Lute lut (nebhel; thus the Revised Version (British and American); the King James Version viol (Isaiah 5:12)): Nebhel is rendered elsewhere by psaltery" or "viol." The lute was originally an Arabic instrument. It resembled a guitar, though with a longer and more slender neck. The name is derived from Arabic al'ood, with a of article elided; hence, Italian liuto; French luth.
See MUSIC.