The SHOFAR

shofar

The Ram’s Horn...

Shofar is the Hebrew term for a trumpet made from a curved ram's horn. To sound the ram's horn came from the root word "Teruwah" in Hebrew which means clangor of trumpets, acclamation of joy, clamor, rejoicing, high joyful sound, loud noise, wild shout, a battle cry, to announce forcefully or loudly. "Uwah" means to split the ears with sound.
The ram's horn represents the ram caught in the thicket, when Abraham was about to sacrifice Isaac.

For Christians, the shofar represents Jesus and reminds us of God's provision of an oblation that is both sufficient and satisfactory.
The shofar is not considered a musical instrument but is blown for a variety of reasons.

Blowing the Shofar

Scripture references below are hyperlinked to the Contemporary English Version,

In the Hebrew Scriptures

Blown

to herald the Lord's decent and the giving of the law at Mount Sinai.
Exodus 19: 16, 19 and 20: 18

Blown

to usher in the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanna).
This was a call to "Sabbath rest, a memorial of blowing trumpets, a holy convocation." It marked the beginning of a ten-day period of self-examination and repentance culminating with the Day of Atonement. The one who blows the shofar recites the blessing: "Blessed art Thou, Lord / God, King of the universe who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to hear the sound of the shofar." The congregation responds with "Amen." It tells us to "Awake, ye sleepers from your sleep...and ponder your deeds."
Numbers 29: 1

Blown

to herald the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).
A long blast is sounded to begin Yom Kippur.
Leviticus 25: 9

Blown

to announce the Year of Jubilee.
Jubilee in Hebrew is "Yabel," meaning to flow and is rendered trumpets. Every fifty years slaves were freed, debts were forgiven and land returned to the original owner.
Leviticus 25: 9-10

Blown

continually as part of strategic warfare at the battle of Jericho.
Joshua 6: 4-20

Blown

by Gideon to rally troops and by the 300 men in his army in battle.
Judges 6: 34 and 7: 8, 16, 20

Blown

to usher in the ark of the Lord (His presence) as David danced.
2 Samuel 6: 15
2 Chronicles 15: 14

Blown

when a king was anointed.
1 Kings 1: 34, 39, 41
2 Kings 9: 13

Blown

at the taking of an oath.
2 Chronicles 15: 14

Blown

to rally the troops.
Nehemiah 4: 18, 20

Blown

to announce God's presence and to praise and worship Him.
Psalms 47: 5, and Psalms 98: 6; and Psalms 150: 3
Isaiah 27: 13 and Isaiah 18: 3
Revelation 1: 10

Blown

to call people to repentance.
Isaiah 58:1 and Hosea 8:1 and Joel 2: 1

Blown

to sound the alarm of war.
Jeremiah 4: 19, 21 and Jeremiah 6: 1, 17 and Jeremiah 51: 27
Joel 2: 1

Blown

to sound the warning of danger.
Amos 2: 2; and Amos 3: 6
Zephaniah 1: 16
Hosea 5: 8 and Hosea 8:1
Ezekiel 33: 2-9
Isaiah 58:1 (The sound of the trumpet is compared to a prophet's voice.)

Blown

to call the assembly together to repentance and fasting.
Joel 2: 1, 15

Blown

by the Lord.
Zechariah 9: 14

In the Greek New Testament

Blown

by the angels.
Matthew 24: 31 and
Revelation 8: 2, 6ff; Revelation 9: 1, 13; Revelation 10: 7; and Revelation 11: 15

Blown

at His coming.
1 Corinthians 15: 52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16

Shofar Blessings | Judaica | Aqedah