Trumpet Blast תְּרוּעָה

We are in chapter twenty-three of Leviticus with our word for today used for the first time in the Bible in our chapter today. תְּרוּעָה war cry, alarm for war, signal, shout for joy, tumult, loud noise, trumpet blast. It is used 36 times in the Old Testament. Our word is used the most in the sense to shout, a loud utterance, often in protest or opposition. Joshua 6:20 So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great תְּרוּעָ֣ה shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city. Ezra 3:11 And they sang responsively, praising and giving thanks to the Lord, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever toward Israel.” And all the people shouted with a great תְרוּעָה֙ shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. 1 Samuel 4:5-6 As soon as the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel gave a mighty תְּרוּעָ֣ה shout, so that the earth resounded. And when the Philistines heard the noise of the הַתְּרוּעָ֔ה shouting, they said, “What does this great הַתְּרוּעָ֧ה shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean?” Our word is also used in the sense of a trumpet blast, the sharp sound of a shofar or rudimentary trumpet. Leviticus 25:9 Then you shall sound the תְּרוּעָה֙ loud שׁוֹפַ֤ר [this is a different word for shofar or trumpet] trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you shall sound the trumpet throughout all your land. This is how our word is used in our chapter today. Leviticus 23:23-24 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed תְּרוּעָ֖ה [the word for trumpet is not in the original but supplied because of the context] with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation. This sets the tone for this feast which leads us into another way our word is used. We also find our word used in the context of joyful worship to God. I’ll close with these great passages from Psalms. Psalm 27:6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices תְרוּעָ֑ה with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, בִּתְרוּעָֽה with loud shouts. Psalm 150:5 Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him תְרוּעָֽה with loud clashing cymbals!