Lexical Summary taqoa: trumpet Original Word: תָּקוֹעַ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance trumpet From taqa' (in the musical sense); a trumpet -- trumpet. see HEBREW taqa' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom taqa Definition a blast or wind instrument NASB Translation trumpet (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs תָּקוֺעַ noun [masculine] a blast-(wind-) instrument (si vera lectio); — absolute ׳תָּקַע בַּתּ Ezekiel 7:14 (but strike out ב, and treat תָּקוֺעַ as infinitive, so Co and modern). Topical Lexicon Root Imagery and Symbolism of the Trumpet BlastThe verb תָּקוֹעַ (taqoaʿ) conveys the idea of giving a sharp, forceful blast on a horn or trumpet. In the life of ancient Israel the trumpet was more than a musical instrument; it signaled assembly (Numbers 10:1-3), announced divine intervention (Joshua 6:4-5), rallied troops (Judges 3:27), proclaimed festal joy (Psalm 98:6), and warned of coming judgment (Joel 2:1). Every nuance centers on urgent communication from God through His appointed messengers. Usage in Ezekiel 7:14 Ezekiel 7 records an uncompromising oracle of judgment against Jerusalem. Verse 14 declares, “They have blown the trumpet and prepared everything, but no one goes to battle, for My wrath is upon the whole crowd”. Here תָּקוֹעַ describes a trumpet already sounded, yet the call to arms falls hollow. The military readiness of Judah proves futile because the true combatant is the Lord Himself (Ezekiel 7:3-4). Human strategies collapse when divine judgment is in view. The Watchman Motif in Ezekiel Ezekiel repeatedly functions as a “watchman for the house of Israel” (Ezekiel 3:17; 33:1-7). The watchman sounds the horn to warn of danger; if the hearers ignore the alarm their blood is on their own heads (Ezekiel 33:4-5). Teqoʿa in 7:14 forms a grim contrast: the trumpet blasts, yet the people remain unmoved. The motif underscores personal accountability—heed the warning and live, or disregard it and perish. Historical Setting The prophecy dates to the final years before Jerusalem’s collapse (approximately 592-586 BC). Judah’s leaders still believed alliances and defensive measures could preserve them. Blasting the trumpet represented rallying reserves to repel Babylonian assault. Ezekiel exposes the hollowness of such confidence. Their trumpet call is rendered powerless because covenant breaking has already determined the outcome (Leviticus 26:14-17). Theological Themes 1. Inevitability of Divine Judgment Even decisive human action cannot overturn God’s decreed wrath once full measure is reached (Ezekiel 7:8-9). 2. Emptiness of Ritual without Obedience Religious nationalism—including the supposed security of Zion—cannot substitute for covenant faithfulness (Jeremiah 7:4). 3. Responsibility of Spiritual Leaders The trumpet imagery points to prophets, pastors, and elders who must warn faithfully (Isaiah 58:1; Acts 20:26-27). Canonical Resonance Old Testament: Trumpet imagery develops from Sinai revelation (Exodus 19:16-19) through the Day of the Lord pronouncements (Zephaniah 1:14-16). New Testament: The last trumpet heralds resurrection and final judgment (1 Corinthians 15:52; Revelation 11:15). Ezekiel’s lonely blast foreshadows those ultimate eschatological signals. Ministry Significance Today • Preaching and Teaching Faithful exposition must carry an unmistakable sound (1 Corinthians 14:8) that calls hearers to repentance and readiness. • Worship and Liturgy Trumpet praise (Psalm 150:3) celebrates victory already secured in Christ, yet also reminds congregations of His imminent return. • Pastoral Oversight Elders serve as watchmen, discerning dangers that threaten doctrinal purity and congregational holiness (Hebrews 13:17). They “blow the trumpet” by corrective discipline and gospel invitation. Practical Applications 1. Cultivate spiritual alertness; indifference to divine warnings invites ruin. Teqoʿa’s single appearance in Ezekiel 7:14 encapsulates an enduring lesson: God’s warnings are merciful, yet they must be heeded in time. Forms and Transliterations בַתָּק֙וֹעַ֙ בתקוע ḇat·tā·qō·w·a‘ ḇattāqōwa‘ vattaKoaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Ezekiel 7:14 HEB: תָּקְע֤וּ בַתָּק֙וֹעַ֙ וְהָכִ֣ין הַכֹּ֔ל NAS: They have blown the trumpet and made KJV: They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; INT: have blown the trumpet and made everything 1 Occurrence |
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