κιθαρίζω (kitharizō)
kitharizō
to play the harp
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb kitharizō means to play the harp or lyre, referring to the specific act of performing music on this stringed instrument. In the New Testament, it appears only twice, linking musical performance with spiritual proclamation in distinct contexts.
In First Corinthians 14:7, Paul uses the word metaphorically to argue for clarity in communication. He asks how an harpist can produce a clear note if they do not strike the strings properly, illustrating that unintelligible speech is as useless as discordant music. The image emphasizes the need for precision and purpose in speaking.
The second occurrence in Revelation 14:2 describes a heavenly vision where voices like many waters are heard alongside those playing their harps. Here, the action accompanies worship, suggesting a role in praising God within the celestial scene. The term grounds this spiritual experience in tangible, earthly musical practice.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kitharizō appears only twice in the New Testament, yet it carries a quiet weight for how we understand communication and worship. In First Corinthians, Paul uses the image of a harpist to make a practical point about clarity. If the strings are not struck with purpose, the music becomes noise. This reminds us that our words, like musical notes, need intention to be heard and understood.
Revelation offers a different picture, where harpists play in the presence of God alongside voices like rushing water. Here, the act of playing is woven into heavenly praise, grounding spiritual worship in tangible, earthly practice. Whether we are speaking clearly to one another or joining in celestial song, this word points to the beauty of ordered, meaningful expression.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- is being harped?1×
- harping1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κιθαριζόντων1×
- κιθαριζόμενον;1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 14:7
Even lifeless things that make a sound, whether pipe or harp, if they didn’t give a distinction in the sounds, how would it be known what is piped or harped?
Paul uses this term metaphorically to argue that clear communication requires purposeful action, just as a harpist must strike strings correctly to produce distinct notes.
-
Revelation of John 14:2
I heard a sound from heaven like the sound of many waters and like the sound of a great thunder. The sound which I heard was like that of harpists playing on their harps.
The word describes the heavenly worship scene where harpists play alongside voices like many waters, linking musical performance with divine praise.