Bible Dictionary
Timbrel, Tabret
The timbrel or tabret was a hand-held tambourine known in Hebrew as the toph. It was commonly played with the fingers, especially by women accompanying songs and dances.
Definition
The timbrel, or tabret, was the Hebrew toph, a tambourine-like instrument. It consisted of a hoop covered with parchment and was beaten with the fingers.
Biblical Usage
It was played principally by women as an accompaniment to songs and dances.
Historical Background
The instrument resembled the Arab diff, sometimes fitted with pieces of brass that jingled. “Tabret” is an older form related to tambourine.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(Heb. toph). In old English tabor was used for any drum. Tabouret and tambourine are diminutives of tabor, and denote the instrument now known as the tambourine. Tabret is a contraction of tabouret. The Hebrew toph is undoubtedly the instrument described by travellers as the duff or diff of the Arabs. It was played principally by women, (Exodus 15:20; Judges 11:34; 1 Samuel 18:6; Psalms 68:25) as an accompaniment to the song and dance. The diff of the Arabs is described by Russell as “a hoop (sometimes with pieces of brass fixed in it to make a jingling) over which a piece of parchment is stretched. It is beaten with the fingers, and is the true tympanum of the ancients.” In Barbary it is called tar .