### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H8629}}` (תֵּקַע, *têqaʻ*) is a noun derived from the verbal root `{{H8628}}` (תָּקַע, *tāqaʻ*), which signifies "to strike," "to clap," or specifically "to blow (a trumpet)." Consequently, `{{H8629}}` denotes the *sound* produced by such an action, most commonly a "blast of a trumpet." Its semantic range is quite focused, primarily referring to this distinct, often loud, and commanding sound. While its base definition allows for "sound" more generally, its usage strongly favors the specific context of a trumpet blast, a powerful and intentional auditory signal. It is not the instrument itself, but the audible manifestation of its being played.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term `{{H8629}}` is rare in the Hebrew Bible, appearing in only two distinct contexts.
1. **[[Ezekiel 7:14]]**: "They have blown the trumpet and made everything ready, but no one goes to battle, for my wrath is on all their multitude." Here, *têqaʻ* explicitly refers to the trumpet blast, a signal for military assembly and readiness for war. The context is one of impending divine judgment upon Israel. Despite the clear call to arms – the trumpet's sound being heard and preparations made – the people are paralyzed. The sound, which normally incites action, becomes a symbol of futility in the face of God's overwhelming wrath. The blast is heard, but the response is absent, underscoring the severity and inescapability of the divine decree.
2. **[[Job 39:7]]**: "He scorns the tumult of the city; no driver's shout does he hear." In this poetic description of the wild donkey, *têqaʻ* is rendered as a "shout" or "cry" of a driver or taskmaster. This usage extends the meaning beyond a literal trumpet blast to encompass any loud, commanding sound, particularly one associated with human control or urging. This demonstrates a broader application of "sound" as derived from the root `{{H8628}}`'s sense of striking or making a forceful impact, which can manifest as a loud human cry. However, the primary and most direct meaning remains tied to the trumpet.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most direct linguistic relative of `{{H8629}}` is its verbal root, `{{H8628}}` (תָּקַע, *tāqaʻ*), which describes the action of blowing a trumpet (e.g., [[Numbers 10:3]], [[Judges 3:27]]). The sound *têqaʻ* is the direct result of this action.
Other related terms and concepts include:
* **Trumpets:** The instruments themselves, such as the *shofar* (`{{H7782}}`, ram's horn) and the *chatzozerah* (`{{H2689}}`, silver trumpet), which produce the *têqaʻ*.
* **Sounds and Shouts:**
* `{{H6963}}` (קוֹל, *qol*): A general term for "voice" or "sound," encompassing a much wider range than *têqaʻ*.
* `{{H8643}}` (תְּרוּעָה, *teru'ah*): A "shout," "alarm," or "joyful noise," often produced by trumpets. While *têqaʻ* is the specific blast, *teru'ah* describes the *type* or *purpose* of the sound (e.g., a war cry, a shout of triumph, a call to assembly). The *têqaʻ* could contribute to a *teru'ah*.
* **Thematic Connections:** The concept of a trumpet blast is intrinsically linked to themes of war, alarm, assembly, divine warning, and judgment throughout the biblical narrative.
### Theological Significance
Though rare, the term `{{H8629}}` carries significant theological weight, primarily through its association with the trumpet blast.
1. **Divine Judgment and Warning**: The most prominent theological implication of *têqaʻ* comes from [[Ezekiel 7:14]]. Here, the trumpet blast, a conventional signal for war and self-defense, becomes a stark symbol of the futility of human efforts against divine judgment. The sound is heard, the call to arms is made, but God's wrath is so absolute that it renders all human preparation useless. The trumpet blast, therefore, serves as a poignant announcement of inescapable divine reckoning.
2. **Sovereignty of God**: In the Ezekiel passage, the blast highlights God's ultimate control over events. Even the most urgent human signals (like a war trumpet) are rendered impotent when God's decree is against a people. It underscores that true power resides with the Almighty, not with human armies or strategies.
3. **A Call to Attention**: While *têqaʻ* in Ezekiel signifies a call to battle that goes unanswered, the broader biblical context of trumpet blasts often serves as a divine call to attention, assembly, or action (e.g., for marching, worship, or warning). The sound is inherently one that demands a response, whether it be obedience or, as in Ezekiel, a chilling paralysis in the face of overwhelming judgment.
4. **Eschatological Echoes**: The sound of the trumpet is a recurring motif in biblical eschatology, particularly in the New Testament, where it signals the Day of the Lord, the resurrection, and the return of Christ ([[1 Thessalonians 4:16]], [[1 Corinthians 15:52]], [[Revelation 8:2]]). While these passages use Greek terms, the underlying Hebrew concept of a powerful, divine trumpet blast (of which *têqaʻ* is a specific instance) forms part of the rich tapestry of sounds associated with God's ultimate intervention in human history. The *têqaʻ* thus contributes to the biblical lexicon of sounds that herald divine presence, warning, and ultimate consummation.
### Summary
`{{H8629}}` (תֵּקַע, *têqaʻ*) is a Hebrew noun denoting a "blast of a trumpet" or, more broadly, a loud, distinct "sound." Derived from the verb "to blow" or "to strike," its primary and most significant biblical occurrence is in [[Ezekiel 7:14]], where it describes a trumpet blast signaling war, yet rendered ineffectual by divine wrath. This usage underscores God's absolute sovereignty and the inescapable nature of His judgment. While rare, its presence contributes to the rich biblical symbolism of trumpet sounds as heralds of divine warning, judgment, and the ultimate intervention of God in human affairs, echoing into eschatological expectations.
TRV