Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version David and all Israel were celebrating with all their might before the LORD, with castanets, harps, lyres, timbrels, sistrums and cymbals. New Living Translation David and all the people of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, singing songs and playing all kinds of musical instruments—lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. English Standard Version And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. Berean Standard Bible David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals. Berean Literal Bible And David and all the house of Israel were playing before the face of YHWH on all kinds of wood instruments of cypress, and on harps, and on stringed instruments, and on tambourines, and on sistrums, and on cymbals. King James Bible And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. New King James Version Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the LORD on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals. New American Standard Bible Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of juniper wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. NASB 1995 Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals. NASB 1977 Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals. Legacy Standard Bible Now David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before Yahweh with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. Amplified Bible Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were celebrating and dancing before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of fir or cypress wood, with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. Berean Annotated Bible David (beloved) and all the house of Israel (he wrestles with God) were celebrating before the LORD {YHWH} with all kinds of wood instruments \before the LORD with all woods of cypress/, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals. Christian Standard Bible David and the whole house of Israel were dancing before the LORD with all kinds of fir wood instruments, lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals. Holman Christian Standard Bible David and the whole house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of fir wood instruments, lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals. American Standard Version And David and all the house of Israel played before Jehovah with all manner of instruments made of fir-wood, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with castanets, and with cymbals. Contemporary English Version Some of the people of Israel were playing music on small harps and other stringed instruments, and on tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. David and the others were happy, and they danced for the LORD with all their might. English Revised Version And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD with all manner of instruments made of fir wood, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with castanets, and with cymbals. GOD'S WORD® Translation David and the entire nation of Israel were celebrating in the LORD's presence with all kinds of instruments made from cypress wood and with lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals. Good News Translation David and all the Israelites were dancing and singing with all their might to honor the LORD. They were playing harps, lyres, drums, rattles, and cymbals. International Standard Version David and the entire assembly of Israel were dancing in the presence of the LORD with all of their strength, accompanied by all sorts of wood instruments, harps, tambourines, castanets, and cymbals. NET Bible while David and all Israel were energetically celebrating before the LORD, singing and playing various stringed instruments, tambourines, rattles, and cymbals. New Heart English Bible And David and the children of Israel played before the LORD with all their strength and with songs, and with harps, and with stringed instruments, and with tambourines, and with castanets, and with cymbals. Webster's Bible Translation And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleDavid and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals. World English Bible David and all the house of Israel played before Yahweh with all kinds of instruments made of cypress wood, with harps, with stringed instruments, with tambourines, with castanets, and with cymbals. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand David and all the house of Israel are playing before YHWH, with all kinds of [instruments] of fir-wood, even with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with horns, and with cymbals. Berean Literal Bible And David and all the house of Israel were playing before the face of YHWH on all kinds of wood instruments of cypress, and on harps, and on stringed instruments, and on tambourines, and on sistrums, and on cymbals. Young's Literal Translation and David and all the house of Israel are playing before Jehovah, with all kinds of instruments of fir-wood, even with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cornets, and with cymbals. Smith's Literal Translation And David and all the house of Israel playing before Jehovah upon all cypress woods, and upon harps, and upon lyres and upon drums, and upon timbrels and upon cymbals. