Description
Cymbals were a percussion instrument consisting of two metal discs that were struck together in order to make a shrill, clashing sound. There were two types of cymbals: (1) flat metal plates that were struck together, and (2) metal cones, one of which was brought down on top of the other, on the open end.
Translation
The equivalent of “cymbal” in many languages is a phrase such as “loud metal.”
In PSA 150:5 two kinds of cymbals are mentioned, literally “cymbals of hearing” and “cymbals of shouting.” This may mean “small cymbals … large cymbals, or it may be just a poetic variation with the meaning “clanging cymbals … clashing cymbals.”
In 1CO 13:1GNT renders the Greek word kumbalon as “bell” instead of “cymbal” since it is more widely understood.