Trumpet: Made of Rams' Horns
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Topical Encyclopedia
The trumpet made of rams' horns, commonly referred to as the "shofar," holds significant historical and spiritual importance in the biblical narrative. This ancient instrument is prominently featured in various passages of the Old Testament, serving both practical and symbolic purposes.

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 third day, when morning came, 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." Here, the sound of the shofar signifies the divine presence and the awe-inspiring power of God as He communicates with His people.

One of the most notable uses of the shofar is found in the account of the Battle of Jericho. In Joshua 6:4-5 , the Lord instructs Joshua, "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 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 here is a tool of divine intervention, heralding the miraculous victory granted by God.

The shofar is also associated with the Year of Jubilee, a time of liberation and restoration. Leviticus 25:9 states, "Then you are to sound the horn far and wide on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement you shall sound it throughout your land." The blast of the shofar marks the beginning of this sacred year, emphasizing themes of freedom and redemption.

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

The shofar's sound is often interpreted as a call to repentance and spiritual awakening. It serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the need for His people to remain faithful and obedient. The prophet Joel captures this sentiment in Joel 2:1 : "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."

In Jewish tradition, the shofar is prominently featured during the High Holy Days, particularly Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Its blasts are meant to stir the hearts of the faithful, prompting introspection and a return to God.

Construction and Characteristics

The shofar is traditionally made from the horn of a ram, though other kosher animals' horns may be used. Its natural, unadorned form is a testament to its humble origins and the simplicity of its construction. The process of crafting a shofar involves hollowing out the horn and shaping it to produce a resonant sound.

The sound of the shofar is unique and piercing, capable of evoking a range of emotions from fear to joy. Its tones vary depending on the size and shape of the horn, as well as the skill of the blower.

Conclusion

The trumpet made of rams' horns, or shofar, is a profound symbol within the biblical tradition. Its use in scripture underscores themes of divine intervention, repentance, and redemption, serving as a powerful reminder of God's presence and authority in the lives of His people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Joshua 6:4
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

Library

How the Midianites and Other Nations Fought against the Israelites ...
... in his right hand, which he used instead of a trumpet. ... on the signal given, sounded
with their rams' horns, and brake ... Thus there was a great slaughter made. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how the midianites.htm

Ten Reasons Demonstrating the Commandment of the Sabbath to be ...
... The promise was made to Abraham in a sabbatical year ... world began; and by the silver
trumpet of his ... Jubilee some derive of trumpets or rams'-horns, wherewith the ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/ten reasons demonstrating the commandment.htm

The Christian Described
... Israel's trumpets of rams'-horns, and Isaiah's walking naked, and Ezekiel's ... glory
shall at that day be made full of ... are ready to fly open; the trumpet is near ...
/.../bunyan/the riches of bunyan/xii the christian described.htm

The Gods of Egypt
... her back, and Sirius flaming from between her horns.[*]. ... Living rams were kept in
their temples, and allowed to ... statues and images which they made, and believed ...
/.../chapter ii the gods of egypt.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... which I heard a great sound of a trumpet, and saw ... But I say, I having made this
conclusion, I returned ... by a shout and the tiny blast of rams'-horns (Joshua 6:20 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
... was large: He gave silver, gold, bullocks, rams, lambs; with ... from them, of whom mention
is made before; nor ... of perdition; a beast, [that] hath two horns like a ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/of antichrist and his ruin .htm

Light for them that Sit in Darkness;
... with the whole lump of the children to whom the promise was made, and comprehended ...
law"the blood of bulls, the blood of lambs, the blood of rams, the blood ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/light for them that sit.htm

Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ;
... it is said concerning the true comers, At "that day the great trumpet shall be ... This
sense of things was that which made the three thousand come, that made Saul ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/come and welcome to jesus.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet' talking with me ... dragon, and beast with
seven heads and ten horns, to get into her vineyard, who made most fearful ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... that was above, over the gate, to entertain Christiana with shouting and sound of
trumpet for joy ... And she knocked then so loud, that she made Christiana to start ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm

Resources
What is the meaning of wormwood in Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

What is the Feast of Trumpets? | GotQuestions.org

What are the seven seals of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org

Trumpet: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Trumpet

Trumpet by Gideon's Soldiers

Trumpet in the Siege of Jericho

Trumpet in War, of Abijah

Trumpet in Worship

Trumpet used at Mount Sinai

Trumpet used for Assembling the People to War

Trumpet used for Blowing at all Religious Processions and Ceremonies

Trumpet used for Blowing Over the Sacrifices on the Feast Day

Trumpet used for Calling Assemblies

Trumpet used for Giving Alarm in Cases of Danger

Trumpet used for Proclaiming Kings

Trumpet used for Regulating the Journeys of the Children of Israel

Trumpet used for Sounding for a Memorial when the People Went Into Battle

Trumpet used in War

Trumpet: An Instrument of Music

Trumpet: At Jehoshaphat's Triumph

Trumpet: At the Anointing of Kings

Trumpet: At the Bringing up of the Ark of the Covenant from the Household of Obed-Edom