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleBut David and all Israel played before the Lord on all manner of instruments made of wood, on harps and lutes and timbrels and cornets and cymbals. Catholic Public Domain Version But David and all of Israel played before the Lord on every kind of musical instrument made of wood, and on harps, and lyres, and timbrels, and bells, and cymbals. New American Bible while David and all the house of Israel danced before the LORD with all their might, with singing, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals. New Revised Standard Version David and all the house of Israel were dancing before the LORD with all their might, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd David and all the house of Israel danced before the LORD waving branches of cedar trees and cypress, and played upon harps and lyres and timbrels and cornets and cymbals. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And David and all the house of Israel made merry before LORD JEHOVAH with branches of cedar and of cypress and with harps and with lyres and with tambourines and with timbrels and with cymbals OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD with all manner of instruments made of cypress-wood, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with sistra, and with cymbals. Brenton Septuagint Translation And David and the children of Israel were playing before the Lord on well-tuned instruments mightily, and with songs, and with harps, and with lutes, and with drums, and with cymbals, and with pipes. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Uzzah Touches the Ark5David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD with all kinds of wood instruments, harps, stringed instruments, tambourines, sistrums, and cymbals. 6When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen had stumbled.… Cross References David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD 1 Chronicles 13:8 David and all the Israelites were celebrating before God with all their might, with songs and on harps and lyres, with tambourines, cymbals, and trumpets. 1 Chronicles 15:28 So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, with the sounding of rams’ horns and trumpets, and with cymbals and the music of harps and lyres. with all kinds of wood instruments, 1 Kings 10:12 The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such almug wood been brought in, nor has such been seen again to this day.) 2 Chronicles 9:11 The king made the algum wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had anything like them been seen in the land of Judah.) harps, Psalm 71:22 So I will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, O my God; I will sing praise to You with the lyre, O Holy One of Israel. 1 Samuel 16:23 And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play. Then Saul would find relief and feel better, and the spirit of distress would depart from him. stringed instruments, Isaiah 38:20 The LORD will save me; we will play songs on stringed instruments all the days of our lives in the house of the LORD. Psalm 144:9 I will sing to You a new song, O God; on a harp of ten strings I will make music to You— tambourines, Exodus 15:20 Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her with tambourines and dancing. Judges 11:34 And when Jephthah returned home to Mizpah, there was his daughter coming out to meet him with tambourines and dancing! She was his only child; he had no son or daughter besides her. sistrums, 1 Samuel 18:6 As the troops were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out of all the cities of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs, and with tambourines and other instruments. 1 Samuel 10:5 After that you will come to Gibeah of God, where the Philistines have an outpost. As you approach the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the high place, preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres, and they will be prophesying. and cymbals. Psalm 150:5 Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals. 1 Chronicles 16:5 Asaph was the chief, Zechariah was second, then Jeiel, Shemiramoth, Jehiel, Mattithiah, Eliab, Benaiah, Obed-edom, and Jeiel. They were to play the harps and lyres, while Asaph sounded the cymbals Psalm 150:3-5 Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with the harp and lyre. / Praise Him with tambourine and dancing; praise Him with strings and flute. / Praise Him with clashing cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals. 1 Chronicles 15:16 David also told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their relatives as singers to lift up their voices with joy, accompanied by musical instruments—harps, lyres, and cymbals. Treasury of Scripture And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on tambourines, and on cornets, and on cymbals. David 1 Samuel 10:5 After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy: 1 Samuel 16:16 Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. 2 Kings 3:15 But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him. on all manner. 