What is a
Tabret

Hebrew: a smiting; The root word for tabret is tabor which is a one-sided drum. The root word for timbrel is toph.

a timbrel or tambourine, generally played by women (Genesis 31:27; 1 Samuel 10:5; 18:6)

“An ancient instrument that has been changed in most translations to read ‘timbrel’ or ‘tambourine,’ except in the King James and the Hebrew Greek. There are nine Scriptures concerning the tabret and nine separate Scriptures containing the word timbrel or tambourine instruments” (Jeanette Strauss).

“…tabret, bethoph, the tympanum used in the east to the present day, and there called diff, a thin broad wooden hoop, with parchment extended over one end of it, to which are attached small pieces of brass, tin, etc., which make a jingling noise; it is held in the air with one hand, and beat on with the fingers of the other. It appears to have been precisely the same with that which is called the tambourine…” (Clarke).

The first biblical mention of a tabret is in Genesis 31:27 where songs are being played with a tabret and harp. Later, 1 Samuel 10:5 describes a company of prophets playing the tabret along with a psaltery, pipe, and harp.

In Job 17:6, Job says, “…formerly I was as a tabret.” What does this mean?

“In Job 17:6 the word (Hebrew: topheth) “tabret” should be, as in the Revised King James Version, “an open abhorring” (marginal note: “one in whose face they spit;” literally: “a spitting in the face”). —Matthew G. Easton