Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the trumpet serves as a powerful symbol, representing various divine messages and actions. Its use is deeply rooted in the cultural and religious practices of ancient Israel and extends into the eschatological visions of the New Testament.Old Testament Symbolism The trumpet, often made from a ram's horn (shofar) or metal, was used in a variety of contexts in the Old Testament. It signified the presence and intervention of God, calling the people to attention, worship, or action. In Exodus 19:16, the sound of a trumpet is associated with the theophany at Mount Sinai: "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 trumpet symbolizes the awe-inspiring presence of God and His covenant with Israel. In Numbers 10:2-10, God commands Moses to make two silver trumpets for summoning the congregation and for breaking camp. The trumpets were also blown in times of war, as seen in Joshua 6:4-5, where the fall of Jericho is preceded by the blowing of trumpets: "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." Prophetic and Eschatological Significance The trumpet also holds significant prophetic and eschatological meaning. In the prophetic books, the trumpet often signals impending judgment or the call to repentance. Joel 2:1 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." In the New Testament, the trumpet is prominently featured in the apocalyptic visions of Revelation. The seven trumpets in Revelation 8-11 herald a series of divine judgments upon the earth, each trumpet blast bringing forth a new calamity. Revelation 8:6 states, "Then the seven angels with the seven trumpets prepared to sound them." The trumpet is also associated with the resurrection and the return of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 15:52, Paul writes, "in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed." Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 4:16 describes the return of Christ: "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." Symbol of Divine Authority and Revelation Throughout Scripture, the trumpet symbolizes divine authority and revelation. It serves as a call to worship, a signal of God's presence, and a herald of His mighty acts. The trumpet's sound is a reminder of God's sovereignty and the unfolding of His divine plan, urging believers to remain vigilant and faithful. Nave's Topical Index Matthew 24:31And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. Nave's Topical Index 1 Corinthians 15:52 1 Thessalonians 4:16 Revelation 1:10 Revelation 4:1 Revelation 8:1 Revelation 9:1-14 Revelation 10:7 Revelation 11:15 Library At the Feast of Tabernacles - First Discourse in the Temple The Golden Lampstand The Servant's Triumph In the Dead who were Raised by Christ we Possess the Highest Proof ... Jesus Only A Soul Gazing on God Of the Three Woe Trumpets. The Apocalypse. Vision and SerVice The First vision "In Heaven": Chapters 4-5 Resources Are the sky trumpets people have been reporting signs of the end times? | GotQuestions.orgWhat are the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls in the Book of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org What are the three woes of Revelation? | GotQuestions.org Trumpet: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Trumpet in the Siege of Jericho 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: 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: 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: 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 |