1 Chronicles 13:8 And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets. Jump to Previous Brass Celebrating Corded Cornets Cymbals Cypress-Wood David Fir Fir-Wood Harps House Instruments Israel Kinds Lyres Making Manner Meanwhile Melody Merry Played Playing Power Psalteries Stringed Tambourines Tambours Timbrels WoodJump to Next Brass Celebrating Corded Cornets Cymbals Cypress-Wood David Fir Fir-Wood Harps House Instruments Israel Kinds Lyres Making Manner Meanwhile Melody Merry Played Playing Power Psalteries Stringed Tambourines Tambours Timbrels Wood2 Samuel 6 1. David fetches the ark from Kirjath Jearim on a new cart,6. Uzzah is smitten at Perez Uzzah 9. God blesses Obed-Edom for the ark 12. David brings the ark into Zion with sacrifices, and dances before it; 16. for which Michal despises him 17. He places it in a tabernacle with great joy and feasting 20. Michal, reproving David for his joy, is childless to her death David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the LORD This phrase highlights the communal nature of worship in ancient Israel, emphasizing the unity of the nation under King David's leadership. The celebration was a national event, reflecting the collective joy and reverence for the LORD. The context is the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, a significant religious and political event. The Ark symbolized God's presence, and its return marked a spiritual renewal for Israel. This celebration can be compared to other communal worship events in the Bible, such as the dedication of Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 8) and the Passover celebrations (Exodus 12). with all kinds of wood instruments harps stringed instruments tambourines sistrums and cymbals Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe King of Israel, a man after God's own heart, leading the celebration as the Ark of the Covenant is being transported. 2. The House of Israel Represents the people of Israel who are participating in the celebration, signifying national unity and worship. 3. The Ark of the Covenant A sacred chest symbolizing God's presence and covenant with Israel, being moved to Jerusalem. 4. Musical Instruments Various instruments used in worship, indicating the joy and reverence of the occasion. 5. Celebration Before the LORD A communal act of worship and joy, expressing reverence and gratitude to God. Teaching Points The Joy of WorshipWorship should be a joyful expression of our love and reverence for God, as demonstrated by David and the Israelites. Unity in Worship The entire house of Israel participated, showing the importance of communal worship and unity in the body of Christ. The Role of Music in Worship Music is a powerful tool for expressing worship and can be used to glorify God in diverse ways. Reverence for God's Presence The Ark symbolized God's presence, reminding us to approach worship with reverence and awe. Celebration in God's Presence Worship is not just a duty but a celebration of God's goodness and faithfulness. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Samuel 6:5?2. How does 2 Samuel 6:5 inspire our worship practices today? 3. What instruments were used in 2 Samuel 6:5 to praise the Lord? 4. How can we incorporate joyful worship like David in our daily lives? 5. What does David's worship in 2 Samuel 6:5 teach about honoring God? 6. How does David's worship connect to New Testament teachings on joyful praise? 7. Why did David and the Israelites use instruments in 2 Samuel 6:5? 8. What significance do the instruments in 2 Samuel 6:5 hold in worship? 9. How does 2 Samuel 6:5 reflect the cultural practices of ancient Israel? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Samuel 6? 11. Psalm 149:3 – Is there any indication that the ritual dancing mentioned had supernatural power, or is this a cultural practice without verifiable effects? 12. Does archaeological or historical evidence support the existence of an organized Levitical orchestra as described in 1 Chronicles 15:16–24? 13. What musical instruments are mentioned in the Old Testament? 14. What musical terms are mentioned in the Bible? What Does 2 Samuel 6:5 Mean David and all the house of Israel• The gathering is national, not private. David does not reserve worship for a select few; “all the house of Israel” joins him, echoing 2 Samuel 6:1 and 1 Chronicles 13:2 where the king assembles “the whole assembly of Israel.” • Corporate praise underscores covenant identity (Deuteronomy 7:6; Psalm 149:1). God’s people belong together before Him, and David models leadership that draws everyone in. were celebrating • Worship is marked by joy, not mere duty. The companion text, 1 Chronicles 13:8, says they “were celebrating with all their might,” stressing wholehearted engagement (cf. Psalm 98:4; Luke 15:23–24). • Celebration follows divine blessing: the ark, symbol of God’s presence, is returning to the center of national life (2 Samuel 6:2). When God is rightly honored, joy naturally erupts. before the LORD • Worship has an audience of One. David’s focus is vertical; public praise is nevertheless God-directed (Psalm 68:24–27; Psalm 100:2). • “Before the LORD” reminds us God sees and weighs the heart (1 Samuel 16:7); authentic celebration must match inward devotion. with all kinds of wood instruments • Variety reflects creativity God Himself gifts (Exodus 31:3-5). Diverse timbres enlarge praise rather than distract from it (Psalm 33:2-3). • The mention of wood instruments shows ordinary materials consecrated for sacred use, paralleling Romans 12:1: everyday things can be set apart for worship. harps • Harps often accompany