שֹׁפָר (sho.phar)
sho.phar
trumpet
H:N-MQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 55 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-M
Word Overview
The noun shoфар refers to a trumpet, specifically one made from a curved ram’s horn. Its etymology connects it to the idea of incising or cutting, reflecting how animal horns were hollowed out and shaped to produce sound. This distinguishes it from the metal חֲצֹוצְרָה (chatsotsrah), which was a straight, crafted instrument. The shoфар’s natural origin gave it a distinctive, piercing tone that carried well across open terrain.
In Scripture, this instrument serves as a vital signal for both celebration and alarm. It marks the joyous acclamation of David bringing the ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:15) and announces the Jubilee year when liberty is proclaimed throughout the land (Leviticus 25:9). Conversely, its blast warns of impending danger, as seen when Jeremiah describes it sounding like a cry from the hills to signal invasion (Jeremiah 4:5). The sound itself is often compared to the fierce neighing of a warhorse in Job 39:25, emphasizing its power and urgency.
The most famous use occurs at Jericho, where the priests blow the horns as part of the ritual to bring down the city walls (Joshua 6:4-8). Here, the shoфар is not merely a musical tool but an instrument of divine action. Its clear, sharp sound cut through the silence, serving as a audible sign of God’s presence and power in the midst of battle.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word shoфар refers to a trumpet made from a curved ram’s horn. Unlike metal instruments, its natural origin gave it a sharp, piercing tone that carried far across open terrain. In Scripture, this sound serves as a vital signal for both celebration and alarm. It marks the joyous acclamation of David bringing the ark to Jerusalem (2 Samuel 6:15) and announces liberty during the Jubilee year (Leviticus 25:9). Conversely, its blast warns of impending danger, such as when Jeremiah describes it signaling invasion (Jeremiah 4:5).
The most famous use occurs at Jericho, where priests blow these horns to bring down city walls (Joshua 6:4-8). Here, the shoфар is not merely a musical tool but an instrument of divine action. Its clear sound cuts through silence, serving as an audible sign of God’s presence and power in the midst of battle. This reminds us that God often uses simple, natural means to accomplish profound spiritual purposes.
When you hear this word in your reading, consider how God uses clear signals to guide His people. Whether calling for worship or warning of trouble, the shoфар invites us to pay attention to His voice. May you find comfort in knowing that He speaks clearly to those who listen with open hearts.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 55 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- a trumpet11×
- on the/ trumpets10×
- on the/ trumpet7×
- a ram's horn7×
- on the/ ram's horn5×
- the/ ram's horn4×
- a horn4×
- the/ trumpets2×
- the/ trumpet2×
- [the] trumpets of2×
- trumpets/ their1×
- trumpets of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- בַּ/שּׁוֹפָ֔ר7×
- שׁוֹפָ֖ר6×
- שׁוֹפָר֙3×
- שׁוֹפָֽר\׃3×
- שׁוֹפָ֑ר3×
- הַ/שּׁוֹפָ֔ר3×
- בַּ/שּׁוֹפָרֽוֹת\׃3×
- שׁוֹפָ֔ר2×
- שׁוֹפְר֤וֹת2×
- הַ/שֹּׁפָ֔ר2×
- בַּ/שּׁוֹפָר֑וֹת2×
- שׁוֹפָר֤וֹת1×
Key Verses
-
Joshua 6:5
It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the city wall will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, every man straight in front of him.”
This verse links the long blast of the ram’s horn directly to the miraculous falling of Jericho’s walls, showing the instrument as a catalyst for divine intervention.
-
Leviticus 25:9
Then you shall sound the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you shall sound the trumpet throughout all your land.
Here the trumpet signals the Jubilee year, marking a time of restoration and liberty proclaimed throughout the land on the Day of Atonement.
-
Exodus 19:16
On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled.
The exceedingly loud trumpet sound accompanies God’s descent on Sinai, causing the people to tremble in reverence at His holy presence.
-
II Samuel 6:15
So David and all the house of Israel brought up Yahweh’s ark with shouting and with the sound of the trumpet.
David and Israel use the trumpet’s sound alongside shouting to celebrate joyfully as they bring the ark of the covenant into Jerusalem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does shoфар mean in the Bible?
How is shoфар different from chatsotsrah?
Where does the shoфар appear most significantly?
Every Occurrence (55 verses across 19 books)
Exodus 3 verses
On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the…
Exodus 19:19When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him by a voice.
Exodus 20:18All the people perceived the thunderings, the lightnings, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking. When the…