To beat the tabret, a small drum or tambourine. The word is used in Na 2:7 of women beating their breasts in sign of grief.

Only in Na 2:7 'her handmaids mourn as with the voice of doves, tabering (Amer. RV 'beating') upon their breasts.' Beating the breast was a familiar Oriental custom in mourning (cf. Isa 32:12). The word here used means lit. 'drumming' (cf. Ps 68:26, its only other occurrence). The English word 'taber' means a small drum, usually accompanying a pipe, both instruments being played by the same performer. Other forms are 'tabor,' 'tabour,' and 'tambour'; and dim. forms are 'tabret' and 'tambourine.'