(Heb. toph), a small drum or tambourine; a tabret (q.v.). The antiquity of this musical instrument appears from the scriptural allusions to it (Gen. 31:27; Ex. 15:20; Judg. 11:34, etc.) (See MUSIC.)
Timbrel
When David brought the ark toward Jerusalem, the whole crowd joined in: “David and all Israel played before God with all their might.” Among the harps and cymbals were timbrels, the hand-held drums the King James Version uses where many newer Bibles say tambourines. The Psalms keep them close to worship. One calls, “Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel,” and another invites praise with the dance, the timbrel and the harp. These verses suggest a faith that was sung, played and moved to, not only spoken quietly. Psalm 149 is a lively place to listen in.
5 verses
2 Samuel
2 Samuel 6:5
And David and all the house of Israel played before the LORD on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals.
1 Chronicles
1 Chronicles 13:8
And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
Psalms
Psalms 68:25
The singers went before, the players on instruments followed after; among them were the damsels playing with timbrels.
Psalms 81:2
Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.
Psalms 149:3
Let them praise his name in the dance: let them sing praises unto him with the timbrel and harp.
From Easton's Bible Dictionary
Matthew George Easton, 1897