pipe Summary and Overview

(1 Sam. 10:5; 1 Kings 1:40; Isa. 5:12; 30:29). The Hebrew word halil, so rendered, means "bored through," and is the name given to various kinds of wind instruments, as the fife, flute, Pan-pipes, etc. In Amos 6:5 this word is rendered "instrument of music." This instrument is mentioned also in the New Testament (Matt. 11:17; 1 Cor. 14:7). It is still used in Israel, and is, as in ancient times, made of different materials, as reed, copper, bronze, etc.

(Heb. chalil). The Hebrew word so rendered is derived from a root signifying "to bore, perforate" and is represented with sufficient correctness by the English "pipe" or "flute," as in the margin of #1Ki 1:40| The pipe was the type of perforated wind instruments, as the harp was of stringed instruments. It was made of reed, bronze or copper. It is one of the simplest, and therefore probably one of the oldest, of musical Instruments. It is associated with the tabret as an instrument of a peaceful and social character. The pipe and tabret were used at the banquets of the Hebrews, #Isa 5:12| and accompanied the simpler religious services when the young prophets, returning from the high place, caught their inspiration from the harmony, #1Sa 10:5| or the pilgrims, on their way to the great festivals of their ritual, beguiled the weariness of the march with psalms sung to the simple music of the pipe. #Isa 30:29| The sound of the pipe was apparently a soft wailing note, which made it appropriate to be used in mourning and at funerals #Mt 9:23| and in the lament of the prophet over the destruction of Moab. #Jer 48:36| It was even used in the temple choir, as appears from #Ps 87:7| In later times the funeral and death-bed were never without the professional pipers or flute-players, #Mt 9:23| a custom which still exists. In the social and festive life of the Egyptians the pipe played as prominent a part as among the Hebrews.

PIPE , or FLUTE, similar to the present instrument, was the principal perforated wind instrument among the Hebrews, as the harp was the principal string instrument. It was made of different materials, reed, copper, bronze, etc., and was played on all occasions - the procession, 1 Kgs 1:40, the banquet, Isa 5:12, the wedding, the funeral. Matt 9:23. Thus, in times of joy and in times of sorrow, in the religious festivals and in private life, the pipe, the simplest, and probably the oldest, musical instrument, was heard. See Music and Musical Instruments.

chaliyl, "to bore." Representing wind instruments, as the harp represents "stringed instruments". The pipe single or double, the flute; one of the simplest and oldest of musical instruments, the accompaniment of festivity (1 Kings 1:40; Luke 7:32; Isaiah 5:12), religious services (1 Samuel 10:5), and processions (Isaiah 30:29). Also suited by its plaintive softness to mourning (Matthew 9:23; Jeremiah 48:36). The "shawm" of which the clarionet is an improvement, may be from chaliyl through the French chalumeau, German schalmeie.