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קִיתָרֹס

𐤒𐤉𐤕𐤓𐤎

qîythârôç

H7030 noun

SILEX Entry

Root uncertain to play a stringed instrument, stringed instrument

Definition

A stringed musical instrument, typically resembling a lyre or harp, used in musical accompaniment, especially within royal, cultic, or ceremonial contexts. The term refers to an instrument with strings stretched across a frame, played by plucking or strumming.

Semantic Range

lyre, harp, stringed instrument (esp. of Hellenistic or foreign origin), kithara

Root / Etymology

Borrowed from Greek kithara (κιθάρα), denoting a specific type of lyre or large harp. The word is not derived from a native Semitic root but entered Aramaic (and thus Biblical Hebrew texts with Aramaic influence) due to cultural contact with Hellenistic or Persian Greek-speaking societies. The Greek term itself became widespread throughout the ancient Near East during the Persian and Hellenistic periods.

Historical & Contextual Notes

קִיתָרֹס occurs in the Aramaic sections of Daniel (e.g., Daniel 3:5, 7, 10, 15) where it is listed among several musical instruments associated with the grand ceremonial music of the Babylonian and later Persian courts. The word refers to a specific type of stringed instrument likely similar to the Greek kithara—a larger, more sophisticated lyre. Its presence in the biblical text is a marker of foreign influence and the cosmopolitan culture of the exilic and post-exilic periods. English translations often render it as 'harp' or 'lyre,' but this may not capture the precise type of instrument implied. The קִיתָרֹס is distinct from other Hebrew terms for stringed instruments such as כִּנּוֹר (kinnor, another lyre or harp), and נֵבֶל (nevel, a type of harp or lyre). While the translation 'harp' is traditional, the original reference is to an imported Hellenistic instrument. The later English word 'guitar' ultimately derives from the same Greek root, but the ancient instrument differed significantly in form and use.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

(Aramaic) of Greek origin; a lyre; harp.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

קתרס (q-t-r-s) — stringed instrument, playing a stringed instrument

Word Forms

3 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H7030-01 קַתְר֨וֹס qateros ANcmsa lyre stringed lyre 4
H7030-02 קיתרס qytrs ANcmsa harp stringed lyre 3
H7030-03 קיתרוס qytrvs ANcmsa zither kithara 1

Occurrences in Scripture

8 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H7030-03 Daniel 3:5 קיתרוס qytrvs ANcmsa zither kithara
H7030-01 Daniel 3:5 קַתְר֨וֹס qateros ANcmsa lyre stringed lyre
H7030-02 Daniel 3:7 קיתרס qytrs ANcmsa harp stringed lyre
H7030-01 Daniel 3:7 קַתְר֤וֹס qateros ANcmsa lyre stringed lyre
H7030-02 Daniel 3:10 קיתרס qytrs ANcmsa lyre stringed lyre
H7030-01 Daniel 3:10 קַתְר֨וֹס qateros ANcmsa harp stringed lyre
H7030-02 Daniel 3:15 קיתרס qytrs ANcmsa harp stringed lyre
H7030-01 Daniel 3:15 קַתְר֣וֹס qateros ANcmsa lyre stringed lyre
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