John Calvin Commentary Leviticus 23:24

"Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest unto you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation." — Leviticus 23:24 (ASV)

In the seventh month, in the first day of the month. I wonder how it ever entered the minds of the Jews³⁴⁹ that the Feast of Trumpets commemorated the deliverance of Isaac, when a goat was substituted to be slain in his place;³⁵⁰ but they have invented this with their characteristic audacity. Surely, it is as baseless as it is unreasonable.

Others more rightly suppose that it was a preparation for the approaching Feast of Atonement, due to the short interval of time. Since this day is distinguished by no peculiar mark, it is probable that it should not be separated from the other which follows soon afterward, namely, on the tenth day.

Unless, perhaps, it is more probable that they were thus assembled once a year by the sound of trumpets: first, so that they might learn that all their sacred assemblies were appointed by the voice of God; and secondly, so that His voice was thus renewed, ensuring they would always be ready to obey Him. The expression, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, seems to signify this: as if God had said that the trumpets sounded in their ears once a year so that they might be attentive to God’s voice throughout their lives, and always willing to follow wherever He should command them to go.

Others think that the trumpets sounded at the beginning of the month so that they might prepare themselves for the three festivals, and also because this month was significant in both the Sabbatical year and in the Jubilee. But what if, when God moved this month from being the beginning of the year to the seventh position, He chose to leave it some traces of its original dignity? For it is widely accepted that, until the people came out of Egypt, this was the first month. Some even think that the world was created in this month, which is not without some plausible basis. And even now, in political matters and in things related to this earthly life, the Jews retain this original computation according to unbroken custom; it is only in sacred matters that they begin the year in March.

This indeed seems to me the probable reason why, on the day just mentioned, God renewed the memory of His dominion by a solemn proclamation and assigned this seventh month to both the Jubilee and the Sabbatical year.³⁵¹ The solemnity was completed in one day, differing very little from an ordinary Sabbath, except for the trumpet-blowing and the sacrifice, as is described in Numbers 29. For Moses provides more details there than he does here; he there enumerates a calf, a ram, seven lambs, a goat for a sin offering, with its accompanying offerings, besides the burnt offering of the new moon, and commands an offering to be made by fire of them all. Here, he speaks generally, in a single word.

³⁴⁹ “The Hebrews and Latins hold that the feast of trumpets was instituted in memory of the patriarch Isaac having been delivered from the sword of his father, and of the ram supplied in his place, (Genesis 22:11,) and thence that they used to blow rams’ horns on that day, etc. Moreover, the Hebrews report that on this very day, ,) and thence that they used to blow rams’ horns on that day, etc. Moreover, the Hebrews report that on this very day, i.e., the first of the seventh month, Isaac was delivered from slaughter. This blowing of trumpets was therefore a memorial of Isaac’s deliverance, and also a silent prayer that God would remember them, and as He had delivered Isaac, would also deliver his posterity from peril of death.” — Corn. a Lapide, the first of the seventh month, Isaac was delivered from slaughter. This blowing of trumpets was therefore a memorial of Isaac’s deliverance, and also a silent prayer that God would remember them, and as He had delivered Isaac, would also deliver his posterity from peril of death.” — Corn. a Lapide, in loco; see also R. Salomon Jarchi, see also R. Salomon Jarchi, in loco.

³⁵⁰ “Se trouva miraculeusement;” was found miraculously. — ;” was found miraculously. — Fr.

³⁵¹ Add., “Outre les trois festes dont il sera parle consequemment;” besides the three festivals which will be spoken of. — ;” besides the three festivals which will be spoken of. — Fr.