating professional musicians rather than amateur performers. The term should be distinguished from κιθαριστής (kitharistēs, lyre-player) and ψαλτῳδός (psaltōdos, singer to stringed accompaniment), reflecting the diversity of roles in ancient musical life.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from αὐλέω; a flute-player:--minstrel, piper.
Root Family
αὐλητής (aulētēs) — flute-player, piper, performer on the aulos
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G834-01 |
αὐλητὰς | auletas | N ACC M PL |
flute players | flute-players | flute-players | 1 |
G834-02 |
αὐλητῶν | auleton | N GEN M PL |
of flute players | of flute-players | of flute players | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
G834-01 |
Matthew 9:23 | αὐλητὰς | auletas | N ACC M PL |
flute players | flute-players | flute-players |
G834-02 |
Revelation 18:22 | αὐλητῶν | auleton | N GEN M PL |
of flute players | of flute-players | of flute players |