תֵּקַע
a blast of a trumpet
Definition
The Hebrew noun תֵּקַע (têqaʻ) refers specifically to a 'blast' or 'sound' produced by a trumpet or horn. It denotes the distinct, sharp sound used for signaling, celebration, or worship. In its sole biblical occurrence, it describes the sound of the shofar (ram's horn) in the context of praising God (Psalm 150:3). The word captures the concept of a deliberate, forceful, and attention-grabbing acoustic signal.
Biblical Usage
This word is used only once in the Old Testament, in Psalm 150:3, which commands: 'Praise him with the sound of the trumpet (shofar); praise him with the psaltery and harp.' Here, תֵּקַע is part of a list of musical instruments used in exuberant worship. Its singular usage links it exclusively to a liturgical and celebratory context of praise.
Etymology
תֵּקַע is a noun derived from the verbal root תָּקַע (H8628), meaning 'to blow, clap, strike, or thrust.' This root conveys actions involving a sharp, impactful contact, such as blowing a horn, driving in a tent peg, or clapping hands. The noun form focuses on the resulting sound from the act of blowing a wind instrument.
Semantic Range
Though used only once, תֵּקַע is theologically significant as it connects to the shofar's rich symbolic role in Israel's worship. The shofar blast called people to assembly, signaled God's presence (Exodus 19:16), and announced feasts and coronations. In Psalm 150:3, understanding תֵּקַע as a specific, commanded blast enriches our view of praise as both a joyful noise and a deliberate act of proclamation, echoing the trumpet's role in heralding God's kingship.
In ancient Israel, trumpet and shofar blasts were vital for communication, signaling everything from warfare to religious festivals. A תֵּקַע was not mere background music but a powerful, culturally understood signal that commanded attention and action. The sound referenced in Psalm 150 would have immediately evoked associations of divine summons, victory, and sacred celebration for the original audience.
שׁוֹפָר (shôphar, H7782) — the actual ram's horn instrument that produces the תֵּקַע. חֲצֹצְרָה (chatsotsrah, H2689) — a crafted metal trumpet, also blown to produce a similar signaling blast.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
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