Flute
“Flute, from its whistling sound”
Summary
A wind instrument played by blowing through a mouthpiece, used in both joyful celebrations and mournful laments.
☩At Nebuchadnezzar's Image
The flute (Aramaic mashrokitha) was among the instruments played at the dedication of Nebuchadnezzar's golden image in Babylon. When the people heard the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of music, they were commanded to fall down and worship the image. The name derives from its hissing or whistling sound.
☩Funeral Customs
The Gospels mention flute-players (Greek auletes) at funerals. At Jairus's house, Jesus found the professional mourners with their flutes already assembled. The Rabbis said even the poorest must hire no fewer than two flute-players and one wailing woman. This custom was probably borrowed from the Romans.
☩Children Piping
Jesus described His generation as like children sitting in marketplaces calling to their playmates, 'We piped for you and you did not dance; we wailed and you did not mourn.' Neither the joyful music of Jesus' coming nor the mournful message of John's repentance moved them—they rejected both.
References
- 1.James Hastings (ed.), "Flute-Players," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).
- 2.John McClintock and James Strong, "Flute," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. III (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Flute," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).