na.gan denotes making music, especially the skilled playing of lyre or stringed instruments in varied settings.

The attested use concerns musical performance: a person is sought for skill in playing, David performs with a lyre, and playing is called for alongside songs and stringed instruments. The same activity appears in courtly distress, prophetic reception, public song, and an address to a city.

1. Making music on instruments · dominant

   The supplied Piel forms occur where a skilled player is sought in 1 Samuel 16:17, where David's performance with a lyre brings relief in 1 Samuel 16:23, and where a musician is brought and performs in 2 Kings 3:15. Infinitive forms also accompany the calls to play skillfully in Isaiah 23:16 and Psalm 33:3; in Ezekiel 33:32 the APB renders the surrounding comparison with a lovely song and pleasing music.

   1 Samuel 16:171 Samuel 16:232 Kings 3:15Isaiah 23:16Psalm 33:3Ezekiel 33:32

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously presents the surrounding clauses with “play the lyre,” “play with his hand,” “playing music,” and a “musician” who “played.” These are verse-level presentations rather than fixed translations of each form.