Strong's Greek: 2789. κιθαρίζω (kitharizó) -- To play the harp, to make music

Strong's Lexicon

kitharizó: To play the harp, to make music

Original Word: κιθαρίζω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: kitharizó
Pronunciation: kee-thar-ID-zo
Phonetic Spelling: (kith-ar-id'-zo)
Definition: To play the harp, to make music
Meaning: intrans. and trans: I play on the harp, I harp, with acc. of the tune.

Word Origin: Derived from κιθάρα (kithara), meaning "lyre" or "harp."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The Hebrew equivalent often associated with playing stringed instruments is נָגַן (nagan), Strong's Hebrew 5059, which means "to play a stringed instrument."

Usage: The verb κιθαρίζω (kitharizó) refers to the act of playing a stringed instrument, specifically a harp or lyre. In the context of the New Testament, it is used metaphorically to describe the act of making music or producing harmonious sounds, often in worship or celebration.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Greek culture, the kithara was a prominent musical instrument, similar to the lyre, used in various settings, including religious ceremonies, public performances, and private entertainment. Music played a significant role in both Greek and Jewish traditions, often associated with worship and the expression of joy. The use of musical instruments in worship is well-documented in the Old Testament, where instruments like the harp were used to praise God.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from kithara
Definition
to play on the lyre
NASB Translation
harp (1), playing (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2789: κιθαρίζω

κιθαρίζω; present passive participle κιθαριζόμενος; to play upon the harp ((see the preceding word)): with ἐν ταῖς κιθάραις added (A. V. harping with their harps), Revelation 14:2; τό κιθαριζόμενον, what is harped, 1 Corinthians 14:7. (Isaiah 23:16; in the Greek writings from Homer, Iliad 18, 570 down.)

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

harp.

From kithara; to play on a lyre -- harp.

see GREEK kithara

Forms and Transliterations

κιθαριζομενον κιθαριζόμενον κιθαριζοντων κιθαριζόντων κιθάρισον kitharizomenon kitharizómenon kitharizonton kitharizontōn kitharizónton kitharizóntōn

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