We are currently covering a series on Biblical practices largely neglected in modern life. Last week, we covered the topic of keeping the Sabbath. Today, we will talk about the practice of sounding the shofar. While modern Jews still utilize this instrument, Christians are unfamiliar with its practice and significance . Learn more about the Biblical meaning of this instrument below.
What is a Shofar?
A shofar is an instrument from ancient Israel and other areas in the Levant. The shofar is in the natural brass instrument family and some translations refer to it as a trumpet. Ram’s horn is the most common, traditional material. However, any kosher animal horn is acceptable, including horns of goat, gazelle, and antelope. The only exception would be the horn of the bull, due of the sin with the golden calf (Exodus 32).
What does a shofar sound like? You’ve probably heard it before. It’s quite beautiful. Click the (link) to hear the shofar blown by the praise and worship channel nikkyttmessianic on YouTube.
Where do we find the Shofar in the Bible? Why?
Biblical figures blew the shofar as an instrument in praise and worship, to herald news of war and victory, announce important events, and as a ritual during Jewish festivals and holidays.
Praise and Worship: The shofar is referenced many times throughout Bible as an instrument utilized in praise and worship. It was often recorded along with other musical instruments.
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King.” (Psalm 98:4-6).
War and Victory: The Israelites utilized the shofar in unique ways during two famous battles. Both battles displayed that victory came not from the strength of each army but from the power of the Lord:
The Battle of Jericho. “Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry 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. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” (Joshua 6:2-5).
Gideon’s Defeat of the Midianites. “The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!” While each man held his position around the camp, all the Midianites ran, crying out as they fled.” (Judges 7:20-21).
Important Announcements: The shofar is a tool, right? As the ancient Israelites didn’t have televisions, loudspeakers, or megaphones, the shofar was an important tool to call the people together, especially during important moments:
One of these significant moments was when the people were gathered at the foot of Mount Sinai to receive the Covenant and the Ten Commandments: “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. Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain.” (Exodus 19:16-17)
Another important announcement was the establishment of a new king. When David was ready to transfer power to his son Solomon, along with having Solomon mount his mule, the shofar was blown in the streets: “There have Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him king over Israel. Blow the trumpet and shout, ‘Long live King Solomon!’” (1 Kings 1:34).
Festivals and Holidays
Rosh Hashanah is the time of New Year on the Jewish calendar. Also known as Yom Teruah, which means “the day of the blasting of the shofar,” or the Festival of Trumpets. The shofar is sounded 100 times during the traditional Rosh Hashanah prayer services. “On the first day of the seventh month hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. It is a day for you to sound the trumpets.” (Numbers 29:1)
The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). As referenced above, the people met with God at the foot of Mount Sinai (Exodus 19) to receive the Ten Commandments. The series of events that followed are to be remembered annually. Along with fasting, one of the rituals on this day will be a loud and long blast of the shofar to mark the end of the fast: “Then have the trumpet sounded everywhere on the tenth day of the seventh month; on the Day of Atonement sound the trumpet throughout your land.” (Leviticus 25:9)
Is the shofar relevant in the new Testament?
Many modern English translations make it a little confusing, as they sometimes use the term trumpet in situations where the term shofar may be most accurate. Hebrew texts reference two separate words: the specific ram’s horn (shofar) and a straight, silver trumpet (chatsotserah), both shown in Psalm 98. I love that modern Jews continue the tradition of utilizing the ancient instrument of a ram’s horn. Christians do not tend to observe Jewish holidays such as Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, so we tend to be unfamiliar with the instrument. However, Christians would benefit from familiarity with the shofar, as the New Testament records it several times, particularly in reference to the last days.
If you happen to be washing the dishes and hear the shofar or trumpet…you might want to look up! Just in case. We will all hear the the blowing of the shofar when Jesus returns:
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
We will hear a shofar when He gathers His people. Whether that will occur pre-tribulation, mid-, or post, I’m not sure. Regardless, before we go up…we will hear the trumpet/shofar!
“And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” (Matthew 24:31)
Further, Revelation reveals seven more important moments in which we will hear the shofar. In each of these seven instances, an angel will be blow the shofar/trumpet. The first six trumpet blasts will be judgments, with corresponding plagues upon the earth:
- First blast of the shofar: 1/3 of all trees and vegetation destroyed
- Second blast of the shofar: 1/3 of the seas contaminated, sea creatures and ships destroyed
- Third blast of the shofar: Wormwood—freshwater polluted
- Fourth blast of the shofar: 1/3 of the sun, moon, and stars will be dimmed
- Fifth blast of the shofar: Locusts/scorpions (yikes!)
- Sixth blast of the shofar: Death—1/3 of humans on earth deceased (Revelation 8-9)
After all this destruction, the seventh blowing of the shofar/trumpet will finally bring good news! This sound will mark the victory of the Lord and the beginning of His eternal kingdom:
The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15).
I hope you enjoyed learning about the Biblical meaning of the shofar. Keep reading this week as I continue the series researching Biblical practices largely neglected in modern times. Next up, I will be covering the use of sackcloth and ashes.
