The Shofar — God’s Ancient Trumpet
What is a Shofar?
The shofar (שׁוֹפָר) is an ancient instrument made from a ram’s horn, mentioned over 70 times in the Bible. It was used for religious ceremonies, military signals, and royal announcements — a piercing, unearthly sound meant to awaken the soul and summon God’s people.
The Shofar in Scripture
- Exodus 19:16 — The shofar sounded on Mount Sinai as God gave the Law
- Joshua 6:20 — The walls of Jericho fell when the priests blew their shofars
- Judges 7:19-22 — Gideon’s 300 men blew shofars and routed the Midianite army
- Joel 2:1 — “Blow the shofar in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill!”
- Psalm 81:3 — “Blow the shofar at the new moon”
- 1 Corinthians 15:52 — The last trumpet (shofar) at the resurrection of the dead
The Sounds of the Shofar
- Tekiah — One long, straight blast. A call to attention.
- Shevarim — Three broken notes. A cry of brokenness and repentance.
- Teruah — Short staccato blasts. An alarm to wake up.
- Tekiah Gedolah — The great blast, held as long as possible.
“If the shofar gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?” — 1 Corinthians 14:8
Hear the Shofar
Listen to the shofar and learn its four traditional calls.