[Greek] συμφωνία (symphōnia): music, composition, unified sound, harmonious sound, harmony, agreement; Lk.15:25
A shepherd riding a ran and playing an aulos, a flute-like musical instrument. This instrument was used in part to create a concordant musical sound.
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means harmony, agreement, and musical instrument(s). Illustrations of harmony are found in agreements, economic contracts, musical instruments, philosophy, and the view of the cosmos. The Pythagorean Doctrine of the Spheres defines the idea that the sun, moon, and planets all emit their own hum on their orbital revolution. Harmony of thought and life are found in feelings, desires, mind, and soul. In the first century, this term constantly appears as a concord of sounds or a company of musicians.
Plato’s Symposium 187b states “Harmony was by musical art created. Harmony is consonance, and consonance is a kind of agreement; and agreement of things varying so long as they are at variance, is impossible.” Plato’s Laws 689d states “For without harmony, my friends, how could even the smallest fraction of wisdom exist? It is impossible. But the greatest and best of harmonies would most properly be accounted the greatest wisdom.” Plato’s Timaeus 47d states “And harmony was given by the Muses to him makes intelligent uses of the Muses, to assist the soul in restoring it to order and concord with itself.”
Old Testament: This term means harmony and agreement. 4 Macc. makes reference to the agreement (concord) of seven brothers. Daniel makes reference to the sound of musical instruments. Sumponyah, an Aramaic loan-word from the original Greek, is a primitive animal skin bagpipe. The Hellenistic philosopher Philo makes reference to the harmony of musical instruments, human life, and a well-tempered soul. The Hellenistic philosopher Josephus makes reference to the fitting concept of God in agreement with the Law. In later Judaism the will of God revealed in the Law was a norm of true life and conduct. O sacred and harmonious concord of the seven brothers on behalf of religion (4Macc.14:3). Be ready know to fall down and worship the statue I had made, whenever you hear the sound of the trumpet, flute, lyre, harp, psaltery, bagpipe, and all the other musical instruments; otherwise, you shall be instantly cast into the white hot furnace; and who is the God that can deliver you out of my hand? (Dan.3:15).
New Testament: This term means music in the story of the Parable of the Prodigal Son. The father, in his great joy, celebrated the return of his wayward son. A celebration occurred with music and dancing. This music may have been performed with wind instruments, which were used to signify important events (occasions). St. Jerome, who knew the languages and customs of the East, states that symphonia is a consonatina (concordant harmony), not a musical instrument.
Scripture:
“Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing.” Lk.15:25
The father, upon his son’s return, celebrated with music and dancing. This music produced a concordant harmony.
Early Church: This term is used by Bishop Ignatius to convey harmony in terms of doctrinal unity. Ignatius’ Letter to the Ephesians 4.1 states “Wherefore it is fitting that you should run together in accordance with the will of your bishop. Become a choir, that being harmonious in love, and taking up the song of God in unison, that you with one voice sing to the Father through Jesus Christ.” Ignatius’ Letter to the Ephesians 5.1 states “How much more do I reckon you happy who are so joined to Him as the Church to Jesus Christ, as Jesus Christ is to the Father, that so all things may agree in unity.”
“Wherever the bishop appears, let the people be there; just as wherever Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church” St. Ignatius’ Letter to the Smyrnaeans (110 A.D).
Consonance: This term means agreeing in sound, pleasing combination of sounds, and harmony. A consonant (noun) is group of alphabetic letters making a specific sound. Consonant (adjective) means agreeing, corresponding, and harmonious.
Conclusion:
Symphony, symphonic, consonance, consonant
It was interesting to discover that term means much more than a symphony (group of instruments or musicians). The overall meaning conveys a sense of harmony. It also looks like the Pythagoreans were actually on the right track in their understanding that the universe is governed by a unity and harmony of physical laws, numbers and properties. This fine-tuned universe created by God allows for our existence. The Greeks also believed in the harmony of beauty and reason.
In the Old Testament, it was also interesting to note that Daniel makes mention of a bagpipe. The sumponyah becomes a primitive precursor to the current day bagpipe. The Jewish Hellenistic philosophers also illustrated the importance of harmony and unity in many walks of life.
In the story of the Parable of the Prodigal Son, I think it safe to say that the father did not hire an elaborate symphony. Rather, the father may have hired a few flutists or singers for this festive occasion. It is also interesting to note that St. Jerome had some insight about Lk.15:25.
The Early Church Fathers, like Ignatius, conveyed the importance of the harmony (agreement) of Church doctrine. This notion was very important in order for the Church to grow in the face of persecution and doctrinal challenges. It was also very important for Christians to clearly understand what the Church stands for.
Now in recent years, the Church today is confronted with the issue of whether or not to change (or adapt) church teachings to the secular world’s (values). Some Church leaders are open to this notion. While other Church leaders continue to hold fast to traditional Church teachings. The Synod on the Amazon is a perfect illustration of this. Today, bishops can look to Ignatius as an example in how to state and defend Church teachings in a post Christian (and anti-Christian) world.
Now faithful bishops are accused of being hateful, controlling (one’s body), bigoted and homophobic for simply stating traditional Church teachings. Now we seem to be living in a world in which the Church is viewed as bigoted and hateful! Then taking this notion to its inevitable conclusion, if one is really honest with oneself, then one has to conclude that God’s views are bigoted! (This is anything but harmonious!)
“Stay in the symphony. Stay in God’s word. No matter who hard it is, stay right with it, wherever God is beating.” William Branham