Ancient musical instruments, formed of metallic plates which were struck together; they produced no melodious sound in themselves (Compare 1 Cor. 13:1) and could only be used with other instruments (1 Chron. 15:16,19,28; Ezra 3:10; Psa. 150:5, and so forth). In Corinthians it is a similitude of one making a show in speaking without love in the heart.