תְּרוּעָה
clamor, i.e. acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangorof trumpets, as an alarum
Definition
The Hebrew noun תְּרוּעָה (tᵉrûwʻâh) primarily denotes a loud, piercing sound, often with a ceremonial or military purpose. Its most prominent sense is the blast of a trumpet or shofar, used to signal sacred assemblies, the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:9), or as an alarm for war (Numbers 10:5-6). It also signifies a collective shout of acclamation, whether in joyful worship (Psalm 47:5) or as a triumphant battle-cry, as seen when the Israelites marched around Jericho (Joshua 6:5, 20). In a more abstract sense, it can represent the joyful sound of celebration itself, as in the 'shout of a king' (Numbers 23:21).
Biblical Usage
תְּרוּעָה is used 33 times across the Pentateuch, Historical Books, and Psalms. In Leviticus and Numbers, it is almost exclusively tied to the ritual blowing of trumpets for feasts (Leviticus 23:24, Numbers 29:1) and the Jubilee. In military contexts, it signals attack or alarm (Numbers 10:9, 31:6). The Psalms employ it for the joyful noise of praise to God (Psalm 89:15). A key pattern is its association with divine proclamation and intervention, whether in worship, calendar observance, or warfare.
Etymology
Derived from the root רוּעַ (rûaʿ, H7321), meaning 'to shout' or 'to raise a sound.' This root conveys actions like crying out, shouting for joy, or sounding an alarm. תְּרוּעָה is the noun form, focusing on the sound or event produced by the shouting. Cognates in related Semitic languages carry similar meanings of shouting or noise.
Semantic Range
This word is theologically significant as it bridges the concepts of sacred time, divine kingship, and holy war. The תְּרוּעָה of the trumpets marks God's appointed times (mo'edim), sanctifying the calendar and reminding Israel of His sovereignty. The 'shout of a king' (Numbers 23:21) points to God as Israel's warrior-king. In the conquest narratives, the תְּרוּעָה is not merely a human noise but the appointed signal for God to act, as at Jericho, where the shout brings down the walls. Understanding this term enriches the reading of prophetic texts about the Day of the Lord, often depicted with trumpet blasts (Joel 2:1, Zephaniah 1:16).
In ancient Israel, the תְּרוּעָה was not a casual noise but a formal, public signal with specific functions. The trumpet (shofar or hatzotzerah) blast was a recognized technology for long-distance communication, used by priests and leaders to convene the community, announce festivals, or mobilize the army. The collective shout in battle was a psychological weapon and an act of faith, invoking God's presence. The modern concept of a 'joyful noise' can lose this sense of official, powerful proclamation that alters a situation.
שׁוֹפָר (shôphar, H7782) — the actual ram's horn instrument that often produces the תְּרוּעָה sound. קוֹל (qôl, H6963) — a more general term for 'voice' or 'sound,' which can include a תְּרוּעָה but is broader. תְּקִיעָה (tᵉqîʻâh, H8629) — a specific trumpet blast (a 'blowing'), sometimes contrasted with תְּרוּעָה as a different signal.
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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