In the biblical narrative, the assembly of the armies of Israel by the sound of trumpets is a significant motif that underscores the divine orchestration and order within the nation of Israel. The use of trumpets, particularly the shofar (ram's horn) and silver trumpets, served as a divine signal for various purposes, including the gathering of the people for battle, religious festivals, and other communal events.

Biblical Foundation

The primary scriptural basis for the use of trumpets in assembling the armies of Israel is found in the Book of Numbers. God commanded Moses to make two silver trumpets for the purpose of calling the congregation and directing the movements of the camps:

> "Make two trumpets of hammered silver to be used for calling the congregation and for having the camps set out" (Numbers 10:2).

The sound of the trumpets was a clear and authoritative signal that transcended the chaos of the battlefield and the vastness of the Israelite encampment. The trumpets were blown by the priests, the sons of Aaron, signifying the sacred nature of the call to arms and the divine presence in their military endeavors.

Military and Spiritual Significance

The use of trumpets in assembling the armies was not merely a practical measure but also carried deep spiritual significance. The sound of the trumpet was a reminder of God's covenant with Israel and His promise to be with them in battle. It was a call to unity, obedience, and readiness, as well as a declaration of trust in God's deliverance.

In the conquest of Jericho, the blowing of trumpets played a pivotal role. The priests were instructed to carry trumpets of rams' horns and march around the city for seven days. On the seventh day, the priests blew the trumpets, and the walls of Jericho fell:

> "When the trumpets sounded, the people shouted, and at the sound of the trumpet, when the people gave a loud shout, the wall collapsed; so every man charged straight in, and they took the city" (Joshua 6:20).

This event highlights the power of God working through the obedience of His people and the symbolic use of the trumpet as an instrument of divine intervention.

Historical Context

Throughout Israel's history, the trumpet continued to be an essential tool for communication and coordination in military campaigns. During the reign of King Saul, the trumpet was used to summon the people to war against the Philistines:

> "Then Saul had the trumpet blown throughout the land, saying, 'Let the Hebrews hear!'" (1 Samuel 13:3).

Similarly, during the time of the judges, the trumpet was used by Gideon to rally the Israelites against the Midianites, demonstrating its enduring role in Israel's military strategy and spiritual life.

Symbolism and Prophetic Imagery

The trumpet also holds eschatological significance in biblical prophecy. The sound of the trumpet is associated with the Day of the Lord and the return of Christ. In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul writes:

> "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first" (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

This prophetic imagery connects the historical use of trumpets in Israel with the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, where the trumpet will once again signal a divine gathering, this time of all believers to the presence of the Lord.

In summary, the collection of the armies of Israel by the sound of trumpets is a multifaceted theme that reflects God's sovereignty, the unity and obedience of His people, and the anticipation of future divine intervention. The trumpet serves as a powerful symbol of God's call to action, both in the past and in the prophetic future.Judges 3:27
And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Judges 6:34
But the Spirit of the LORD came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet; and Abiezer was gathered after him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... direction of the Oracle, are Equestrian armies, sent forth ... glorious promise of the
restitution of Israel should be ... may seem capable of being collected from his ...
/.../mede/a key to the apocalypse/of the three woe trumpets.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... till the dark cloud, which was collected along the ... the Mohammedan power was extended
by these armies, which till ... God said to Israel, after the evil report of ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

Book ii.
... one great nations have been delivered; the armies of the ... all the princes and leaders
of Israel shall come ... adversaries who resist you, ye shall sound a signal ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/book ii.htm

Pricked in their Heart
... The preacher himself was self-collected, calm, courteous, and ... received him not."
As a nation, Israel had rejected ... of the stars; he rules the armies of heaven. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 35 1889/pricked in their heart.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... and the temple to the ground; he collected and sent to ... hundred years before Christ,
marched his armies against the ... of the "lost tribes of Israel." We recollect ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... In Joel, moreover, everything is collected around the ... The locusts denote destroying
hostile armies; the fire ... of conquest raged, not only in Israel, but among ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

The Mystery
... This may even be collected from the paraphrases of ... one, during a tumultuous conflict
of armies and people ... and the same selected company of Israel, adopted from ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery 2.htm

The First Chaldaean Empire and the Hyksos in Egypt
... Armies undoubtedly followed the routes already frequented by caravans and flotillas
of trading ... A great part of the Susian inscriptions have been collected by Fr ...
/.../chapter ithe first chaldaean empire.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... buildings of the city to be collected and carried ... Cyaxares converted all the small
feudal armies which had ... task of rewriting the history of Israel, which, as ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... zedeck, King of Jerusalem, the Canaanites collected their forces in ... the many evils
they had inflicted on Israel. ... of his own contingent.* Their armies were made ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Who was Joab in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Does Bible prophecy predict that there will be a World War 3 (III, three) before the end times? | GotQuestions.org

What was the Babylonian captivity/exile? | GotQuestions.org

Armies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus