Leviticus 23:24

KJV

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first [day] of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.

KJV (with Strong's)

Speak {H1696} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, saying {H559}, In the seventh {H7637} month {H2320}, in the first {H259} day of the month {H2320}, shall ye have a sabbath {H7677}, a memorial {H2146} of blowing {H8643} of trumpets, an holy {H6944} convocation {H4744}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Tell the people of Isra'el, 'In the seventh month, the first of the month is to be for you a day of complete rest for remembering, a holy convocation announced with blasts on the shofar.

Berean Standard Bible

“Speak to the Israelites and say, ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly announced by trumpet blasts.

American Standard Version

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest unto you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Leviticus 23:24 introduces the divine command for the Feast of Trumpets, later known in Jewish tradition as Rosh Hashanah, marking the start of the civil new year. This sacred observance, set for the first day of the seventh month, was designated as a special sabbath—a day of complete rest—and a "memorial of blowing of trumpets," signifying a solemn call to remembrance and a holy convocation for the children of Israel. It served as a crucial prelude to the most solemn days of the Israelite liturgical calendar, emphasizing divine appointment and communal spiritual focus.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Leviticus 23 meticulously outlines the seven annual "feasts of the Lord" (Hebrew: _mo'adim_), which are divinely appointed times for Israel to gather and worship. These feasts, beginning with the [Passover and Unleavened Bread](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Institution of Passover") in the first month and culminating with the [Feast of Tabernacles](/leviticus/23-34 "Leviticus 23:34 - The Feast of Tabernacles") in the seventh, form a prophetic calendar of God's redemptive plan. The Feast of Trumpets, detailed in [Leviticus 23:23-25](/leviticus/23-23 "Leviticus 23:23-25 - The Feast of Trumpets"), stands as a pivotal transition. It immediately precedes the solemn [Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)](/leviticus/23-27 "Leviticus 23:27 - The Day of Atonement") and the joyous [Feast of Tabernacles](/leviticus/23-34 "Leviticus 23:34 - The Feast of Tabernacles"), initiating a ten-day period of introspection and repentance known as the "Days of Awe" in Jewish tradition. Its placement at the beginning of the seventh month, a month laden with spiritual significance, highlights its role as a call to spiritual awakening and preparation for the upcoming holy days.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "seventh month" (Tishrei) in the Israelite calendar held unique significance, marking the end of the agricultural year and the beginning of the civil new year. While the religious new year began in Nisan (the first month, around Passover), the first day of Tishrei was observed as a time of new beginnings, particularly in later Jewish tradition as Rosh Hashanah. The blowing of trumpets (shofars) was a common practice in ancient Israel, used for various purposes: signaling alarm, calling to assembly, announcing war, celebrating victory, or marking solemn occasions, as seen in [Numbers 10:1-10](/numbers/10-1 "Numbers 10:1-10 - The Use of Trumpets for Assembly and War"). For the Feast of Trumpets, the sound of the _teru'ah_ (a loud, broken blast) was not merely a celebratory noise but a piercing sound intended to awaken, to call to remembrance, and to prepare the people for the solemnity of the approaching Day of Atonement. It served as a communal spiritual alarm clock, urging the Israelites to examine their hearts and draw near to God.

* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several major themes found throughout Leviticus and the broader Pentateuch. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Appointment and Holiness**, as God Himself ordains these specific times and practices, setting them apart as holy. The concept of **Remembrance** is central, with the trumpet blast serving as a _zikron_ (memorial) for both God to remember His covenant people and for Israel to remember God's faithfulness and their own need for obedience. This leads to the theme of **Repentance and Preparation**, as the Feast of Trumpets initiates a period of introspection culminating in the Day of Atonement, underscoring the necessity of a right standing before a holy God. Finally, the "holy convocation" emphasizes **Communal Worship and Unity**, highlighting that these observances were not individual acts but collective expressions of faith and obedience, bringing the community together before the Lord.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sabbath (Hebrew, _shabbâthôwn'_):** This term (H7677) denotes a "sabbatism" or "special holiday," signifying a day of complete cessation from ordinary labor, consecrated to God for rest and spiritual focus. Unlike the weekly Sabbath, this was an annual "sabbath" (or "rest day") specific to the Feast of Trumpets, emphasizing its profound sacredness and the requirement for the community to set aside all worldly pursuits to engage in divine worship and reflection. It underscores the idea that this day was not merely a festival but a holy appointment with God, a time for profound spiritual engagement.

* **Memorial (Hebrew, _zikrôwn'_):** This word (H2146) signifies "remembrance," "a calling to mind," or "a record." In the context of the Feast of Trumpets, it suggests a dual purpose: for God to remember His covenant with Israel and His promises, and for Israel to remember God's faithfulness, His commands, and their own need for repentance and reliance on Him. The act of blowing the trumpets served as a tangible and audible prompt for this vital act of remembrance, ensuring that the spiritual significance of the day was not forgotten and that the people were stirred to action.

* **Blowing of trumpets (Hebrew, _tᵉrûwʻâh'_):** This specific term (H8643) refers to a clamor, acclamation, or a loud, broken, or alarm-like blast, distinct from a continuous, steady note. It conveys a sense of urgency, excitement, or a call to attention. The _tᵉrûwʻâh_ sound was used in various contexts, including battle cries ([Joshua 6:5](/joshua/6-5 "Joshua 6:5 - The Shout at Jericho")), signals for assembly ([Numbers 10:5](/numbers/10-5 "Numbers 10:5 - The Alarm Blast for Moving Camp")), and expressions of joy or triumph ([Psalm 89:15](/psalms/89-15 "Psalm 89:15 - Blessed are those who know the joyful sound")). Here, it functions as a spiritual alarm, a call to introspection, repentance, and anticipation of divine activity, marking a solemn and significant moment in the liturgical year.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Speak unto the children of Israel, saying,"**: This opening phrase establishes the divine origin and authoritative nature of the command. It signifies that this is not a human invention or cultural tradition, but a direct instruction from God, delivered through Moses, intended for the entire community of Israel. This divine imperative underscores the mandatory and sacred character of the observance, highlighting God's direct involvement in the spiritual life of His people.

* **"In the seventh month, in the first [day] of the month,"**: This specifies the precise timing of the observance. The seventh month (Tishrei) was agriculturally significant, marking the ingathering of the harvest. While the first day of any month (Rosh Chodesh) was generally observed with special sacrifices, the first day of the seventh month was uniquely elevated to a high holy day, signaling a new beginning and a period of heightened spiritual awareness, setting it apart from other monthly observances.

* **"shall ye have a sabbath,"**: This phrase designates the day as a special day of rest, distinct from the weekly Sabbath yet sharing its principle of ceasing from all ordinary work. This cessation of labor was not merely for physical rest but to enable the entire community to dedicate themselves fully to spiritual matters, reflection, and communal worship, emphasizing the solemnity and sacredness of the occasion as a dedicated time for God.

* **"a memorial of blowing of trumpets,"**: This is the central identifying feature of the day. The Hebrew _zikron teru'ah_ points to a powerful, piercing trumpet blast (likely from a shofar) that served as a reminder or an alarm. It was meant to awaken the people spiritually, to call them to remembrance of God's covenant, their sin, and His impending judgment and salvation, setting a tone of solemn anticipation and prompting a communal turning towards God.

* **"an holy convocation."**: This term (Hebrew: _miqra kodesh_) signifies a sacred assembly, a divinely appointed gathering where the community was called together for worship, instruction, and communal participation in the sacred rituals. It emphasizes the communal aspect of the observance, bringing the people together in unity before God for a consecrated purpose, reinforcing their identity as God's chosen people.

#### Literary Devices
Leviticus 23:24 employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning and impact. The most prominent is **Command**, as the verse opens with "Speak unto the children of Israel, saying," directly conveying God's authoritative instruction through Moses. This imperative voice underscores the divine origin and mandatory nature of the Feast of Trumpets, establishing it as a non-negotiable aspect of Israel's covenant relationship with God. **Symbolism** is also central, particularly with the "blowing of trumpets." The trumpet blast (the _teru'ah_) is not merely a sound but a multi-layered symbol representing a call to attention, an alarm, a summons to assembly, a declaration of God's presence, and a harbinger of significant events. The "seventh month" and "sabbath" also carry symbolic weight, representing completion, divine rest, and sacred time set apart for God. Furthermore, the feast itself functions as **Anticipation** or **Foreshadowing**. Situated immediately before the Day of Atonement and Feast of Tabernacles, it serves as a prophetic pointer, not only to the solemn period of repentance but also, in a broader theological sense, to future divine interventions, including the ultimate ingathering and judgment, which many later traditions connect with the sound of a trumpet.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Feast of Trumpets, as commanded in Leviticus 23:24, profoundly emphasizes God's meticulous ordering of time and His desire for humanity to engage in intentional remembrance and spiritual awakening. It highlights the theme of divine appointment, where God initiates sacred encounters with His people, not as optional cultural events, but as essential components of their covenant relationship. The "memorial of blowing of trumpets" calls Israel to a collective introspection, a turning of the heart towards God in anticipation of the solemn Day of Atonement. It underscores the importance of communal worship and the setting apart of time for God's purposes, reminding believers that spiritual growth often begins with a clear call to attention and a renewed focus on divine truth. This feast, therefore, is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty over time and His persistent call for His people to remember His faithfulness and their obligations to Him.

* [Numbers 10:1-10](/numbers/10-1 "Numbers 10:1-10 - The Purpose and Use of Trumpets in Israel")
* [Psalm 81:3-4](/psalms/81-3 "Psalm 81:3-4 - Trumpets and the Feasts of the Lord")
* [Nehemiah 8:2-3](/nehemiah/8-2 "Nehemiah 8:2-3 - Ezra Reads the Law on the First Day of the Seventh Month")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Leviticus 23:24, though rooted in ancient Israelite practice, offers timeless principles for contemporary believers. The call to a "sabbath" and "holy convocation" reminds us of the critical need to intentionally set aside time for spiritual rest and communal worship in our often-frenzied lives. Just as the trumpet blast served as a "memorial" for Israel, we are called to actively remember God's faithfulness, His past works, and His enduring promises. This remembrance is not passive nostalgia but an active spiritual discipline that fuels gratitude and strengthens faith. The _teru'ah_ sound symbolizes a spiritual alarm, urging us to awaken from complacency, to examine our hearts, and to prepare ourselves for God's ongoing work in our lives and in the world. It invites us to live with a sense of urgency and anticipation, recognizing that God is continually calling us to deeper communion and greater faithfulness, preparing us for His future actions and our ultimate accountability.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How can we cultivate a spirit of intentional remembrance in our daily lives, actively recalling God's faithfulness and our spiritual heritage?**
* **In what ways does the "trumpet blast" of God's Word or the Holy Spirit call us to spiritual awakening and introspection today?**
* **How does setting aside dedicated time for spiritual rest and communal worship (our "sabbath" and "holy convocation") impact our relationship with God and others?**
* **What aspects of God's character or His redemptive plan are we being called to remember or anticipate more deeply in this season of our lives?**

### FAQ
**What is the modern Jewish observance of this feast?**

Answer: In modern Judaism, the Feast of Trumpets is known as Rosh Hashanah, meaning "Head of the Year." It marks the beginning of the Jewish New Year and is observed for two days. It is a time of solemn introspection, prayer, and repentance, initiating the "Days of Awe" (Yamim Noraim), a ten-day period culminating in Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). The central observance involves the blowing of the shofar (ram's horn) in the synagogue, which serves as a spiritual wake-up call, urging individuals to reflect on their deeds, seek forgiveness, and renew their commitment to God. It is a holiday focused on themes of creation, judgment, and the sovereignty of God, often accompanied by special prayers and symbolic foods.

**Why is the "seventh month" significant for this feast?**

Answer: The "seventh month" (Tishrei) held profound significance in the Israelite calendar. While the religious year began in Nisan (the first month, around Passover), Tishrei marked the end of the agricultural cycle and the beginning of the civil new year. This dual new year system highlighted different aspects of Israel's relationship with God—their redemption (Passover) and their dependence on His provision and judgment (harvest). Placing the Feast of Trumpets on the first day of the seventh month, immediately preceding the Day of Atonement, emphasized its role as a call to spiritual preparation and introspection. It signaled a time of transition, a fresh start, and a solemn period of accounting before God, setting the tone for the most sacred days of the year. The number seven itself often symbolizes completion, perfection, and divine rest in biblical numerology, further underscoring the spiritual weight of this particular month and its opening day.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Feast of Trumpets, with its themes of divine call, spiritual awakening, and solemn anticipation, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment. While the Old Testament feasts were shadows, Christ is the substance ([Colossians 2:16-17](/colossians/2-16 "Colossians 2:16-17 - Christ is the Substance of the Feasts")). The trumpet blast, a call to assembly and remembrance, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate divine summons. In His first coming, Jesus' ministry was a trumpet call to repentance and the inauguration of God's kingdom ([Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - Jesus' Proclamation of the Kingdom")). He called people to awaken to the reality of God's presence and their need for salvation. More significantly, the Feast of Trumpets points to the glorious return of Christ. New Testament passages frequently associate the Lord's second coming with the sound of a trumpet, signaling the resurrection of the dead and the gathering of His elect ([Matthew 24:31](/matthew/24-31 "Matthew 24:31 - The Trumpet Call at the Son of Man's Return"); [1 Corinthians 15:52](/1_corinthians/15-52 "1 Corinthians 15:52 - The Last Trumpet and Resurrection"); [1 Thessalonians 4:16](/1_thessalonians/4-16 "1 Thessalonians 4:16 - The Lord's Descent with a Trumpet Call")). Just as the ancient trumpet blast called Israel to prepare for the Day of Atonement, the prophetic "last trumpet" calls believers to live in expectant readiness for Christ's triumphant return, when He will fully establish His eternal reign ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Seventh Trumpet and Christ's Reign")). Thus, the Feast of Trumpets serves as a powerful reminder of God's sovereign plan, culminating in the ultimate revelation of His Son.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Corinthians 15:52

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Thessalonians 4:16

For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

Leviticus 25:9

Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubile to sound on the tenth [day] of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.

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.

Numbers 29:6

Beside the burnt offering of the month, and his meat offering, and the daily burnt offering, and his meat offering, and their drink offerings, according unto their manner, for a sweet savour, a sacrifice made by fire unto the LORD.

Numbers 10:9

And if ye go to war in your land against the enemy that oppresseth you, then ye shall blow an alarm with the trumpets; and ye shall be remembered before the LORD your God, and ye shall be saved from your enemies.

Numbers 10:10

Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I [am] the LORD your God.