Numbers 29:1
And in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work: it is a day of blowing the trumpets unto you.
Original Language Analysis
בְּאֶחָ֣ד
on the first
H259
בְּאֶחָ֣ד
on the first
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
3 of 17
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
מִֽקְרָא
convocation
H4744
מִֽקְרָא
convocation
Strong's:
H4744
Word #:
5 of 17
something called out, i.e., a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal
קֹ֙דֶשׁ֙
ye shall have an holy
H6944
קֹ֙דֶשׁ֙
ye shall have an holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
6 of 17
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֣ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 17
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְלֶ֥אכֶת
work
H4399
מְלֶ֥אכֶת
work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
12 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַֽעֲשׂ֑וּ
ye shall do
H6213
תַֽעֲשׂ֑וּ
ye shall do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
13 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
י֥וֹם
it is a day
H3117
י֥וֹם
it is a day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
14 of 17
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
תְּרוּעָ֖ה
of blowing
H8643
תְּרוּעָ֖ה
of blowing
Strong's:
H8643
Word #:
15 of 17
clamor, i.e., acclamation of joy or a battle-cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum
Cross References
Isaiah 27:13And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.Psalms 89:15Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.1 Chronicles 15:28Thus all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the LORD with shouting, and with sound of the cornet, and with trumpets, and with cymbals, making a noise with psalteries and harps.Zechariah 9:14And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.Ezra 3:6From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid.
Historical Context
Celebrated at the beginning of Israel's civil new year (while Nisan was the religious new year), this feast prepared hearts for the Day of Atonement. The trumpet blasts used ram's horns (shofar), recalling Abraham's sacrifice of the ram in Isaac's place (Gen 22:13). Post-exilic tradition developed this into Rosh Hashanah, a time of judgment when God opens the books of life and death, pointing to final judgment (Rev 20:12).
Questions for Reflection
- How does the trumpet blast of God's Word awaken you from spiritual slumber?
- Are you living in light of Christ's trumpet-announced return, or are you caught up in temporal concerns?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) marked the seventh month with trumpet blasts and a holy convocation. The Hebrew 'teruah' means loud blasts or shouts, awakening Israel to solemn reflection before the Day of Atonement (ten days later). Trumpets announced God's kingship, called assembly, and warned of judgment. This feast foreshadows Christ's return when 'the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised' (1 Cor 15:52). The seventh month's significance parallels the Sabbath principle - completion and consecration. Paul connects this to watchfulness: 'Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light' (Eph 5:14).