Bible Dictionary

Timbrel

(Heb. toph), a small drum or tambourine; a tabret (q.v.). The antiquity of this musical instrument appears from the scriptural allusions to it (Gen. 31:27; Ex. 15:20; Judg. 11:34, etc.) (See MUSIC.)

Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)

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Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary

TIM'BREL, a musical instrument, supposed to have resembled very nearly the instrument of modern days called the tambourine. Ex 15:20. A skin is stretched over a rim like the end of a drum; around the rim are hung little Timbrel. ) bells, and the player strikes the skin with the knuckles of one hand and shakes it with the other hand. It was used in ancient times chiefly by women.