Cithern
What Was the Cithern?
The cithern (from Greek kithara) was a stringed instrument of the lyre family, likely similar to what we might call a harp or lute. In the biblical context, it appears in the Greek translation of 1 Maccabees 4:54, where the original 1915 King James Version translates "with citherns and harps" (Greek: kitharais kai kinurais). Modern translations, like the Revised Version, often render this as "harps and lutes" or similar terms, reflecting scholarly uncertainty about the precise instrument. The cithern was characterized by a wooden soundbox with strings stretched across it, played by plucking with fingers or a plectrum. Its sound was likely bright and resonant, suitable for both accompaniment and melodic lines in ancient music.
The Cithern in Scripture
The primary biblical reference to the cithern is found in the Apocryphal book of 1 Maccabees, which describes the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. After Judas Maccabeus and his followers cleansed and restored the Temple, they celebrated the feast of dedication: "And they offered sacrifice according to the law upon the new altar of burnt offerings which they had made... and they adorned the forefront of the temple with crowns of gold... and celebrated the dedication of the altar eight days... with citherns and harps and cymbals" (1 Maccabees 4:53-54, paraphrased). While not in the Protestant canon, this text is considered deuterocanonical by Catholic and Orthodox traditions and provides valuable historical context for Second Temple period worship practices.
Historical and Cultural Context
Musical instruments played a significant role in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel. The cithern's Greek name (kithara) suggests it was part of the Hellenistic musical tradition that influenced Jewish culture during the intertestamental period. Archaeologists have found depictions of similar lyre-type instruments throughout the Mediterranean world, from Egyptian tombs to Greek pottery. These instruments typically had 5 to 12 strings and were constructed from wood, sometimes with ivory or metal decorations. In Jewish worship, instruments like the cithern accompanied psalms and celebrations, continuing the musical tradition established in the First Temple period where instruments like the kinnor (lyre) and nevel (harp) were prominent (Psalm 150:3-5).
Theological Significance of Temple Music
The mention of the cithern in the Temple rededication ceremony carries theological weight. Music was not mere entertainment but an integral part of worship and national identity. The restoration of Temple music symbolized the restoration of proper worship to Yahweh after a period of forced Hellenization and idolatry. Instruments like the cithern gave voice to communal joy, thanksgiving, and dedication to God. This reflects the broader biblical theme where music expresses both corporate and individual devotion, from David playing for Saul (1 Samuel 16:23) to the Levitical musicians in Temple service (1 Chronicles 25:1-7). The cithern's use in this rededication points to music as God's gift for celebrating his faithfulness and sovereignty.
Translation Challenges and Interpretations
The original Greek text of 1 Maccabees 4:54 presents translation challenges. The pairing of kitharais kai kinurais is unusual, as these terms were often used interchangeably or with other pairings in Greek literature. Some scholars suggest kithara might have been a gloss explaining the older term kinura, while others propose they represent distinct but related instruments. Since 1 Maccabees was originally written in Hebrew, these Greek terms likely correspond to Hebrew instruments like the kinnor (lyre) and nevel (harp), familiar from the Psalms. This linguistic complexity reminds us that our understanding of ancient instruments is sometimes approximate, but the essential truth remains: God's people used their musical gifts and technology to worship him in their historical context.
Biblical Context
The cithern appears explicitly only in 1 Maccabees 4:54 in the Apocrypha, describing the musical instruments used during the rededication of the Temple after the Maccabean Revolt (c. 164 BCE). While not mentioned in the Protestant Old Testament canon, similar lyre-family instruments (like the kinnor and nevel) appear throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, particularly in the Psalms (Psalm 33:2; 57:8; 150:3) and in narratives about David (1 Samuel 16:23) and Temple worship (1 Chronicles 25:1-7). The instrument served in both sacred worship and secular celebration contexts.
Theological Significance
The cithern represents the biblical theme of music as God-given means for worship, celebration, and remembrance. Its use in Temple rededication shows how restored worship involves both ritual correctness and joyful expression. Instrumental music, alongside vocals, gives tangible form to praise and thanksgiving, engaging the whole person in devotion. The instrument's mention during a key moment of national and religious restoration highlights how cultural artifacts—even musical instruments—can serve God's purposes when dedicated to him.
Historical Background
The cithern (Greek kithara) was a stringed instrument common in the Hellenistic world. Archaeological evidence shows lyre-type instruments existed across the ancient Near East and Mediterranean for millennia. During the Second Temple period (516 BCE–70 CE), Jewish worship incorporated both traditional Israelite instruments and those influenced by surrounding cultures. The Maccabean period particularly saw tension between Hellenistic influences and Jewish tradition, making the use of instruments in Temple rededication both a cultural and religious statement. Extra-biblical sources like Josephus and the Dead Sea Scrolls confirm the importance of music in Jewish worship during this era.