Bible Dictionary
Alarm
An alarm was a trumpet signal or shouted summons used to break camp, begin a journey, call Israel to battle, or express distress. Silver trumpets also gathered the people for worship.
Definition
An alarm was a signal expressed by shouting or blowing a horn. It could announce the breaking of camp, the beginning of a journey, preparation for battle, victory, or distress.
Biblical Usage
In Israel’s wilderness journey, a quivering sound from the silver trumpets summoned the people to move. The alarm also served as a war-note and could accompany calls to worship, feasts, new moons, sacrifices, and offerings.
Historical Background
Two silver trumpets of beaten work were sounded by the sons of Aaron. The law governing their use is set out in Numbers 10:1-10.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
A particular quivering sound of the silver trumpets to give warning to the Hebrews on their journey through the wilderness (Num. 10:5, 6), a call to arms, or a war-note (Jer. 4:19; 49:2; Zeph. 1:16).
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-larm' (teru`ah): This expression is found six times in the Old Testament. The Hebrew word so rendered is derived from a verb meaning "to shout" or "blow a horn," as a signal for breaking up camp, starting on a journey or into battle, or in triumphant shout over the defeat of enemies. In a few instances it is employed of a cry of despair or distress. The noun teru`ah translated "alarm" in Nu 10:5 f refers to the signal given the people of Israel to start on their journey in the Wilderness. The passages in Jer (4:19; 49:2) both refer to the summons for war. The same is true of Ze 1:16. The law concerning the sounding of the alarm is fully stated in Nu 10:1-10. Here we read that two silver trumpets of beaten work were sounded by the sons of Aaron in case of war and also "in the day of .... gladness" to gather the people together for the various feasts, new moons, sacrifices and offerings.</p><p>W. W. Davies</p>