κῐθᾰρῳδ-ός G2790
harpists, those who play and sing to the harp
This noun (from κιθάρα + ᾠδός 'singer') refers to musicians who both play the harp and sing—professional performers who accompanied their singing with stringed instruments. Both NT occurrences are in Revelation, describing sounds heard in visions. In 14:2, John hears a voice from heaven like the voice of harpists playing their harps. In 18:22, the sound of harpists is among those that will be heard no more in fallen Babylon, symbolizing the end of her luxury, entertainment, and cultural life. The term evokes professional musicianship and festive celebration.
Senses
1. sense 1 — Revelation 14:2 describes 'the voice of harpists (κιθαρῳδῶν) playing their harps' as part of the heavenly vision. Revelation 18:22 lists 'harpists (κιθαρῳδῶν)' among the sounds that will cease in Babylon's destruction—along with musicians, flutists, and trumpeters. The multilingual glosses are consistent: English 'harpists,' Spanish 'citaristas,' French and German 'Harfenspieler' (harp-players). The genitive plural form appears in both contexts, emphasizing the class or group of musicians. 2×
AR["ضارِبي القيثارَةِ", "عازِفينَ"]·ben["বীণাবাদকদের"]·DE["Harfenspieler"]·EN["harpists", "of-harpists"]·FR["Harfenspieler"]·heb["נַגְּנִים"]·HI["वीणा-वादकों-की", "वीणावादकों"]·ID["pemain-pemain-kecapi"]·IT["kitharōdōn"]·jav["juru-clempung", "tiyang-tiyang-ingkang-clempung"]·KO["거문고-타는-자들-의", "거문고-타는-자들의"]·PT["de-citaristas"]·RU["гусляров"]·ES["de-citaristas"]·SW["wapiga-vinubi", "ya-wapiga-vinubi,"]·TR["lir-çalanların"]·urd["بربط-نوازوں-کی"]
Related Senses
H2719 1. sword, weapon of war (410×)H4196 1. altar (place of sacrifice) (403×)H7393 1. chariot, chariotry (117×)H7198 1. bow (weapon) (72×)H7979 1. table (71×)H7782 1. ram's horn trumpet (69×)H4294 2. staff, rod, scepter (63×)H4043 1. shield, defensive weapon (60×)H0646 1. ephod (priestly garment) (49×)H8504 1. blue (violet-blue yarn/fabric) (49×)H2595 1. spear, lance (48×)H2671 1. arrow, projectile weapon (46×)H4818 1. chariot, war-chariot (44×)H3658 1. lyre, harp (stringed instrument) (42×)H1537 1. Gilgal (place name) (41×)H0713 1. purple (fabric/dye) (38×)H0905 3. poles, staves (37×)H7392 1. Qal participle: rider, charioteer (37×)H4501 1. cultic lampstand (menorah) (36×)H0212 1. wheel (35×)
BDB / Lexicon Reference
κῐθᾰρῳδ-ός, ὁ, (κιθάρα, ἀοιδός) one who plays and sings to the cithara, Refs 5th c.BC+ __II a fish, found in the Red Sea, with body striped like the strings of a lyre, Refs 2nd c.AD+