Greek word · G2788

κιθάρα

kithara

harp

The kithara was a large concert lyre with a wooden sound-box, two arms and a crossbar, and strings (usually seven or more) running parallel to the face. It was held upright and plucked by fingers or a plectrum. Kitharizō means to play it.

Appears 4 times in 4 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

κιθάρα, -ας, ἡ

[in LXX chiefly for כִּנּוֹר, frequently in Psalms 33:2, al.); and in (Daniel 3:5, al.) for קִיתָרֹס, itself a transliteration of κίθαρις, the Homeric form of κ. (cf. CB, Dn., lviii) ;]

a lyre, harp: 1 Corinthians 14:7, Revelation 5:8 14:2 15:2.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Revelation 14:2

Range of meaning

The kithara was a large concert lyre with a wooden sound-box, two arms and a crossbar, and strings (usually seven or more) running parallel to the face. It was held upright and plucked by fingers or a plectrum. Kitharizō means to play it.

Against the English

Every major English version says "harp." A harp's strings run from a sound-box along one side to a neck, and modern readers picture the tall concert harp or the angel's harp of greeting cards. A kithara is a lyre.

How it drifted

Early English Bibles used "harp" broadly for lyres. Later artistic convention gave angels triangular harps and fixed the image.

Used elsewhere in the period

In the Greek Old Testament κιθάρα often translates Hebrew kinnor, the lyre of David and the Levitical temple singers (Psalm 33:2; 98:5; 150:3; 1 Chronicles 25:1–6). In Revelation the 24 elders each hold a kithara (5:8), and the victors hold "lyres of God" (15:2).

From the study of Revelation 15:2

Range of meaning

A stringed instrument of the lyre family with a wooden sound-box and arms, held against the body and plucked, often with a plectrum. It was the instrument of formal song, festivals and hymns.

Against the English

"Harp" (all major English versions) is traditional. To modern readers it calls up a tall, floor-standing concert harp, or the cartoon image of saints on clouds. "Lyre" is more exact.

How it drifted

"Harp" goes back through the Latin cithara and early English Bibles, when the word covered a range of plucked stringed instruments. As the word narrowed to the modern triangular harp, it combined with popular art to produce the "harps in heaven" picture.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Septuagint often uses kithara for the Hebrew kinnor, the lyre David played and the Levites used in temple worship (e.g. 1 Chr 15:16; 25:1; Ps 33:2; 150:3). In Revelation the elders hold kitharai (5:8), and the 144,000's song sounds "like harpists harping on their lyres" (14:2). In 1 Chr 16:42 (Hebrew) the temple instruments are "instruments for the song of God", a close parallel to "lyres of God".

From the study of Revelation 5:8

Range of meaning

A lyre: a portable stringed instrument with a wooden sound-box and two arms joined by a crossbar, plucked by hand or with a pick (plectrum). In the Septuagint it often translates Hebrew kinnôr, David's instrument and the lyre of the Levite singers.

Against the English

Every common English version has 'harp' (KJV plural 'harps'). Modern readers picture a large triangular concert harp, or the cartoon harps of angels on clouds. The instrument meant here is a small lyre held in the arm.

How it drifted

Early English Bibles used 'harp' as a general word for stringed instruments. The modern concert harp and later popular pictures of heaven fixed a different image.

Used elsewhere in the period

The Septuagint Psalms call for praise ἐν κιθάρᾳ, 'with the lyre' (Ps 33[32]:2; 98[97]:5; 150:3). In 1 Chr 25 the temple musicians who 'prophesied with lyres' are organised into 24 rotating divisions. Josephus (Antiquities 7.306) describes the kinnyra (lyre) of David's temple musicians.

Similar words

Where it appears

1 Corinthians · 1

  1. 1 Corinthians 14:7 κιθάρα, harp,

    Even in the case of lifeless instruments, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone recognize the tune they are playing unless the notes are distinct?

Revelation · 3

  1. Revelation 5:8 κιθάραν a harp

    When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

    Here: A hand-held stringed lyre, the instrument of temple song (Hebrew kinnor). It prepares for the 'new song' of 5:9.

  2. Revelation 14:2 κιθάραις harps

    And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of many waters and the loud rumbling of thunder. And the sound I heard was like harpists strumming their harps.

    Here: The kithara: a large wooden box-lyre held upright and plucked. In the Greek Old Testament this word usually stands for David's and the Levites' kinnor, the temple's worship instrument. It is not a harp in the modern sense.

  3. Revelation 15:2 κιθάρας harps

    And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, beside which stood those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name. They were holding harps from God,

    Here: The kithara was a stringed lyre with a wooden sound-box, held in the arms and plucked. It was the standard instrument for formal song and temple praise. It was not a large modern harp.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.