Lexical Summary salpigx: Trumpet Original Word: σάλπιγξ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance trumpet. Perhaps from salos (through the idea of quavering or reverberation); a trumpet -- trump(-et). see GREEK salos HELPS Word-studies 4536 sálpigks – "properly, a war-trumpet" (WS, 797) that boldly announces God's victory (the vanquishing of His enemies). In the OT, trumpets were used to called God's people to war, and to announce victory wrought by Him. That is, a military clarion that proclaimed the Lord inspired and empowered the victory on behalf of His people. ["The trumpet was the signal employed to call the hosts of Israel to march as to war, and is common in prophetic imagery (Is 27:13). Cf. The seventh angel (Rev 11:15)" (WP, 1, 193). Trumpets in the OT summoned God's saints for His righteous wars (Nu 10:9; Jer 4:19; Joel 2:1). See also Lev 23:24,25; Nu 10:2-10; Ps 81:3.] NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom salpizó Definition a trumpet NASB Translation bugle (1), trumpet (8), trumpets (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4536: σάλπιγξσάλπιγξ, σάλπιγγος, ἡ, a trumpet: Matthew 24:31 (cf. Buttmann, 161 (141); 343 (295)); 1 Corinthians 14:8; Hebrews 12:19; Revelation 1:10; Revelation 4:1; Revelation 8:2, 6, 13; Revelation 9:14; ἐν σάλπιγγι Θεοῦ, a trumpet which sounds at God's command (Winer's Grammar, § 36, 3 b.), 1 Thessalonians 4:16; ἐν τῇ ἐσχάτῃ σάλπιγγι, the trumpet which will sound at the last day, 1 Corinthians 15:52 (4 (2) Esdr. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Greek 4536 refers to the trumpet, an instrument whose piercing call gathers, warns, or celebrates. In the New Testament it carries prophetic and eschatological weight, uniting earlier biblical symbolism with the climactic revelation of Jesus Christ. Eleven occurrences span the Gospels, Pauline epistles, Hebrews, and Revelation, each reinforcing the trumpet’s role as a divine signal. Old Testament background The Hebrew Scriptures distinguish between the ram’s horn (shofar) and the silver trumpets (chatsotserah). Both summoned Israel to worship (Numbers 10:10), signaled war (Numbers 10:9), proclaimed royal enthronements (2 Kings 9:13), and announced the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:9). This heritage shapes New Testament usage: the sound is never mere ceremony; it is God’s authoritative voice in audible form. Trumpet imagery in Second Temple Judaism and Greco-Roman culture During the intertestamental period, the trumpet maintained military and cultic functions. Jewish writings (e.g., Josephus, 1 Maccabees 4:40) speak of silver trumpets rallying forces and sanctifying feasts. Hellenistic armies likewise employed the salpinx to coordinate troops. Thus first-century hearers instinctively associated a trumpet blast with decisive action, public assembly, and royal presence. The ministry of Jesus Matthew 24:31 anticipates the consummation: “And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.” The trumpet here gathers dispersed saints, echoing Isaiah 27:13 and framing Christ as the true Deliverer who fulfills Israel’s hope. Pauline use and theology • Clarion clarity: “If the trumpet gives an uncertain sound, who will prepare for battle?” (1 Corinthians 14:8). Clear proclamation is vital in corporate worship. • Resurrection hope: “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52). • Advent assurance: “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). The trumpet heralds both resurrection and reunion. Paul thus weaves the instrument into his eschatology: the same God who once gathered Israel in the wilderness will finally gather His church into glory. Horeb and heavenly assembly Hebrews 12:19 recalls “the blast of a trumpet and a voice speaking words” at Sinai. The author contrasts that frightful scene with the joyful access believers now enjoy in the heavenly Zion (Hebrews 12:22-24). The trumpet blast underscores continuity between the covenants: God still speaks, yet through the mediating blood of Jesus. Trumpet motifs in Revelation • Voice of the exalted Christ: “I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet” (Revelation 1:10), a vivid reminder that His speech commands attention. • Entrance into the heavenly throne room: “The first voice I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, ‘Come up here’” (Revelation 4:1). • Judicial series: Seven angels receive seven trumpets (Revelation 8:2) and unleash judgments (8:6–13; 9:14). The escalating plagues parallel the Egyptian plagues, emphasizing God’s sovereignty and the urgency of repentance. The trumpet judgments widen the Exodus pattern to a global stage, proving that history moves toward the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. Doctrinal significance 1. Divine initiative: Every blast originates in heaven; human response is secondary. Practical and liturgical applications • Preaching must be as distinct as a trumpet, free of “uncertain sounds.” Christological focus and eschatological hope The trumpet draws all eyes to Jesus—His voice, His return, His reign. It signals that the kingdoms of this world will become “the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ” (Revelation 11:15). With every remembrance of the trumpet, the church looks forward, longing for the day when faith becomes sight and the final call resounds across creation. Forms and Transliterations σαλπιγγα σάλπιγγα σαλπιγγας σάλπιγγας σαλπιγγες σάλπιγγες σαλπιγγι σάλπιγγι σαλπιγγος σάλπιγγος σαλπίγγων σαλπιγξ σάλπιγξ σάλπιγξι σάλπιγξιν salpinga sálpinga salpingas sálpingas salpinges sálpinges salpingi sálpingi salpingos sálpingos salpinx sálpinxLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 24:31 N-GFSGRK: αὐτοῦ μετὰ σάλπιγγος μεγάλης καὶ NAS: with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER KJV: sound of a trumpet, and INT: of him with a trumpet call great and 1 Corinthians 14:8 N-NFS 1 Corinthians 15:52 N-DFS 1 Thessalonians 4:16 N-DFS Hebrews 12:19 N-GFS Revelation 1:10 N-GFS Revelation 4:1 N-GFS Revelation 8:2 N-NFP Revelation 8:6 N-AFP Revelation 8:13 N-GFS Revelation 9:14 N-AFS Strong's Greek 4536 |
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