EXHIBIT OF BIBLICAL ANTIQUITIES. 979 



most frequently mentioned in the Bible. It is likely tliat the psaltery 

 resembled what is now known in the East as the tamboora or guitar, 

 an instrument which also figures largely on the Egyptian and Assyrian 

 monuments. In its present shape the psaltery is thus described : " In 

 its most complete and perfect form this instrument is 3 feet 9 inches 

 long, has ten strings of fine wire and forty-seven stops. It is played 

 with a i)lectrum, and is often inlaid with mother of- pearl and valuable 

 woods. It is oftener, however, of smaller size and less costly mate- 

 rials." ' Others assume that the nebel resembled tlie harp-shaped instru- 

 ments seen on Assyrian monuments. In Psalms xxxiii, 2, ncbel asor, the 

 " nehel of ten," probably ten strings, is mentioned. This would curiously 

 agree in detail with the instrument described above. EngeP assumes 

 that there is an independent instrument called the asor, which is sup- 

 ported by Psalms xcii, 3, " with an instrument of ten strings, and with 

 the psaltery." ' 



PRECIOUS STONES OF THE BIBLE. 



The use of precious stones for ornament, as well as with engrav- 

 ing for signets and the like, was well known to all of the Mediterranean 

 peoples, and quite a goodly number of them are mentioned in the Bible. 



The engraving of signets uj)on hard stones was practiced at an early 

 period. The Israelites may have acquired tlie art from the Egyptians, 

 who are known to have made use of the lapidary's wheel and emery 

 powder, and are supposed to have been acquainted with the diamond 

 and the method of engraving other stones by means of it. The 

 Assyrians and Babylonians were very skillful in engraving on gems, 

 many of which have been found in the ruins of their palaces and cities. 



The sources for the names of gems in the Bible are three almost 

 identical lists: 



I. The description of the High Priest's "breastplate of judgment" 

 {hoshen ha-mishpat), in which were placed, in gold setting, four rows of 

 precious stones, three in each row, engraved with the names of the 

 twelve tribes of Israel.* 



II. The description of the ornaments of the King of Tyre.^ 



III. The description of the foundation of the Heavenly Oity.*^ 



In many instances the exact equivalent of the biblical names of 

 precious stones is uncertain in the nomenclature of modern mineralogy. 

 In the following tables are given, alongside of the original and the 

 Septuagint, the meaning adopted by most authorities, the rendering 



' Van Lenaep, Bible Lands, p. 612. 



2 Musical Instruments, p. 19. 



'Compare on the subject of music of the ancient Hebrews the excellent appendix 

 to the Psalms in Prof. Paul Haupt's Polychrome Edition of the Bible, pp. 217-2.31. 

 236, 237. 



^ Exodus xxviii, 17-20. 



^Ezekiel xxviii, 13. 



•5 Revelations xxi, I'J, 20. 



