📖 Biblical Definition
A hand-held drum or tambourine; in Scripture, the instrument of celebratory worship, especially among women. Miriam led Israel's women with timbrels at the Red Sea (Ex 15:20); the women came out to meet Saul and David with timbrels of joy (1 Sam 18:6); David danced before the ark with timbrels and harps; the Psalter calls believers to praise the Lord with the timbrel and dance (Ps 150:4).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
TIM'BREL, n.
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A kind of drum, tabor or tabret, in use from the highest antiquity. Among the Hebrews, it was used chiefly by females, and at occasions of public rejoicing.
📖 Key Scripture
Exodus 15:20 — "Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances."
Psalm 150:4 — "Praise him with the timbrel and dance."
1 Samuel 18:6 — "The women came out of all cities of Israel, singing and dancing... with tabrets, with joy, and with instruments of musick."
Psalm 68:25 — "Among them were the damsels playing with timbrels."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Reformed worship suspects the timbrel; the Psalter commands it.
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The timbrel was the women's celebratory instrument of biblical worship. When the Lord drowned Pharaoh's army at the Red Sea, Miriam picked up a timbrel and led Israel's women in song and dance. When David came home from killing Goliath, the women met him with timbrels. The Psalter calls saints to praise with the timbrel and dance.
Some Reformed and high-church traditions have grown suspicious of percussion and dance, treating them as charismatic novelty or worldly intrusion. Psalm 150 is older than the suspicion. The Lord commanded the timbrel before any modern tradition was born. Recover joy in worship without abandoning reverence; the timbrel and the trumpet belong in the same orchestra; both are commanded.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew toph (H8596).
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H8596 — toph — timbrel, tambourine
G5178 — tumpanon — drum (related; Heb 11:35)
Usage
"The Lord commanded the timbrel before any modern tradition was born."
"Miriam led the women with timbrels at the Red Sea; that is the original celebratory worship."
"The timbrel and the trumpet belong in the same orchestra; both are commanded."