עֲצָרָה (a.tsa.rah)
a.tsa.rah
assembly
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 10 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun a.tsa.rah refers to a formal gathering or solemn assembly, distinct from casual social meetups. In the Hebrew Bible, it describes a convened group called together for specific religious or civic purposes, such as fasting, prayer, or public reading of the Law. The word appears ten times in Scripture, with significant usage in Joel, Numbers, and Nehemiah.
Its meaning centers on the act of convening or the resulting body of people. For instance, in Nehemiah 8:18, it describes the Israelites assembling to hear Ezra read from the Book of the Law, highlighting its role in communal worship and instruction. Similarly, Joel uses the term to call for a sacred convocation, emphasizing the seriousness of the gathering.
This word underscores the importance of collective identity in ancient Israelite religion. It was not merely about being in one place, but about being united in purpose under God’s authority. Translators often render it as "assembly" or "solemn assembly," capturing both the physical gathering and its spiritual weight.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word atzarah points to a gathering with serious intent. It is not a casual meetup but a convened body united for a specific purpose under God’s authority. In ancient Israel, this meant setting aside regular work to focus entirely on spiritual matters, whether through fasting, prayer, or hearing the Law read aloud.
This concept invites us to consider how we gather today. When we come together as believers, it is not just about social connection but about shared purpose. Like the Israelites in Nehemiah 8 who assembled to hear Scripture, our meetings are opportunities for instruction and communal identity. It reminds us that faith is lived out in community, where we support one another in seeking God’s will.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 10 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- an assembly7×
- in/ assemblies/ your1×
- and/ solemn assembli[es]1×
- [is] a solemn assembly1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- עֲצֶ֖רֶת2×
- עֲצָרָֽה\׃1×
- עֲצָרָ֛ה1×
- עֲצָרָ֔ה1×
- עֲצָ֑רֶת1×
- עֲצֶ֣רֶת1×
- עֲצֶ֙רֶת֙1×
- וַ/עֲצָרָֽה\׃1×
- בְּ/עַצְּרֹֽתֵי/כֶֽם\׃1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 8:18
Also day by day, from the first day to the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. They kept the feast seven days; and on the eighth day was a solemn assembly, according to the ordinance.
This verse shows the word used for a gathering specifically dedicated to hearing and understanding the Book of the Law, highlighting its role in communal instruction.
-
Joel 1:14
Sanctify a fast. Call a solemn assembly. Gather the elders and all the inhabitants of the land to the house of Yahweh, your God, and cry to Yahweh.
Here the term is linked with fasting and crying out to God, emphasizing the solemnity and urgency of the convocation during a time of crisis.
-
Leviticus 23:36
Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh. On the eighth day shall be a holy convocation to you. You shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh. It is a solemn assembly; you shall do no regular work.
This occurrence defines the eighth day of Tabernacles as a holy convocation where no regular work is permitted, establishing it as a sacred pause in daily life.