I urge all believers to put the shofar and the pursuit of Hebrew in the right place, and not to make the original languages of the Bible or the trumpet (shofar) appear too mystical. The shofar is nothing but a call to prayer and spiritual warfare while our learning of Hebrew / Greek is to help us understand (or exegete) God's Word better.
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| I bought this in Shenzhen, China some 25 years ago when I was on a work visit to our Union Carbide manufacturing plant there. It only cost me RMB 12. It has been collecting dust all these years. |
Praise the Lord for the shofar.
It was used as a war-trumpet. A call to warfare. Joshua and the Israelites were told to use it at the final moments before the wall of Jericho came tumbling down. Humpty Dumpty who sat on the wall of Jericho could not be saved even by the king's horses and the king's men. That is how POWERFUL, not the shofar, but our GOD!
This is how sometimes I feel that we have forgotten our real focus is on the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when we get hyped up about something new to us. The same with people who say that Hebrew is the heavenly tongue and God only speaks in Hebrew. My question is: Why did God use koine Greek for the New Testament then? Why not Hebrew all the way?
It is time that we put the shofar in its rightful place, as an instrument to call people to spiritual warfare, just as the שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל (Deut 6:4-6) is the call to the people of Israel to acknowledge that 'the LORD our God is one God.'
Apart from being a traditional trumpet, the shofar can be made of bronze or other metals. In word used in the New Testament Greek is σάλπιγξ. The New American Standard Bible even translates this as 'bugle' in 1 Cor 14:8. If there is any truth that the word 'shofar' has a ring of holiness to it, the word was unfortunately never used anywhere in the New Testament. The New Testament uses the word σάλπιγξ in its different cases for the war-trumpet. Let's look at this reference:
The trumpet (σάλπιγξ). Properly, a war-trumpet.
19. Sound of a trumpet (σάλπιγγος ἤχῳ). See Exodus 19:16, 19; 20:18. Ἦχος a noise, almost entirely in Luke and Acts. See Luke 4:37; Acts 2:2; comp. LXX, 1 Samuel 14:19. Of the roar of the waves, Luke 21:25; comp. LXX, Psalm 64:7; 76:17. A rumor or report, See on Luke 4:37, and comp. LXX, 1 Samuel 4:16; Psalm 9:6. It does not occur in the O.T. narrative of the giving of the law, where we have φωνή voice; see LXX, Exodus 19:13, 16, 19; 20:18. For φωνή σάλπιγγος voice of a trumpet in N.T., see Revelation 1:10; 4:1; 8:13. Σάλπιγξ is a war-trumpet.
In one session on the shofar that I attended, a sister shared that she would not use the shofar because it is too holy for her to use in her practice. She was rightly corrected by the shofar teacher that the Bible is also sacred, but it does not mean that one cannot use it for our Cell Group Bible Studies or we should use it only for some sacred ceremonies. Why then have we made the shofar so sacred that it cannot be used on other occasions? Who has been teaching such things and why have people become so gullible?
In a same session, another shofar guru told the people that the shofar must not be overwhelming that it distracts the worship services. I have seen it before, when the shofar is blown at the right time and at the right place, it is a beautiful call for spiritual warfare.
I urge all believers to put the shofar and the pursuit of Hebrew in the right place, and not to hype up the original languages of the Bible or the trumpet (shofar) as though they are anything mystical. The shofar is nothing but a trumpet call to prayer and spiritual warfare while our learning of Hebrew / Greek is to help us understand (or exegete) God's Word better. You can use a bugle, a metal trumpet, but why just the shofar? Jesus never used the shofar to chase away evil spirits.
Basically the shofar is nothing but a trumpet made of ram's horn. I have a question for all of you: If the word `shofar' is so sacred to God that He would hear no other trumpets except the shofar, then when the New Testament was written in koine Greek, why did the writers not preserve the word even in its transliterated form?
Let us not get carried away although the marketing gimmick and start idolising the shofar.
It is fine for us to have a session where everyone blows the shofar and practise together, but our main focus should always be as what Jesus said: "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..." (Matthew 6:33a)
Other References:
TDNT (Little Kittle):
A. The Greek World.
I. Meaning.
1. sálpinx. This word denotes a wind instrument, made of bronze or iron with a mouthpiece of horn, and broadening out to a megaphone, i.e., a “trumpet.” The word may also denote the sound made by the instrument, its signal or playing. Other uses are for thunder as a heavenly trumpet sound or for a human speaker as a trumpet.
2. salpízō. This word means “to blow on a trumpet,” “to give a trumpet blast or signal,” “to blow on an instrument,” “to thunder.”
3. salpistḗs. This is one form of the word for “trumpeter.”
II. Origin and Use.
1. Origin. Trumpets are used from an early date in the Near East (cf. the Persians, Hittites, and Egyptians). The Greeks know them from the time of Homer but not at first as military instruments.
