Encyclopedia entry
Congregation
(Heb. kahal), the Hebrew people collectively as a holy community (Num. 15:15). Every circumcised Hebrew from twenty years old and upward was a member of the congregation. Strangers resident in the land, if circumcised, were, with certain exceptions (Ex. 12:19; Num. 9:14; Deut. 23:1-3), admitted to the privileges of citizenship, and spoken of as members of the congregation (Ex. 12:19; Num. 9:14; 15:15). The congregation were summonded together by the sound of two silver trumpets, and they met at the door of the tabernacle (Num. 10:3). These assemblies were convened for the purpose of engaging in solemn religious services (Ex. 12:27; Num. 25:6; Joel 2:15), or of receiving new commandments (Ex. 19:7, 8). The elders, who were summonded by the sound of one trumpet (Num. 10:4), represented on various occasions the whole congregation (Ex. 3:16; 12:21; 17:5; 24:1).
Read full account →↑
After the conquest of Canaan, the people were assembled only on occasions of the highest national importance (Judg. 20; 2 Chr. 30:5; 34:29; 1 Sam. 10:17; 2 Sam. 5:1-5; 1 Kings 12:20; 2 Kings 11:19; 21:24; 23:30). In subsequent times the congregation was represented by the Sanhedrim; and the name synagogue, applied in the Septuagint version exclusively to the congregation, came to be used to denote the places of worship established by the Jews. (See CHURCH.)
In Acts 13:43, where alone it occurs in the New Testament, it is the same word as that rendered “synagogue” (q.v.) in ver. 42, and is so rendered in ver. 43 in R.V.
Also from Smith's (1884) +−
This describes the Hebrew people in its collective capacity under its peculiar aspect as a holy community, held together by religious rather than political bonds. Sometimes it is used in a broad sense as inclusive of foreign settlers, (Exodus 12:19) but more properly as exclusively appropriate to the Hebrew element of the population. (Numbers 15:15) The congregation was governed by the father or head of each family and tribe. The number of these representatives being inconveniently large for ordinary business, a further selection was made by Moses of 70, who formed a species of standing committee. (Numbers 11:16) Occasionally indeed the whole body of people was assembled at the door of the tabernacle, hence usually called the tabernacle of the congregation. (Numbers 10:3) The people were strictly bound by the acts of their representatives, even in cases where they disapproved of them. (Joshua 9:18)
In the Bible
339
Verses where Congregation is named. Berean Standard Bible (public domain).
- 1 Chronicles 6:32
They ministered with song before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the house of the LORD in Jerusalem. And they performed their duties according to the regulations given them.
- 1 Chronicles 9:21
Zechariah son of Meshelemiah was the gatekeeper at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
- 1 Chronicles 13:2
And he said to the whole assembly of Israel, “If it seems good to you, and if this is of the LORD our God, let us send word far and wide to the rest of our brothers in all the land of Israel, and also to the priests and Levites in their cities and pasturelands, so that they may join us.
- 1 Chronicles 13:4
And because this proposal seemed right to all the people, the whole assembly agreed to it.
- 1 Chronicles 23:32
So the Levites were to carry out the responsibilities for the Tent of Meeting and the Holy Place, and, under their brothers the descendants of Aaron, the service of the house of the LORD.
- 1 Chronicles 28:8
So now in the sight of all Israel, the assembly of the LORD, and in the hearing of our God, keep and seek out all the commandments of the LORD your God, so that you may possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance to your descendants forever.
+333 more verses naming Congregation.
Scripture on Congregation
127
See all 127 +−
- Numbers 15Exodus 12Numbers 14Numbers 27Exodus 29Leviticus 16Numbers 8Numbers 312 Chronicles 30Leviticus 8Numbers 10Numbers 18Joshua 9Joshua 221 Kings 8Exodus 16Exodus 30Numbers 1Deuteronomy 23Exodus 35Leviticus 10Leviticus 17Numbers 3Judges 212 Chronicles 12 Chronicles 29Ezra 10Exodus 38Leviticus 1Leviticus 3Leviticus 6Leviticus 24Numbers 6Numbers 19Numbers 25Numbers 351 Kings 121 Chronicles 292 Chronicles 6Exodus 39Leviticus 9Leviticus 14Leviticus 15Leviticus 19Numbers 2Numbers 7Numbers 9Numbers 11Numbers 26Numbers 32Deuteronomy 31Joshua 20Judges 201 Chronicles 132 Chronicles 52 Chronicles 20Nehemiah 8Psalms 22Psalms 40Psalms 68Psalms 74Joel 2Acts 13Exodus 3Exodus 17Exodus 19Exodus 27Exodus 28Exodus 31Exodus 33Exodus 34Leviticus 12Numbers 12Numbers 13Numbers 17Deuteronomy 33Joshua 8Joshua 18Joshua 191 Samuel 21 Samuel 102 Samuel 52 Kings 111 Chronicles 61 Chronicles 91 Chronicles 231 Chronicles 282 Chronicles 72 Chronicles 232 Chronicles 242 Chronicles 282 Chronicles 31Ezra 2Nehemiah 5Nehemiah 7Nehemiah 13Job 15Job 30Psalms 1Psalms 7Psalms 26Psalms 35Psalms 58Psalms 75Psalms 82Psalms 89Psalms 107Psalms 111Psalms 149Proverbs 5Proverbs 21Proverbs 26Isaiah 14Jeremiah 6Jeremiah 30Lamentations 1Hosea 7Amos 1Micah 2Luke 1Acts 15Hebrews 12
Congregation references
10
See all 10 +−
Voices on Congregation
13
Surfaced by name match — accuracy varies by title clarity.
Sources · Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897) · Smith's Bible Dictionary (1884)
Public-domain text. Modernized only where archaic spelling impedes reading; original facts preserved. Verify against an authoritative modern reference before quoting.