קָהָל

From the study of Psalm 22:25

Range of meaning

An assembly or gathering called together: for war, for law and judgment, and especially the assembled people of Israel before God (e.g., 'the day of the assembly' at Sinai, Deut 9:10; 18:16). Can describe a large crowd.

Against the English

KJV "congregation"; BSB/WEB "assembly." "Congregation" today calls up a local church's regular members. Qahal here is the people of Israel gathered at the sanctuary, most naturally a pilgrimage-festival crowd.

How it drifted

Through Greek ekklēsia (the Septuagint's usual rendering of qahal) and then church usage, the word became tied to the Christian church. That use is later.

Used elsewhere in the period

Septuagint renders it here en ekklēsia megalē, "in a great assembly." Hebrews 2:12 quotes the parallel line, Ps 22:22, with ekklēsia. Ps 35:18 and 40:9–10 use the same phrase 'great assembly' for public thanksgiving.

From the study of Ezekiel 27:34

Range of meaning

An assembled crowd or gathering: a convened assembly of Israel (often for worship or judgment), a military host (Ezek 17:17; 38:4), or simply a large company of people. The Septuagint usually translates it with synagōgē or ekklēsia.

Against the English

KJV and WEB use "company," YLT "assembly," and BSB "the people among you"; some modern versions use "crew."

How it drifted

In 1611 "company" meant a band of people gathered together. Today, especially next to "merchandise," readers easily hear a commercial firm.

Used elsewhere in the period

Ezekiel 27:27 has nearly the same line: "and all your company that is in your midst will sink into the heart of the seas." The list there includes sailors, pilots, caulkers, traders and warriors.

From the study of 1 Samuel 17:47

Range of meaning

An assembly or gathered company; a crowd called together for a purpose: worship, covenant-making, judgment, or war. 'The qahal of YHWH' (Deut 23:1–8) is Israel as a covenant body. The word can also describe a mass of armies or nations (Ezek 38:4, 15).

Against the English

'Assembly' (KJV, WEB, YLT) keeps the word's formal weight. 'Those assembled here' (BSB) and 'all those gathered here' style renderings are accurate but make it sound like a casual crowd.

How it drifted

The Greek Old Testament usually translated qahal as ekklēsia, the word later rendered 'church'. Readers who know this can wrongly hear a congregation in this verse; here it is an army on the field.

Used elsewhere in the period

Judg 20:2 'the assembly of the people of God' gathered for war; 1 Kgs 8:14 the assembly at the temple dedication; Num 22:4 the Moabites call Israel's host a qahal. The Septuagint renders this verse with ekklēsia.