Bible Dictionary
Organ
The organ was an ancient wind instrument, probably a pipe or group of unequal reeds. It is mentioned among instruments used for music and rejoicing.
Definition
The organ was an ancient wind instrument, probably a pipe or perforated instrument made from several reeds of unequal length. It may have resembled the Pan’s pipe or pandean pipe.
Biblical Usage
The organ is mentioned among instruments used in music, rejoicing, mourning, and praise. In one passage it may function as a general term for wind instruments.
Historical Background
The proposed instrument was a syrinx-like group of seven or eight reeds. It was regarded as an instrument of very ancient origin and was known in the East.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Some kind of wind instrument, probably a kind of Pan’s pipes (Gen. 4:21; Job 21:12; Ps. 150:4), which consisted of seven or eight reeds of unequal length.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(Genesis 4:21; Job 21:12; 30:31; Psalms 150:4) The Hebrew word thus rendered probably denotes a pipe or perforated wind-instrument. In (Genesis 4:21) it appears to be a general term for all wind-instruments. In (Job 21:12) are enumerated three kinds of musical instruments which are possible under the general terms of the timbrel harp and oryan. Some identify it with the pandean pipe or syrinx an instrument of unquestionably ancient origin, and common in the East. [See Music]
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>or'-gan.</p><p>See MUSIC.</p>