from קָרָא; something called out, i.e. a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal; assembly, calling, convocation, reading.
Transliteration:miqrâʼ
Pronunciation:mik-raw'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H4744 (מִקְרָא, *miqrâʼ*) is derived from the verbal root `{{H7121}}` (קָרָא, *qārāʼ*), which fundamentally means "to call, summon, proclaim, or read." Building upon this root, miqrâʼ denotes "something called out" or "a calling." Its semantic range extends to encompass:
1. **A Public Meeting or Assembly:** This is the most prevalent meaning, referring to a gathering that has been formally summoned or appointed. It can denote the act of calling, the persons gathered, or even the designated place for such a meeting.
2. **A Convocation:** Particularly in the context of sacred days, miqrâʼ signifies a "holy convocation," an assembly specifically called by God for worship, instruction, or communal observance.
3. **A Reading or Proclamation:** While less common for H4744 itself, the underlying root `{{H7121}}` directly supports the idea of "proclaiming" or "reading aloud," implying that what is "called out" might also be a text or message. However, in the Old Testament, miqrâʼ almost exclusively refers to the summoned assembly.
The core essence of miqrâʼ lies in its emphasis on divine initiative; these are not arbitrary gatherings but assemblies that are divinely appointed and commanded.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H4744 appears frequently in the Pentateuch, especially in Leviticus and Numbers, primarily in the context of Israel's sacred calendar and liturgical life. Its most prominent usage is in designating the "holy convocations" (*miqrāʼê qōdeš*) associated with the Sabbath and the annual feasts.
* **The Sabbath:** [[Leviticus 23:3]] explicitly states that the seventh day is "a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation." This establishes the Sabbath as a divinely appointed gathering for rest and worship.
* **The Feasts of Yahweh:** A significant portion of [[Leviticus 23]] details the various annual festivals, each designated as a "holy convocation":
* **Passover and Unleavened Bread:** [[Exodus 12:16]], [[Leviticus 23:7-8]] mark the first and seventh days as holy convocations.
* **Feast of Weeks (Pentecost):** [[Leviticus 23:21]] mandates a holy convocation on the fiftieth day.
* **Feast of Trumpets:** [[Leviticus 23:24]] describes the first day of the seventh month as a holy convocation.
* **Day of Atonement:** [[Leviticus 23:27]] designates this solemn day as the most sacred convocation, requiring fasting and affliction.
* **Feast of Booths (Tabernacles):** [[Leviticus 23:35-36]] specifies holy convocations on the first and eighth days.
* **General Assembly:** Beyond the specific feasts, miqrâʼ can refer to a general assembly that is formally called, as seen in [[Numbers 10:2]], where trumpets are to be blown "for the convocation of the assembly" and "for the breaking of camp." This demonstrates its use for both sacred and practical, though still formally summoned, gatherings.
The consistent use of miqrâʼ across these contexts underscores the divine mandate for Israel to gather at specific times for specific purposes, reinforcing their communal identity and relationship with God.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding H4744 is enhanced by examining its relationship to other key Hebrew terms:
* **Root `{{H7121}}` (קָרָא, *qārāʼ*):** This is the foundational verb "to call, summon, proclaim, read." The noun miqrâʼ is a direct derivative, emphasizing the *result* or *object* of calling. The divine "calling" of Israel is fundamental to its existence as a covenant people.
* **`{{H6951}}` (קָהָל, *qāhāl*):** Meaning "assembly, congregation," this term often refers to the body of people gathered. While miqrâʼ emphasizes the *act of calling* or the *appointed nature* of the gathering, qāhāl highlights the *collective body* itself. They are frequently used together, as in [[Numbers 10:2]] ("convocation of the assembly").
* **`{{H5712}}` (עֵדָה, *‘ēdāh*):** Also meaning "congregation" or "multitude," ‘ēdāh often refers to the community of Israel as a whole, particularly in a legal or social sense. Like qāhāl, it focuses on the people, whereas miqrâʼ focuses on the divine summons.
* **`{{H4186}}` (מוֹעֵד, *môʿēd*):** This word signifies "appointed time, appointed place, meeting." The feasts are often referred to as môʿădîm (appointed times), and they are also miqrāʼîm (convocations). There is a significant overlap, as miqrâʼ often occurs at a môʿēd, highlighting the divinely ordained nature of both the time and the gathering.
These related terms collectively paint a picture of a divinely ordered community that gathers at God's command for sacred purposes, underscoring the structured and covenantal nature of Israel's worship.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of H4744 (מִקְרָא, *miqrâʼ*) is profound and multifaceted:
1. **Divine Initiative and Sovereignty:** The term fundamentally underscores that these assemblies are not humanly conceived gatherings but are divinely commanded and initiated. God Himself "calls out" His people to meet with Him, demonstrating His sovereignty over time, space, and human activity. This highlights that worship is a response to God's prior call.
2. **Sanctity of Time and Place:** By designating specific days (Sabbath, feast days) as "holy convocations," miqrâʼ imbues these times with sacred significance. They are set apart from ordinary time for special encounter with the Divine. While the term itself doesn't explicitly refer to a place, the context of the Tabernacle/Temple implies a sacred space where these convocations would occur.
3. **Covenant Relationship and Identity:** The convocations are integral to Israel's covenant with Yahweh. They serve as opportunities for the nation to remember God's mighty acts (e.g., the Exodus at Passover), to atone for sin (Day of Atonement), to express gratitude, and to receive divine instruction. Participating in these miqrāʼîm reinforces Israel's identity as a people "called out" by God, distinct from other nations, bound by covenant.
4. **Communal Worship and Unity:** miqrâʼ emphasizes the corporate nature of Israelite worship. It is not merely individual piety but a collective response to God's call. These gatherings fostered a sense of unity, shared purpose, and communal responsibility before God, strengthening the bonds within the covenant community.
5. **Anticipation of God's Kingdom:** The concept of a divinely summoned assembly points forward to the ultimate gathering of God's people in the eschatological age. The New Testament church, as the *ekklesia* (Greek for "called out ones"), can be seen as a spiritual continuation of this concept, a people called by God's grace for His purposes.
### Summary
H4744 (מִקְרָא, *miqrâʼ*) is a foundational Hebrew term signifying a "called out" assembly or convocation. Derived from the root `{{H7121}}` ("to call"), it primarily refers to gatherings that are divinely appointed and sacred. Its most prominent usage in the Old Testament is in designating the "holy convocations" associated with the Sabbath and the annual feasts of Israel, as detailed extensively in Leviticus and Numbers.
Theologically, miqrâʼ profoundly underscores God's initiative and sovereignty in summoning His people for worship and instruction. It highlights the sanctity of appointed times, reinforcing Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh and fostering communal worship and identity. The term is crucial for understanding the structured liturgical life of ancient Israel and their unique status as a people divinely "called out" to be in relationship with their Creator.
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