2. The War Trumpet. The trumpet soon finds use in the army for giving signals. It replaces the earlier Spartan flute and Cretan lyre. It passes on signals, fires with courage, terrifies enemies, signals retreat, rallies the scattered, ends battles. In the Roman camp it gives the signal for sleeping, watching, and waking.
3. The Trumpet in Peace. Shepherds use trumpets to gather their flocks. Heralds initiate trials by trumpet sounds. Trumpets silence the people for prayer or summon them to sacrifice. Trumpeters have a place in funerals and triumphs. Trumpet competitions are part of the games. Only a few notes can be played but trumpet playing is an art in view of the strong lungs that it requires.
4. A Musical Instrument. It is doubtful whether the trumpet has much of a role as a musical instrument. The Egyptian trumpets have only two notes. They may give signals and set rhythms but not play real music. Trumpets have a loud and penetrating sound that is sometimes compared to the braying of an ass or roaring of a bull.
B. The OT.
1. Hebrew Equivalents.
1. sálpinx. This word is most often used for a Hebrew term that is better translated as a ram’s horn or a horn in general. Trumpet is a more accurate rendering in the case of the cultic instruments of Num. 10:21; 2 Kgs. 11:14; 2 Chr. 5:12-13. This superior instrument then tends to supplant the ram’s horn and has an important place in priestly ministry (2 Chr. 29:26ff.). The instrument of Josh. 6:5 seems to be an animal horn; it has a place in Nebuchadnezzar’s “orchestra” in Daniel. Another word used in Gen. 4:21 has various senses, e.g., horn, trumpet, signal, or the feast announced by such a signal; it means “horn” in Ex. 19:19, but in Josh. 6:4ff. it denotes, not an instrument, but the material of which the instruments are made. In Lev. 23:24 sálpinx is used for a word that really means “noise” (Josh. 6:5) of “alarm” (Num. 10:5). The true reference in Ezek. 7:14 seems to be to blowing rather than to an instrument.
2. salpízō. This word is used for various Hebrew terms in such senses as “to blow an alarm,” “to cry,” “to draw out a note,” “to sound.”
3. salpistḗs. This noun does not occur in the OT, which has no special term for those who blow trumpets, e.g., priests in 2 Chr. 29:26; Ezr. 3:10. (For details of the Hebrew terms see TDNT, VII, 76-78.)
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II. Use and Significance.
1. In War. Horns or trumpets play an important role in war, whether to give warning, to summon to battle, to sound an attack, to frighten enemies, or, religiously, to invoke God’s help. The horn also sounds a retreat, announces victory, and dismisses the host.
2. In Peace. Horns or trumpets are used at coronations, at the laying of the temple’s foundation, at its dedication, in festal processions, and in solemn self-dedication to God.
3. Cultic Use. The trumpet or horn is sounded at offerings, at the temple dedication, at feasts, at fasts, and at the initiation of the year of release.
4. Theophanies. In both war and peace there is a strict relation to God, but there is a special use of the trumpet at Sinai (Ex. 19:16ff.; cf. Zech. 9:14), where the trumpet seems to denote the inexpressible voice of God.
5. Eschatological Significance. The horn will announce the day of the Lord (Joel 2:1; Zeph. 1:16), the last judgment, and the age of salvation (Is. 27:13; Zeph. 9:14).
6. Musical Instruments. The horn or trumpet is a musical instrument in Babylon in Dan. 3:5ff. and in temple praise in 2 Chr. 5:13; Ps. 150:3. Horns and trumpets do not play melodies but stress the rhythm and strengthen the sound.
Vincent’s Word Studies in NT (Greek Content)
8. The trumpet (σάλπιγξ). Properly, a war-trumpet.
19. Sound of a trumpet (σάλπιγγος ἤχῳ). See Exodus 19:16, 19; 20:18. Ἦχος a noise, almost entirely in Luke and Acts. See Luke 4:37; Acts 2:2; comp. LXX, 1 Samuel 14:19. Of the roar of the waves, Luke 21:25; comp. LXX, Psalm 64:7; 76:17. A rumor or report, See on Luke 4:37, and comp. LXX, 1 Samuel 4:16; Psalm 9:6. It does not occur in the O.T. narrative of the giving of the law, where we have φωνή voice; see LXX, Exodus 19:13, 16, 19; 20:18. For φωνή σάλπιγγος voice of a trumpet in N.T., see Revelation 1:10; 4:1; 8:13. Σάλπιγξ is a war-trumpet.
It is fine for us to have a session where everyone blows the shofar and practise together, but our main focus should always be as what Jesus said: "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness..." (Matthew 6:33a)
Other References:
TDNT (Little Kittle):
A. The Greek World.
I. Meaning.
1. sálpinx. This word denotes a wind instrument, made of bronze or iron with a mouthpiece of horn, and broadening out to a megaphone, i.e., a “trumpet.” The word may also denote the sound made by the instrument, its signal or playing. Other uses are for thunder as a heavenly trumpet sound or for a human speaker as a trumpet.
