English · KJV
H6116

עֲצָרָה

ʻătsârâh /ats-aw-raw'/ Ask about this word
Rootor עֲצֶרֶת · from עָצָר
Meaningan assembly, especially on afestival or holiday
KJV usage(solemn) assembly (meeting).

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of ʻătsârâh — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʻătsârâh, represented by H6116, refers to an assembly, especially a solemn one convened for a festival or holiday. It appears 11 times across 11 unique verses in the Bible, signifying a special, often concluding, gathering. The term carries the weight of a formal assembly, whether for sacred worship or for profane purposes.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In biblical law and narrative, H6116 is used to designate specific, appointed holy days. It is frequently the final day of a major feast, such as the solemn assembly on the seventh day of eating unleavened bread Deuteronomy 16:8 or the eighth day of a festival (Leviticus 23:36, Numbers 29:35). The prophets also use this term when calling the people to national repentance through a solemn assembly with fasting (Joel 1:14, Joel 2:15). However, the word can also describe gatherings abhorrent to God, such as an insincere solemn meeting which He considers iniquity Isaiah 1:13, a profane solemn assembly for Baal 2 Kings 10:20, or even an assembly of treacherous men Jeremiah 9:2.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help define the context and nature of these assemblies:

  • H2282 chag (feast): This word for a festival often precedes an ʻătsârâh, which can serve as the feast's conclusion. God's displeasure is shown when he despises both the feast days and the solemn assemblies Amos 5:21.
  • H6942 qâdash (sanctify, proclaim): This verb is used to command the setting apart of a time for a holy purpose, including the calling of a solemn assembly. It is used to proclaim an assembly for the LORD, but also used ironically to proclaim one for Baal 2 Kings 10:20.
  • H7121 qârâʼ (call, proclaim): The act of summoning people together is central to an assembly. This word is used for the calling of assemblies which, due to the people's sin, had become an abomination to God Isaiah 1:13.

Theological Significance

The theological significance of H6116 centers on the nature and purpose of communal gathering.

  • Culmination of Holy Observance: The ʻătsârâh often represents the pinnacle of a divinely appointed feast, a final day of rest and holy convocation dedicated to the LORD (Leviticus 23:36, Nehemiah 8:18). It was a day where no servile work was to be performed Numbers 29:35.
  • A Means of Corporate Repentance: The prophets invoked the call for a solemn assembly as a national emergency measure. It was a summons for the elders and all inhabitants to gather in the house of the LORD and cry out to Him in times of distress Joel 1:14.
  • The Rejection of Empty Ritual: The use of ʻătsârâh in the prophetic writings underscores a critical theme: God's rejection of religious ceremony devoid of sincere faith. He hates and despises assemblies that are accompanied by iniquity Isaiah 1:13 and will not smell the offerings from them Amos 5:21.

Summary

In summary, H6116 is not merely a term for any gathering but specifies a solemn assembly with a defined purpose. Its meaning is determined by its context, whether it is the joyful conclusion of a holy festival, a desperate call for repentance, or a profane gathering for idolatry. Ultimately, the word illustrates the vital biblical principle that the sincerity and righteousness of the participants, not the assembly itself, is what matters to God.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a noun across 11 occurrences, inflected in 3 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form. Select any form to read what each part of its name means, and to filter the occurrence list to it.

  • עֲצָרָה
  • עֲצֶרֶת
  • עַצְּרֹתֵי

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

H2282 חַג or חָג; from חָגַג; a festival, or a victim therefor; (solemn) feast (day), sacrifice, solemnity. H6942 קָדַשׁ a primitive root; to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally); appoint, bid, cons H7121 קָרָא a primitive root (rather identical with קָרָא through the idea of accosting a person met); to call out to (i.e. properly

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 11 verses across 10 of the 39 books. Most frequent in Joel (2 verses); never once in the other 29.

1
Leviticus
1
Numbers
1
Deuteronomy
1
2 Kings
1
2 Chronicles
1
Nehemiah
1
Isaiah
1
Jeremiah
2
Joel
1
Amos

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, by grammatical form, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.