κύμβαλον (kumbalon)
kumbalon
cymbal
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun kumbalon refers to a pair of hand cymbals, typically made of brass or bronze. In the ancient world, these were percussion instruments consisting of two hollow bowls struck together to produce a sharp, resonant sound. The term appears only once in the New Testament, in Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church.
Paul uses this specific image to illustrate the emptiness of spiritual gifts without love. He writes that speaking with human or angelic tongues is meaningless if one lacks love, comparing such speech to a "clanging cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1). The Greek word derives from kymbē, meaning a cup or bowl, highlighting the instrument's physical shape. This single occurrence emphasizes that without love, even the most impressive displays of ability are merely noise.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word kumbalon describes a pair of hand cymbals struck together to make a loud, sharp noise. Paul uses this image in his letter to Corinth to show that spiritual gifts lose their value without love. Even the most impressive abilities feel empty if they are not rooted in genuine care for others.
This reminds us that our words and actions should aim to build up those around us. A clanging sound grabs attention, but it does not comfort or heal. Love gives meaning to every gift we have, turning noise into something that truly helps people feel valued and understood.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a cymbal1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- κύμβαλον1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 13:1
If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
Paul uses the cymbal to show that spiritual gifts without love are just loud noise.