2. salpízō. This word means “to blow on a trumpet,” “to give a trumpet blast or signal,” “to blow on an instrument,” “to thunder.”
3. salpistḗs. This is one form of the word for “trumpeter.”
II. Origin and Use.
1. Origin. Trumpets are used from an early date in the Near East (cf. the Persians, Hittites, and Egyptians). The Greeks know them from the time of Homer but not at first as military instruments.
2. The War Trumpet. The trumpet soon finds use in the army for giving signals. It replaces the earlier Spartan flute and Cretan lyre. It passes on signals, fires with courage, terrifies enemies, signals retreat, rallies the scattered, ends battles. In the Roman camp it gives the signal for sleeping, watching, and waking.
3. The Trumpet in Peace. Shepherds use trumpets to gather their flocks. Heralds initiate trials by trumpet sounds. Trumpets silence the people for prayer or summon them to sacrifice. Trumpeters have a place in funerals and triumphs. Trumpet competitions are part of the games. Only a few notes can be played but trumpet playing is an art in view of the strong lungs that it requires.
4. A Musical Instrument. It is doubtful whether the trumpet has much of a role as a musical instrument. The Egyptian trumpets have only two notes. They may give signals and set rhythms but not play real music. Trumpets have a loud and penetrating sound that is sometimes compared to the braying of an ass or roaring of a bull.
B. The OT.
1. Hebrew Equivalents.
1. sálpinx. This word is most often used for a Hebrew term that is better translated as a ram’s horn or a horn in general. Trumpet is a more accurate rendering in the case of the cultic instruments of Num. 10:21; 2 Kgs. 11:14; 2 Chr. 5:12-13. This superior instrument then tends to supplant the ram’s horn and has an important place in priestly ministry (2 Chr. 29:26ff.). The instrument of Josh. 6:5 seems to be an animal horn; it has a place in Nebuchadnezzar’s “orchestra” in Daniel. Another word used in Gen. 4:21 has various senses, e.g., horn, trumpet, signal, or the feast announced by such a signal; it means “horn” in Ex. 19:19, but in Josh. 6:4ff. it denotes, not an instrument, but the material of which the instruments are made. In Lev. 23:24 sálpinx is used for a word that really means “noise” (Josh. 6:5) of “alarm” (Num. 10:5). The true reference in Ezek. 7:14 seems to be to blowing rather than to an instrument.
2. salpízō. This word is used for various Hebrew terms in such senses as “to blow an alarm,” “to cry,” “to draw out a note,” “to sound.”
3. salpistḗs. This noun does not occur in the OT, which has no special term for those who blow trumpets, e.g., priests in 2 Chr. 29:26; Ezr. 3:10. (For details of the Hebrew terms see TDNT, VII, 76-78.)
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II. Use and Significance.
1. In War. Horns or trumpets play an important role in war, whether to give warning, to summon to battle, to sound an attack, to frighten enemies, or, religiously, to invoke God’s help. The horn also sounds a retreat, announces victory, and dismisses the host.
2. In Peace. Horns or trumpets are used at coronations, at the laying of the temple’s foundation, at its dedication, in festal processions, and in solemn self-dedication to God.
3. Cultic Use. The trumpet or horn is sounded at offerings, at the temple dedication, at feasts, at fasts, and at the initiation of the year of release.
4. Theophanies. In both war and peace there is a strict relation to God, but there is a special use of the trumpet at Sinai (Ex. 19:16ff.; cf. Zech. 9:14), where the trumpet seems to denote the inexpressible voice of God.
5. Eschatological Significance. The horn will announce the day of the Lord (Joel 2:1; Zeph. 1:16), the last judgment, and the age of salvation (Is. 27:13; Zeph. 9:14).
6. Musical Instruments. The horn or trumpet is a musical instrument in Babylon in Dan. 3:5ff. and in temple praise in 2 Chr. 5:13; Ps. 150:3. Horns and trumpets do not play melodies but stress the rhythm and strengthen the sound.
Vincent’s Word Studies in NT (Greek Content)
8. The trumpet (σάλπιγξ). Properly, a war-trumpet.
19. Sound of a trumpet (σάλπιγγος ἤχῳ). See Exodus 19:16, 19; 20:18. Ἦχος a noise, almost entirely in Luke and Acts. See Luke 4:37; Acts 2:2; comp. LXX, 1 Samuel 14:19. Of the roar of the waves, Luke 21:25; comp. LXX, Psalm 64:7; 76:17. A rumor or report, See on Luke 4:37, and comp. LXX, 1 Samuel 4:16; Psalm 9:6. It does not occur in the O.T. narrative of the giving of the law, where we have φωνή voice; see LXX, Exodus 19:13, 16, 19; 20:18. For φωνή σάλπιγγος voice of a trumpet in N.T., see Revelation 1:10; 4:1; 8:13. Σάλπιγξ is a war-trumpet.
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