Four interesting facts about the kinnor.

  1. The kinnor was invented by Jubal (Genesis 4:21) and is the first musical instrument mentioned in the Bible.
  2. It was the instrument that David played for Saul.
  3. Chinnereth/Kinneret—an ancient city—might have it’s name because it looked like a kinnor.
  4. The kithara, which I’ve posted about before, is probably a derivate word and instrument as well. The Greek translation of the Old Testament translates kinnor as kithara in twenty out of forty places. (Sachs, The History of Musical Instruments, 106)