8629. teqa
Lexical Summary
teqa: sound

Original Word: תֵּקַע
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: teqa`
Pronunciation: teh-KAH
Phonetic Spelling: (tay-kah')
KJV: sound
NASB: sound
Word Origin: [from H8628 (תָּקַע - blow)]

1. a blast of a trumpet

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
sound

From taqa'; a blast of a trumpet -- sound.

see HEBREW taqa'

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from taqa
Definition
blast (of a horn)
NASB Translation
sound (1).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
תֵּ֫קַע noun [masculine] blast of horn; — construct שׁוֺפָר ׳בְּת Psalm 150:3 with horn-blast.

Topical Lexicon
Overview

The noun תֵּקַע depicts the sharp, jubilant blast of a trumpet or ram’s horn that pierces the air in acts of praise, proclamation, or summons. In its single biblical occurrence (Psalm 150:3) the term epitomizes the climactic crescendo of worship that closes the Psalter, gathering all creation to glorify the Lord with every available instrument, breath, and voice.

Occurrence in Scripture

Psalm 150:3: “Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre”.

Although the exact noun appears only here, the concept of trumpet blasts reverberates across Scripture, forming a rich backdrop that gives Psalm 150:3 its depth and resonance.

Historical and Cultural Background

1. Materials and Types. Ancient Israel distinguished between the curved ram’s horn (shofar) and the straight silver trumpet (ḥaṣoṣrah). Both produced arresting blasts, yet differed in construction, tone, and liturgical assignment (Numbers 10:1–10).
2. Civil and Military Life. Trumpet calls regulated camp movements (Numbers 10:5–6), announced enthronements (1 Kings 1:39), warned of enemy approach (Jeremiah 4:5), and rallied workers on Jerusalem’s wall (Nehemiah 4:18–20).
3. Sacred Calendar. Trumpet blasts sanctified the giving of the Law at Sinai (Exodus 19:16, 19), ushered in the Day of Atonement and the Year of Jubilee (Leviticus 25:9), and marked the Feast of Trumpets itself (Leviticus 23:24). By New Testament times, the shofar blast remained a centerpiece of synagogue worship and festal observance.

Role in Old Covenant Worship

Psalm 150 lists a sequence of instruments moving outward from the temple’s inner courts to the open world. The trumpet blast heads the list, signaling that worship must begin with a clear, unmistakable call to acknowledge Yahweh’s kingship. The sound cut through the noise of daily life, summoning priests, Levites, and people to unified praise. In later liturgical practice the shofar announced Sabbath and festival beginnings, its penetrating tone reminding Israel of covenant obligations and privileges.

Symbolism and Theological Themes

1. Divine Kingship. Trumpet blasts herald a sovereign’s arrival. By placing the blast at the forefront of praise, Psalm 150 proclaims the Lord’s rule over history and creation (Psalm 47:5–8).
2. Revelation and Covenant. At Sinai the shofar accompanied thunder, lightning, and smoke when God descended to deliver the Law. The blast thus signifies divine revelation that demands covenant loyalty.
3. Victory and Deliverance. Trumpets preceded the collapse of Jericho’s walls (Joshua 6:4–5) and accompanied royal processions under Davidic kings, foreshadowing Messiah’s triumph (Zechariah 9:14).
4. Eschatological Hope. Prophets connected trumpet blasts with the Day of the Lord and the ingathering of exiles (Isaiah 27:13; Joel 2:1). The New Testament echoes this hope: “For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed” (1 Corinthians 15:52).

Connections to Messianic Fulfillment

The final trumpet of 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17 and Revelation 11:15 gathers believers to the risen Christ, completing the trajectory that begins with the seminal blast of Psalm 150:3. The same piercing note that called ancient Israel to worship will one day announce the consummation of redemption, uniting Old and New Covenants in perfect harmony.

Implications for Contemporary Worship and Ministry

1. Call to Gather. Services often open with a musical prelude that functions like a trumpet blast, focusing minds on the Lord.
2. Holistic Praise. Psalm 150’s instrument list encourages the church to employ every God-given gift—vocal, instrumental, artistic—to magnify Him.
3. Expectant Hope. Incorporating trumpet imagery in preaching and song keeps eschatological anticipation alive, reminding congregations that present praise is rehearsal for eternal celebration.
4. Moral Alertness. Just as ancient blasts warned of approaching armies, the trumpet motif calls believers to spiritual vigilance (Matthew 24:31).

Related Biblical Imagery

Exodus 19:16–19 – trumpet at Sinai: revelation and fear.
Leviticus 25:9 – trumpet of Jubilee: liberation.
Numbers 10:1–10 – silver trumpets: guidance and warfare.
Isaiah 27:13; Joel 2:1 – eschatological summons.
Zechariah 9:14 – messianic victory.
1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16 – resurrection trumpet.
Revelation 8–11 – apocalyptic trumpets: judgment and kingdom proclamation.

Thus the solitary appearance of תֵּקַע in Psalm 150:3 resonates far beyond its single verse, encapsulating Scripture’s call to recognize God’s sovereignty, respond in joyful obedience, and look ahead to the final, triumphant blast that will usher in unending praise.

Forms and Transliterations
בְּתֵ֣קַע בתקע bə·ṯê·qa‘ beTeka bəṯêqa‘
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Psalm 150:3
HEB: הַֽ֭לְלוּהוּ בְּתֵ֣קַע שׁוֹפָ֑ר הַֽ֝לְל֗וּהוּ
NAS: Him with trumpet sound; Praise
KJV: Praise him with the sound of the trumpet:
INT: Praise sound trumpet Praise

1 Occurrence

Strong's Hebrew 8629
1 Occurrence


bə·ṯê·qa‘ — 1 Occ.

8628
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