Percussion instruments are those that make their sound when struck or shaken; biblical percussion instruments include cymbals, the sistrum, bells, the gong, and the tambourine.
Cymbals
The usual Hebrew word for cymbals is mtziltayim (1 Chron. 15:16; 16:42; 25:1; 2 Chron. 5:13), a dual form indicating a pair of instruments struck together. Another form is tziltzlim, which may be onomatopoeic, that is, an attempt to represent the clashing sound made by the instrument in its name. This word is used in Psalm 150:5, which refers to two types of cymbals, literally “cymbals of sound” and “cymbals of shout”; these expressions are usually translated as “loud cymbals” and “high sounding cymbals,” although their exact meanings are uncertain. According to 1 Chronicles 15:19, the cymbals of the sanctuary were made of bronze; there they joined the wind and stringed instruments in concerted praise to the Lord. Paul mentions the cymbal, kumbalon, in a metaphor, comparing to it the exercise of vocal gifts where love is lacking (1 Cor. 13:1).
The Sistrum
This instrument, not well known in Western culture, was widely used in antiquity, being common, for example, in Egypt. It consisted of a small frame with metallic pieces loosely attached, which made a rattling sound when shaken. The term mna‘an‘im in 2 Samuel 6:5 seems to indicate such an instrument or perhaps another type of shaken instrument, such as beads in a gourd. The translation “castanets” (NASB) is questionable.
The Tambourine
Although large drums were used in ancient times, especially by the military, in Scripture the drum family is represented only by the timbrel or tambourine (Hebrew tof). Again, the name may be onomatopoeic; the instrument consisted of membranes of animal skins stretched over a cylindrical frame, which made a “tof” sound when beaten by hand. The modern tambourine has discs that produce the jingling sound we now associate with the instrument; the biblical timbrel may have had these discs also, but unlike the tambourine of today it always had the membrane. It was a small hand-held drum usually played by women and was used in dance (Exod. 15:20; 1 Sam. 18:6; cf. Ps. 68:25); however, Isaiah mentions it in the context of warfare (Isa. 30:32), and it also accompanied prophetic activity (1 Sam. 10:5). The timbrel was not used within the sanctuary, since women could not perform Levitical functions; its use may also have been forbidden there due to its connection with fertility rites. The instrument designated as sumponyah in Daniel 3:5 maybe a drum of some type, if the word is related to the Greek tumpanon; in any case, the translation “bagpipes” (nasb, RSV) is incorrect.
Bells
Bells are not mentioned in the Bible as musical instruments. However, bells were attached to the hem of the high priest’s robe (Exod. 28:33–34). They probably did not have clappers but made their sound by striking one another or the simulated pomegranates with which they were interspersed. The Bible does not explain the purpose of these bells; some have suggested a magical function of warding off evil spirits, attested in other cultures, but their biblical usage may have been purely decorative.
The Gong
Paul refers metaphorically to the gong, or “brass” (chalkos, 1 Cor. 13:1). Gongs were used in pagan temples of the ancient world, as in oriental temples today, but were not used in the worship of Israel.