prophetic and priestly ministry (1 Chronicles 15:16; 2 Chronicles 5:12-13). Their soothing tone once calmed Saul (1 Samuel 16:23), illustrating music’s power to usher in God’s peace. stringed instruments • “Make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre” (Psalm 92:3). Stringed instruments invite skillful artistry (Psalm 33:3); excellence in worship honors the excellent God. tambourines • Tambourines first appear in Miriam’s song after the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20-21). They signify victory and deliverance (Judges 11:34), fitting as the ark’s return marks a spiritual triumph. sistrums • Though rarely mentioned outside this verse, sistrums—hand-held rattles—add rhythmic excitement, showing God welcomes new sounds when offered sincerely (Psalm 149:3, “praise Him with timbrel and dancing”). and cymbals • Cymbals provide climactic punctuation (1 Chronicles 16:5; Psalm 150:5). Their bright clash proclaims God’s majesty, suitable when honoring His throne now represented by the ark. summary 2 Samuel 6:5 paints a scene of unified, exuberant, and richly textured worship. David leads the entire nation to rejoice “before the LORD,” employing every available instrument to celebrate God’s presence. The verse teaches that true worship is communal, wholehearted, God-focused, and creatively expressed—all offered in joyful reverence to the One who dwells among His people. (5) Played.--This word means dancing accompanied by music. (See 1Samuel 18:7; 1Samuel 21:11, 1Chronicles 13:8; 1Chronicles 15:29, &c.)On all manner of instruments made of fir wood.--Instead of this strange expression, the parallel passage in 1Chronicles 13:8 has "with all their might and with songs." The difference between the two is very slight in the Hebrew, and it is generally thought that the latter is the correct reading. The variation, however, mast have been ancient, since the LXX. combines the two. . . . Verse 5. - Played. The word does not mean "played on a musical instrument," but "danced and rejoiced." On all manner... of fir wood. The Hebrew literally is, with all cypress woods. In 1 Chronicles 13:8 we find "with all their might, even with songs," etc. Gesenius, in his 'History of the Hebrew Language,' describes this as a mere guess at a misunderstood text, and Maurer ridicules it as a stupid emendation. More sensibly Thenius regards it as the right reading, and the words here as a corruption of it, caused by some scribe misspelling the words, which are nearly identical. In our version the ambiguous meaning of the word "played" makes the passage less startling. For "they danced with all cypress woods" is unintelligible. The musical instruments mentioned here are the harp, Hebrew chinnor, a guitar; the psaltery, Hebrew nebel, a kind of harp of a triangular shape, with the point downwards; the timbrel, Hebrew tof, a tambourine or small drum; the cornet, Hebrew mena'na', a bar on which were a number of loose metal rings, which were shaken in time to the music, but others think that "castanets" are meant, which are pieces of wood beaten in time. The Revised Version adopts this rendering. And finally cymbals. For "cornets" we find in the parallel place "trumpets," whence the translators of the Authorized Version took their rendering; but the Hebrew word means "things to shake."Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Davidוְדָוִ֣ד ׀ (wə·ḏā·wiḏ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse and all וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every the house בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house of Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל (yiś·rā·’êl) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc were celebrating מְשַֽׂחֲקִים֙ (mə·śa·ḥă·qîm) Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural Strong's 7832: To laugh, to play before לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê) Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct Strong's 6440: The face the LORD יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel with all kinds בְּכֹ֖ל (bə·ḵōl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every of wood [instruments], עֲצֵ֣י (‘ă·ṣê) Noun - masculine plural construct Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood harps, וּבְכִנֹּר֤וֹת (ū·ḇə·ḵin·nō·rō·wṯ) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3658: A harp stringed instruments, וּבִנְבָלִים֙ (ū·ḇin·ḇā·lîm) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5035: A skin-bag for, liquids, a vase, a lyre tambourines, וּבְתֻפִּ֔ים (ū·ḇə·ṯup·pîm) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 8596: A timbrel, tambourine sistrums, וּבִמְנַֽעַנְעִ֖ים (ū·ḇim·na·‘an·‘îm) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 4517: Probably (a kind of musical) rattle and cymbals. וּֽבְצֶלְצֶלִֽים׃ (ū·ḇə·ṣel·ṣe·lîm) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 6767: A clatter, whirring, a cricket, a harpoon, a cymbal Links 2 Samuel 6:5 NIV2 Samuel 6:5 NLT 2 Samuel 6:5 ESV 2 Samuel 6:5 NASB 2 Samuel 6:5 KJV 2 Samuel 6:5 BibleApps.com 2 Samuel 6:5 Biblia Paralela 2 Samuel 6:5 Chinese Bible 2 Samuel 6:5 French Bible 2 Samuel 6:5 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Samuel 6:5 David and all the house of Israel (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam) |
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