Topical Bible: Trumpet: Made of Ram's Horn

◄ Trumpet: Made of Ram's Horn ►

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The trumpet made of a ram's horn, commonly known as the "shofar," holds significant historical and spiritual importance in the biblical narrative. The shofar is one of the earliest musical instruments mentioned in the Bible and is deeply embedded in the religious and cultural practices of ancient Israel.

Biblical References and Usage

The shofar is first mentioned in the context of the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. In Exodus 19:16 , it is written, "On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled." This passage highlights the shofar's role in signaling divine presence and authority.

The shofar was also used in warfare, serving as a call to arms and a signal for battle. In Joshua 6:4-5 , the Israelites are instructed to march around the city of Jericho with priests blowing trumpets made of ram's horns: "Have seven priests carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. And when there is a long blast of the ram’s horn and you hear its sound, have all the people give a mighty shout. Then the wall of the city will collapse, and the people will go up, each man straight ahead."

The shofar also played a crucial role in religious ceremonies and festivals. Leviticus 23:24 commands the Israelites to observe the Feast of Trumpets: "Speak to the Israelites and say, 'On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly announced by trumpet blasts.'" This festival, known as Rosh Hashanah in Jewish tradition, marks the beginning of the civil year and is a time of reflection and repentance.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

The shofar is rich in symbolism, representing both the voice of God and the call to repentance. Its sound is a reminder of the covenant between God and Israel, as well as a call to spiritual awakening and renewal. The shofar's blast is often associated with the prophetic and eschatological themes found in Scripture, such as the Day of the Lord and the final judgment.

In Joel 2:1 , the prophet declares, "Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on My holy mountain! Let all who dwell in the land tremble, for the Day of the LORD is coming; indeed, it is near." This passage underscores the shofar's role in heralding significant divine events and calling the people to prepare for the Lord's coming.

Construction and Craftsmanship

The shofar is traditionally crafted from the horn of a ram, though other kosher animals' horns may also be used. The process involves hollowing out the horn and shaping it to produce a resonant sound. The natural curves and unique characteristics of each horn contribute to the distinct sound of each shofar.

Cultural and Religious Legacy

The shofar continues to be an integral part of Jewish religious practice, particularly during the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Its enduring presence in both Jewish and Christian traditions serves as a testament to its profound spiritual significance and its role as a bridge between the ancient and the modern, the sacred and the communal.

Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 6:4-6,8,13
And seven priests shall bear before the ark seven trumpets of rams' horns: and the seventh day you shall compass the city seven times, and the priests shall blow with the trumpets.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

How the Midianites and Other Nations Fought against the Israelites ...
... They had also each of them a ram's horn in his right hand, which he used
instead of a trumpet. ... Thus there was a great slaughter made. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how the midianites.htm

The Shout of Faith
... they make a long blast with the ram's horn, and when ye ... the people heard the sound
of the trumpet, and the ... them; so that, when they shouted, He made the walls ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 14 the shout of.htm

The Siege of Jericho
... blowing, probably, discordant music upon their ram's horn trumpets; then ... on, for
in due season the trumpet will sound ... number of days, of circuits made, and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the siege of jericho.htm

What 'the Gospel' Is
... Let no false liberality lead us to lose sight of the exclusive claims which are
made in this phrase for ... Sounded on a ram's horn or a silver trumpet, it may ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/what the gospel is.htm

Another Royal Procession
... proclaimed in the streets, when the great trumpet is sounded ... at all, but gloried
in being made a burnt ... will din their ears with the gospel ram's horn till they ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/another royal procession.htm

Revelation of John.
... forth mine angels, and they shall take the ram's horns that ... 2569] and from the voice
of that trumpet all the ... the earth, and the earth shall be made white like ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/revelation of john/revelation of john.htm

The Gods of Egypt
... Most Egyptologists, and finally Brugsch, made him into a secondary form of Amon,
which is ... Khnumu, Osiris, Harshafitu, were incarnate in the form of a ram or of ...
/.../chapter ii the gods of egypt.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... Thou hast made our earth 'to reel to and fro like a drunkard'; it is in ... out against
this deadly plague, yea, to lift up their voice as with a trumpet against it ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm