Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
(Matt. 9:23), a flute-player. Such music was a usual accompaniment of funerals. In 2 Kings 3:15 it denotes a player on a stringed instrument.
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
The Hebrew word in (2 Kings 3:15) properly signifies a player upon a stringed instruments like the harp or kinnor [Harp], whatever its precise character may have been, on which David played before Saul, (1 Samuel 16:16; 18:10; 19:9) and which the harlots of the great cities used to carry with them as they walked, to attract notice. (Isaiah 23:16) The “minstrels” in (Matthew 9:23) were the flute-players who were employed as professional
mourners, to whom frequent allusion is made. (2 Chronicles 35:25; Ecclesiastes 12:5; Jeremiah 9:17-20)
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
MIN'STREL, a musician or singer. As seen from the case of Jairus, it was customary in the time of our Saviour to employ minstrels at funerals - that is, players on stringed instruments, flute players, and people hired to perform the official lamentation. Thus, when Christ came into the house to raise the daughter, "he saw the minstrels and the people making a noise." Matt 9:23.