Symbols Of Rosh Hashanah: Shofar, Apples, And Repentance In The Light Of Yeshua, Our King

Meta Description:

Discover the powerful meanings behind the symbols of Rosh Hashanah—the shofar, apples with honey, and repentance (teshuvah)—through a Messianic lens. This biblically rich and emotionally stirring post unveils how these sacred symbols awaken the soul, crown Yeshua as King, and call us to return with sincerity. Explore Gospel and Old Testament truths in preparation for the High Holidays.

Symbols of Rosh Hashanah: Shofar, Apples, and Repentance in the Light of Yeshua, Our King

Rosh Hashanah, the Feast of Trumpets, is not just the head of the Jewish new year—it’s a divine summons for the soul. It marks a season when the heavens open and hearts are stirred. But to fully grasp the magnitude of this appointed time, we must understand the deep biblical symbols woven into its celebration: the shofar, apples with honey, and repentance (teshuvah).

For the Messianic believer, these symbols take on eternal, prophetic meaning. They speak of awakening, kingship, and a return to our first love—Yeshua the Messiah. As we explore each of these sacred signs, we’ll uncover scriptural foundations from the Old Testament (Tanakh) and the Gospels.

The Shofar: A Wake-Up Call, a War Cry, and a Coronation

“Blow the trumpet at the new moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.” – Psalm 81:3

At the heart of Rosh Hashanah is the shofar—an ancient ram’s horn whose piercing sound splits the silence of routine. It’s not merely a ritual; it’s a spiritual alarm clock.

🔔 1. Awakening the Soul

The sages teach that the shofar is a call to wake up from spiritual slumber. Yeshua echoed this message in His own ministry:

“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” – Matthew 4:17

Every blast of the shofar shouts this same call: Repent! Return! Reconnect! It penetrates the hardened heart, stirring us to examine our lives and realign with God's purpose.

🛡 2. A War Cry Against Darkness

The sound of the shofar has always been a signal of war and victory.

“When you go to war in your land against the enemy who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets.” – Numbers 10:9

The shofar of Rosh Hashanah reminds us that we are in a battle—not with flesh and blood, but with sin, compromise, and complacency. We are called to spiritual arms, clothed in truth and righteousness, ready to fight for holiness.

👑 3. Coronation of the King

Above all, the shofar announces the King.

“Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.” – Psalm 24:7

On Rosh Hashanah, we re-crown Yeshua as our King. Every note of the shofar is a declaration: He reigns. He is coming. Prepare the way!

Apples and Honey: A Sweet Prophetic Picture

At Rosh Hashanah meals, apples dipped in honey are more than tradition—they’re a prophetic act. Sweetness is not just wished for—it’s declared over the year to come.

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” – Psalm 34:8

🍎 1. Apples: Symbol of Intimacy and Healing

In Song of Songs, Israel says of her beloved:

“Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men.” – Song of Songs 2:3

In Jewish thought, apples represent love, healing, and intimacy with God. Eating apples reminds us of Eden, and the restoration we long for in Messiah.

Yeshua brought this healing:

“He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” – Luke 4:18, Isaiah 61:1

🍯 2. Honey: Hope for a New Beginning

“He will give you a land flowing with milk and honey—the most beautiful of all lands.” – Ezekiel 20:6

Honey signifies the sweetness of promise. Just as Israel hoped for the Promised Land, we too look forward to the sweet redemption in Messiah.

We dip the apple in honey to declare:
“May it be Your will, O God, to renew for us a good and sweet year.”

But that sweetness is more than symbolic—it is prophetic. In Yeshua, we declare that a new creation is dawning.

“Behold, I make all things new.” – Revelation 21:5 (Note: not Paul)

Repentance (Teshuvah): The Beating Heart of the High Holidays

Rosh Hashanah is not just festive. It is also sobering. It marks the beginning of the Ten Days of Awe, leading to Yom Kippur. This is a time for teshuvah—returning to God with our whole heart.

“Return to Me, and I will return to you,” says the LORD. – Malachi 3:7

Teshuvah is not just sorrow—it’s transformation. It’s about changing direction.

💔 1. Repentance in the Hebrew Scriptures

“If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven...” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

The call to repent was central to the prophets, and it remains central to Yeshua’s ministry.

✝️ 2. Repentance in the Gospels

Yeshua did not begin His ministry with miracles—but with a message:

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.” – Mark 1:15

Repentance isn’t just regret. It is a return to covenant, a response to the love of a Father who is waiting for His children to come home—like the prodigal son in Luke 15.

🕊 Why These Symbols Still Matter for Messianic Believers Today

Messianic Jews walk a beautiful path of restoration, honoring the Torah and the Prophets while clinging to the feet of our Messiah Yeshua. In this sacred season, these symbols are more than memory—they are living signs.

The shofar reminds us to awaken and welcome the King.
The apple and honey assure us of healing and a sweet future in Him.
The call to teshuvah calls us back to the heart of the Father.

Rosh Hashanah is not just about the past—it’s about preparing for what is coming. And what’s coming is glorious.

“Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And He will send His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect...” – Matthew 24:30-31

✨ Final Reflection

As we hear the shofar, taste the sweetness of honey, and fall to our knees in heartfelt repentance, let us remember: This is a rehearsal. A holy dress rehearsal for the return of our King.

Let the trumpet sound stir your soul.
Let the honey remind you that your story isn’t over.
Let repentance draw you back to the arms of your Savior.

This year, may Rosh Hashanah be more than tradition.
May it be transformation.

Shanah Tovah Umetukah – May you have a good and sweet year, sealed in the Book of Life through Yeshua the Messiah.

Kohathite

Thursday, July 31, 2025