קְהִלָּה (qe.hil.lah)
qe.hil.lah
assembly
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The Hebrew noun qehillah refers to an assembly or congregation of people. In the Old Testament, it appears in only two verses, both found in Nehemiah. These passages describe a gathering of the Israelites who come together to hear and understand the Law read by Ezra the scribe.
While often translated as "congregation," this word carries a sense of a specific, convened group rather than the entire nation as an abstract entity. It highlights the act of coming together for a purpose, such as listening to scripture or participating in communal worship. The term underscores the importance of gathered community in Israel's religious life.
Its limited usage makes it distinct from more common words for assembly like edah. By focusing on these specific instances in Nehemiah, we see qehillah emphasizing the attentive hearing of God's word within a united people. This reflects a key aspect of post-exilic Jewish identity, where communal study and obedience were central to their restored faith.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word qehillah describes a specific gathering of people for a shared purpose. It appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in Nehemiah. These passages show Israelites coming together to hear God's Law and address community issues. This word reminds us that faith is lived out in community, not in isolation.
When we gather with other believers, we are participating in a practice rooted in ancient tradition. The assembly in Nehemiah was not just a meeting; it was a moment of listening and responding to God's word. This invites us to value our own church gatherings as places where we learn, grow, and support one another.
May your time with other believers be filled with understanding and encouragement. As you listen to Scripture together, may you find strength in the unity of the body of Christ.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- an assembly1×
- [the] assembly of1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קְהִלָּ֥ה1×
- קְהִלַּ֥ת1×
Key Verses
-
Nehemiah 5:7
Then I consulted with myself, and contended with the nobles and the rulers, and said to them, “You exact usury, everyone of his brother.” I held a great assembly against them.
This verse shows the word used for a formal gathering called to address injustice among brothers, highlighting its role in communal accountability.