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Assembly

Culture & Society

What is the meaning of Assembly in the Bible?

An assembly is a convened gathering of people summoned by a leader or herald for civic or religious purposes. Within the Hebrew Bible, solemn assemblies designate sacred convocations, including appointed feasts and festivals, which served as pivotal occasions for reinforcing communal identity and renewing the covenant.

SIGNIFICANCE

Recognizing the role of assemblies illuminates the integration of religious observance and civic duty in ancient Israel, demonstrating how the community collectively responded to divine instruction through organized gatherings and how these events functioned to sustain social cohesion and spiritual commitment.

Bible Study Quick-Reference Guide

Ancient Cultural Lens: Avoid applying 21st-century Western assumptions to Assembly. Examine how first-century or Near Eastern listeners understood this practice within their daily social dynamics.
Bible Study Reflection Prompts:
  • Why did the biblical author mention Assembly in this passage?
  • What cultural or historical assumption does Assembly clarify?

Source Attribution

Built upon the 1915 International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897). Entries have been modernized, checked for academic truthfulness, and shortened for clarity.

How to Cite This Entry

"Assembly." Ancient Context Dictionary. Accessed 2026. https://ancientcontext.com/context/assembly/
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