Topical Bible: Horns were Used: As Musical Instruments

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Topical Encyclopedia

In biblical times, horns were commonly used as musical instruments, serving both practical and ceremonial purposes. The use of horns, particularly the shofar, is well-documented throughout the Scriptures, highlighting their significance in Israelite culture and worship.

Types of Horns

The primary horn used as a musical instrument in the Bible is the shofar, made from the horn of a ram or other kosher animals. The shofar is distinct from the silver trumpets mentioned in Numbers 10, which were crafted by skilled artisans for specific religious functions.

Ceremonial Use

Horns played a crucial role in religious ceremonies and festivals. In Leviticus 25:9, the shofar is used to proclaim the Year of Jubilee: "Then you shall sound the horn loudly on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall sound the horn throughout your land." This highlights the horn's role in marking sacred times and events.

Military Use

Horns were also used in military contexts, serving as signals for battle and assembly. In Joshua 6:4-5, the Israelites are instructed to use horns in the conquest of Jericho: "Have seven priests carry seven rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the horns. 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."

Symbolic Use

The sound of the horn often symbolizes the presence and power of God. In Exodus 19:16, the sound of the shofar accompanies the theophany at Mount Sinai: "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, so that all the people in the camp trembled." This event underscores the horn's role in divine revelation and communication.

Prophetic Use

In prophetic literature, the horn is used metaphorically to signify strength and authority. However, as a musical instrument, it often heralds significant eschatological events. Joel 2:1 states, "Blow the horn 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."

Worship Use

Horns were integral to worship practices, as seen in Psalm 150:3: "Praise Him with the sound of the horn; praise Him with harp and lyre." This verse illustrates the horn's role in the musical expression of worship and praise to God.

In summary, horns, particularly the shofar, were versatile instruments in biblical times, used in religious, military, and social contexts. Their sound was a powerful tool for communication, worship, and the demonstration of God's presence and authority.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Joshua 6:4,5
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Chronicles 25:5
All these were the sons of Heman the king's seer in the words of God, to lift up the horn. And God gave to Heman fourteen sons and three daughters.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Daniel
... the ram with the two unequal horns is the ... retained because in it the stories were
familiarly told ... or apocalyptic message the sacred language was naturally used. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/daniel.htm

A Short Essay Toward the Improvement of Psalmody:
... bind their Sacrifice with Cords to the Horns of the ... three standing Parts of Worship
which were at first ... the same sort of Expression is used concerning Prayer ...
/.../a short essay toward the improvement of psalmody/a short essay toward the.htm

The Battle of the Books, 1749-1755.
... Day, attended with haut-boys, trumpets, French horns, violins and ... Brethren, in some
of their hymns, used a number of ... But even here they were not so childish as ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter xiii the battle of.htm

The Mystery
... "And it had two horns like a ... from the circumstance, that anciently the name of the
emperor used to be ... And they were singing as it were a new song before the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery 2.htm

The Eighteenth Theban Dynasty --(Continued)
... stout of heart, armed with horns which none ... yew, cedar, and oak,* musical instruments,**
helmets, leathern ... the majority of the prisoners were used as workmen ...
/.../chapter ithe eighteenth theban dynastycontinued.htm

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... The figures resembling stags' horns, which crown three of the ... a pack of wild boars,"
and finally were driven into the ... to which the Kalda rulers used to consign ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

The Gods of Egypt
... along her back, and Sirius flaming from between her horns.[*]. ... its family to forget
it, but used all the ... as to make the light wherewith souls were clothed, into ...
/.../chapter ii the gods of egypt.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Jahveh, who was accustomed to choose His instruments from amongst ... was, according
to this view, thus used to replace ... And would to God this people were under my ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... dragon, and beast with seven heads and ten horns, to get ... saints in special in all
ages, have been used to promote ... now they take, it shall be as it were in honey ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... Him Who sojourned for thee in the flesh," which (saith he), "if each were
written""and ... of argument, nor do they allow the term "ungeneracy" to be used in the ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm