Here again the writer shows his fascination with lists by giving six different words for musical instruments. This list is repeated exactly in verse 7 (according to some ancient manuscripts) and again in verses 10 and 15. Once the list has been established here, it may be repeated in the same way in these other verses. But if the fourfold repetition is unnatural, a more summary statement may be used in the later verses. In many languages where such instruments are not well known, this poses serious translation problems. If it proves impossible to have the same number of instruments as in the biblical text, the number may be reduced (in some manuscripts there are only five names here); however, given the importance of lists in Daniel, it is not recommended that they be replaced by a simple summary statement as, for example, “when the band strikes up…” (Living Bible).
Translators who have access to recent issues of The Bible Translator may find considerable help in understanding the various types of musical instruments in the Bible by consulting the articles written by Ivor H. Jones (January 1986, pages 101-116 and January 1987, pages 129-143).
Horn: this is the same word as is used for the horn of an animal (as in 7.7, for example). The animal horn was actually made into a kind of trumpet-type musical instrument that was held to the mouth and blown to create a sound. While this instrument was originally made from the horn of an animal, it later came to be made of wood or metal as well.
Pipe: this was also an instrument held to the mouth and blown to produce pleasant sounds. It is usually translated “flute” (King James Version, New International Version, New American Bible, New American Standard Bible), but Good News Translation renders it “oboes.” Others refer to it as a “clarinet.”
Lyre: this stringed instrument was considered the noblest instrument of all and was used in secular merrymaking. It could have as few as three strings or as many as twelve. The term used is probably a borrowing from Greek and is probably related to our modern word “guitar.” It could be played with the fingers or with a thin piece of ivory or metal.
Trigon: based on the form of the name, scholars have suggested that this was a triangular musical instrument, probably with four strings. Perhaps the closest approximation in many cultures may be the “hand piano” or “thumb piano,” although this is not technically a stringed instrument.
Harp: this was also a stringed instrument with a large resonator. It probably had ten strings.
Bagpipe: many scholars are convinced that this is not actually the name of a particular instrument, but rather that it referred to the playing together of all the individual instruments mentioned before (so Good News Translation, “and then all the other instruments will join in”). The term probably derived from the Greek meaning “accompanying sound.” New English Bible follows this interpretation, using the general term “music” here. However, one commentator suggests that this may be the name of a sort of drum (Anchor Bible); New Revised Standard Version translates the term in this way.
And every kind of music: this is probably a summary statement corresponding to “and all the officials” in the list of officials in verse 2 above. It should be translated in such a way as to sum up the list that it follows. It should be noted, however, that New English Bible translates “singing of every kind,” since it takes the word usually translated “bagpipe” in a more general sense.
Fall down: the Aramaic verb used here has a great many applications and is found in a wide variety of contexts. But in this context it clearly involves a voluntary act of bowing low or lying face down in order to show reverence and respect. This idea should be made clear in the translation.
Quoted with permission from Péter-Contesse, René & Ellington, John. A Handbook on Daniel. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .