feast of trumpets / Yom Teruah

The Feast of Trumpets is first mentioned in Leviticus 23:23–25 (CSB):

Leviticus 23:23–25 (CSB)
“The Lord spoke to Moses: ‘Tell the Israelites: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you are to have a day of complete rest, commemoration and trumpet blasts—a sacred assembly. You must not do any daily work, but you must present a food offering to the Lord.’”

This is the first clear command regarding this feast, also known in Hebrew as Yom Teruah ("Day of Blasting/Shouting").

 Biblical Instructions (CSB):

• Date: First day of the seventh month (Tishrei).
• Commemoration: A memorial with trumpet blasts.
• Sacred assembly: A gathering for worship.
• Complete rest: No ordinary or regular work.
• Food offering: An offering made by fire to the LORD.
   

Additional Reference:

Numbers 29:1 (CSB)
“You are to hold a sacred assembly on the first day of the seventh month and not do any daily work. This will be a day of trumpet blasts for you.”
 

Application Today:

For Christians, direct observance may vary. However, applications could include:

• Spiritual reflection and worship: Using the day to reflect on God’s sovereignty and prepare the heart.
• Trumpet symbolism: The trumpet (shofar) often represents warning, repentance, or divine announcement—parallels can be drawn to preparing for Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
• Rest and dedication: Taking time for spiritual rest and dedicating oneself anew to God.

Leviticus 23:24 (CSB)
“In the seventh month, on the first day of the month...”
 

So, it is observed on the 1st day of the 7th month (Tishrei) on the Hebrew calendar, which usually falls in September or early October on the Gregorian calendar.

 A. Who made these changes?

Most changes stemmed from the early church's separation from Jewish customs, especially as Christianity spread into Gentile (non-Jewish) regions. Key figures and groups involved in these shifts include:

• Emperor Constantine (4th century AD): Council of Nicaea (AD 325) sought to separate Christian observances from Jewish ones.
• Roman Catholic Church: Established a liturgical calendar that did not include biblical feasts like Trumpets.
• Church Fathers: Some viewed Jewish feasts as obsolete under the New Covenant.
   

B. Does the Bible indicate that God changed the Feast of Trumpets?

No, the Bible does not say that God abolished or changed the Feast of Trumpets.

Matthew 5:17–18 (CSB)
“Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished.”

 Old Testament – Command and Meaning

• Leviticus 23:23–25
  “The Lord said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites: On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Do no regular work, but present a food offering to the Lord.’ 
• Numbers 29:1
  “On the first day of the seventh month hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. It is a day for you to sound the trumpets.”
• Psalm 81:3
  “Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon, at the full moon, on our solemn feast day.”
   

New Testament – Prophetic Fulfillment

• 1 Thessalonians 4:16
  “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first."
• 1 Corinthians 15:52
  “In a flash, 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.”
• Matthew 24:31
  “And he will send 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.”
• Revelation 11:15
  “The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: ‘The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.’”