Trumpet: At the Dedication of Solomon's Temple

Trumpet: At the Dedication of the Wall

Trumpet: At the Foundation of the Second Temple

Trumpet: At the Jubilee

Trumpet: Called the Trump

Trumpet: Figurative

Trumpet: Made of Ram's Horn

Trumpet: Made of Rams' Horns

Trumpet: Made of Silver

Trumpet: Miracles Connected With: Confusion Produced in the Camp of the Midianites by Sound

Trumpet: Miracles Connected With: Falling of the Walls of Jericho

Trumpet: Miracles Connected With: Heard at Mount Sinai at Giving of the Law

Trumpet: Moses Commanded to Make Two, for the Tabernacle

Trumpet: On the Great Day of Atonement

Trumpet: Required to Give an Intelligible and Understood Sound

Trumpet: Solomon Made a Great Many, for the Service of the Temple

Trumpet: Sounded in Time of Danger

Trumpet: Sounding of, Illustrative of God's Power to Raise the Dead

Trumpet: Sounding of, Illustrative of The Bold and Faithful Preaching of Ministers

Trumpet: Sounding of, Illustrative of The Latter Day Judgments

Trumpet: Sounding of, Illustrative of The Proclamation of the Gospel

Trumpet: Symbolical

Trumpet: The Feast of Trumpets Celebrated by Blowing of

Trumpet: The Jubilee Introduced by Blowing of

Trumpet: The Priests to Blow the Sacred

Trumpet: The War-Horse Acquainted With the Sound of

Trumpet: To Summon Soldiers by Absalom

Trumpet: To Summon Soldiers by Ehud

Trumpet: To Summon Soldiers by Gideon

Trumpet: To Summon Soldiers by Joab

Trumpet: To Summon Soldiers by Nehemiah

Trumpet: To Summon Soldiers by Phinehas

Trumpet: To Summon Soldiers by Saul

Trumpet: To Summon Soldiers by Sheba

Trumpet: Uses of, Prescribed by Moses

Related Terms

Trumpet (74 Occurrences)

Trumpet-blast (2 Occurrences)

Trumpet's (1 Occurrence)

Trump (2 Occurrences)

Blew (37 Occurrences)

Blown (30 Occurrences)

Bloweth (10 Occurrences)

Ram's (7 Occurrences)

Blast (28 Occurrences)

Almsgiving (3 Occurrences)

Cornet (8 Occurrences)

Alms (13 Occurrences)

Alarm (26 Occurrences)

Year (4027 Occurrences)

Trumpeter (1 Occurrence)

Sounds (64 Occurrences)

Ensign (21 Occurrences)

Blowing (31 Occurrences)

Trumpets (52 Occurrences)

Thunder (48 Occurrences)

Sounded (66 Occurrences)

Shouting (83 Occurrences)

Loud (222 Occurrences)

Shouted (65 Occurrences)

Shout (114 Occurrences)

Jubilee (25 Occurrences)

Blow (124 Occurrences)

Nethaneel (14 Occurrences)

Lightnings (17 Occurrences)

Imperishable (11 Occurrences)

Incapable (5 Occurrences)

Instant (19 Occurrences)

Incorruptible (8 Occurrences)

Trembled (43 Occurrences)

Twinkling (1 Occurrence)

Resembled (18 Occurrences)

Decay (18 Occurrences)

Proclamation (31 Occurrences)

Beth-haccerem (2 Occurrences)

Bichri (8 Occurrences)

Bethhaccerem (2 Occurrences)

Amos (12 Occurrences)

Ablaze (19 Occurrences)

Atonements (6 Occurrences)

Soundeth (6 Occurrences)

Signal (18 Occurrences)

Dispersed (28 Occurrences)

Warfare (18 Occurrences)

Changed (177 Occurrences)

Warning (30 Occurrences)

Lightning (49 Occurrences)

Sounding (99 Occurrences)

Moment (71 Occurrences)

Uproar (33 Occurrences)

Assemble (77 Occurrences)

Messengers (182 Occurrences)

Tekoa (12 Occurrences)

Warn (35 Occurrences)

Flat (33 Occurrences)

Banner (20 Occurrences)

Winds (35 Occurrences)

Feast (209 Occurrences)

Trunk (3 Occurrences)

Noise (126 Occurrences)

Tenth (89 Occurrences)

Over-against (156 Occurrences)

Jo'ab (120 Occurrences)

Month (197 Occurrences)

Further (121 Occurrences)

Tremble (92 Occurrences)

Standard (42 Occurrences)

Gideon (45 Occurrences)

Horn (108 Occurrences)

Afar (98 Occurrences)

War (529 Occurrences)

Ahead (98 Occurrences)

Warned (63 Occurrences)

Seventh (123 Occurrences)

Abroad (120 Occurrences)

Trumpet: Made of Ram's Horn
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