The Mitzelet (Dual Cymbals)

BIBLICAL INSTRUMENT SERIES

(Photo - Mitzelet depiction)

 from Tzalal - Rattle or tinkle

What is a Miztelet?

The Mitzelet was used in temple worship during the time of King David and thereafter. The tiny cymbals mounted in on two levels, clang together. There were made of brass, (or bronze 1st Chronicles 15:19). The frame, made of wood, is similar looking in some ways to the Davidic Harp.

These instruments were present at the opening of the first temple:

2CH 5:12 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of

Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in

white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end

of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with

trumpets:)

2CH 5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to

make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they

lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of

musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth

for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the

LORD;

2CH 5:14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the

cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

 

Where is the Miztelet mentioned in the bible?

2nd Samuel 6:5

1st Chronicles 13:8, 15:16, 15:19, 15:28, 16:5, 16:42, 25:1, 25:6

2nd Chronicles 5:12, 5:13, 29:25

Ezra 3:10

Nehemiah 12:27

Psalm 150:5

There were other types of Cymbals used in David worship:

There were the "High Sounding Cymbals" or Tzilaltzal (tsil-aw-tsal) which made a great clattering sound.

And there was the other cymbals, the Mitzalah which are similar to the Mitzelet except they are smaller with a single row of cymbals. An African Sistrum today is very similar to the Mitzalah, except it is Y-shaped and can be held higher in the air.

Pages of other cymbals will show up as I find more information.

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Written by: Daniel Bingamon 10/10/1999

KADIMA@BINGAMON.COM