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.
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. " Matt 9:23.