shophar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, religious, historical
Quick answer
What does “shophar” mean?
A ram's-horn trumpet used in ancient Jewish religious ceremonies and still blown on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A ram's-horn trumpet used in ancient Jewish religious ceremonies and still blown on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
A ceremonial instrument symbolizing call to worship, repentance, and divine communication in Jewish tradition; sometimes used metaphorically to denote a clarion call or awakening.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; spelling 'shofar' is more common in both varieties, but 'shophar' is an accepted variant.
Connotations
Identical religious and historical connotations in both regions.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both British and American English; primarily encountered in religious, academic, or cultural discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “shophar” in a Sentence
The shophar is blown (by the cantor)They sounded the shopharA shophar call echoedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shophar” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The cantor will shophar at dawn.
- They shophared throughout the service.
American English
- The rabbi shophared to begin the holiday.
- We heard him shophar from the synagogue.
adjective
British English
- The shophar sound was haunting.
- A shophar ceremony took place.
American English
- The shophar blast echoed.
- He studied shophar traditions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in religious studies, history, and ethnomusicology contexts.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Specific to descriptions of Jewish liturgy, religious artifacts, or historical instruments.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shophar”
- Misspelling as 'shofar' (more common) or 'shophar' (variant); incorrect plural 'shophars' (standard plural is 'shopharot' or 'shophars').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'shophar' is a less common variant spelling of 'shofar'. Both refer to the same ritual horn.
Primarily during the Jewish High Holy Days, specifically Rosh Hashanah and at the conclusion of Yom Kippur.
Typically, a trained person (often the cantor or a designated member) blows the shophar during religious services, as specific notes and sequences are required.
Yes, the shofar (shophar) is mentioned numerous times in the Hebrew Bible, notably at the revelation at Mount Sinai and in the story of the walls of Jericho.
A ram's-horn trumpet used in ancient Jewish religious ceremonies and still blown on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Shophar is usually formal, religious, historical in register.
Shophar: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃəʊfɑː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃoʊfɑːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a shophar call to action”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'SHOp' + 'HAR' – you might SHOP for a HARp, but a shophar is a horn.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIVINE COMMUNICATION IS A BLAST FROM A SHOPHAR; SPIRITUAL AWAKENING IS THE SOUNDING OF A HORN.
Practice
Quiz
What is a shophar primarily made from?