תֹּף (toph)
toph
tambourine
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Definition
Definition
Brown-Driver-Briggs
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for tambourine appears frequently in Scripture, often accompanying songs of victory or worship. It represents a joyful, rhythmic instrument used to celebrate God’s deliverance. When you see this word, think of communal praise and the physical expression of gratitude that early believers shared.
In Exodus 15, Miriam leads women with tambourines after crossing the Red Sea. This shows how music was not just background noise but a central part of responding to God’s mighty acts. It invites us to join in with our whole being, using voice and movement to honor Him.
Even in times of judgment or restoration, the sound of drums marks significant moments. Isaiah speaks of tambourines ceasing during sorrow, yet Jeremiah promises their return when Israel is rebuilt. This reminds us that worship endures through seasons of loss and finds new expression in hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- with/ tambourines3×
- with/ tambourine3×
- the/ tambourine1×
- tambourines/ your1×
- tambourines1×
- tambourine1×
- and/ with/ tambourines1×
- and/ tambourine1×
- and/ on/ tambourines1×
- according to/ tambourine1×
- [will be] with/ tambourines1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- וּ/בְ/תֻפִּ֔ים2×
- בְּ/תֻפִּ֖ים2×
- בְּ/תֹ֥ף2×
- תֻּפִּ֔ים1×
- תֹּ֧ף1×
- תֻפַּ֔יִ/ךְ1×
- כְּ/תֹ֣ף1×
- וְ/תֹף֙1×
- הַ/תֹּ֖ף1×
- בְּ/תֻפִּ֥ים1×
- בְ/תֻפִּ֖ים1×
- בְ/תֹ֣ף1×
Key Verses
-
Exodus 15:20
Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances.
Miriam uses the tambourine to lead a specific song of victory, showing its role in public proclamation of God's rescue.
-
Psalms 149:3
Let them praise his name in the dance! Let them sing praises to him with tambourine and harp!
The psalmist explicitly commands dancing with tambourines as an act of praising the Lord, linking physical movement to spiritual worship.
-
Isaiah 24:8
The mirth of tambourines ceases. The sound of those who rejoice ends. The joy of the harp ceases.
The cessation of tambourine sound signals a time of divine judgment and mourning, contrasting sharply with times of joy.
-
Jeremiah 31:4
I will build you again, and you will be built, O virgin of Israel. You will again be adorned with your tambourines, and will go out in the dances of those who make merry.
God promises the return of tambourines to signify the restoration of Israel, using the instrument as a symbol of future hope.