or עֲצֶרֶת; from עָצָר; an assembly, especially on afestival or holiday; (solemn) assembly (meeting).
Transliteration:ʻătsârâh
Pronunciation:ats-aw-raw'
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term H6116, transliterated as ʻătsârâh (and its variant ʻătsereṯ), derives from the verbal root `{{H6113}}` (ʻātsār), which fundamentally means "to shut up," "to restrain," "to hold back," or "to detain." From this core meaning, ʻătsârâh signifies an "assembly" or "gathering" that is characterized by a "holding back" or "detention" of people from their ordinary activities, specifically for a solemn purpose. It is not merely any gathering, but one that implies a cessation of regular work and a concentration on a particular event, most often a religious festival or holiday. The nuance of "solemnity" is inherent, indicating a serious and often divinely appointed occasion. This "restraint" can be understood as a holy convocation where the community is gathered and held in place for worship, instruction, or communal observance.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ʻătsârâh appears twelve times in the Hebrew Bible, primarily in contexts related to Israel's annual pilgrimage festivals. Its most frequent usage designates the concluding day of major festivals, marking a solemn assembly and a cessation of labor.
* **Feast of Unleavened Bread:** ʻătsârâh is used to describe the seventh and final day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, a day of holy convocation and rest from work ([[Leviticus 23:8]], [[Deuteronomy 16:8]]). This day served as a climactic conclusion to the week-long commemoration of the Exodus.
* **Feast of Booths (Tabernacles):** Similarly, the eighth day following the seven days of the Feast of Booths is consistently referred to as an ʻătsârâh ([[Leviticus 23:36]], [[Numbers 29:35]], [[2 Chronicles 7:9]], [[Nehemiah 8:18]]). This "eighth day" was a distinct, solemn assembly, signifying the culmination of the harvest festival and a final period of reflection and worship before God. In [[2 Chronicles 7:9]], Solomon's dedication of the Temple involved a seven-day feast, followed by an ʻătsârâh on the eighth day, demonstrating the term's application to significant religious gatherings beyond the prescribed festivals.
* **Other Solemn Assemblies:** While primarily associated with the end of major festivals, ʻătsârâh can also denote other significant, divinely appointed gatherings. In [[Joel 1:14]], the prophet calls for a "solemn assembly" (ʻătsârâh) as a day of fasting and repentance in response to a national calamity, highlighting its use for urgent, communal supplication before the Lord. Conversely, in [[Amos 5:21]], God expresses His rejection of Israel's "solemn assemblies" (ʻătsârâh) due to their hypocrisy and lack of justice, underscoring that the outward observance was meaningless without inward obedience and righteousness.
The consistent use of ʻătsârâh points to a divinely ordained time for the community to gather, cease from mundane labor, and focus on their covenant relationship with Yahweh.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for H6116 is its root verb `{{H6113}}` (ʻātsār), "to restrain," "to hold back," or "to shut up." This etymological link illuminates the nature of the ʻătsârâh as a time when the community is "held back" from its daily routines and "detained" for a sacred purpose.
Other Hebrew words for "assembly" or "congregation" include:
* `{{H6951}}` (qāhāl): This is a more general term for an assembly or congregation, often used for any gathering, whether religious or secular, and can refer to the entire "assembly of Israel."
* `{{H5712}}` (‘ēdāh): This term often denotes a congregation with a more formal, administrative, or legal connotation, as in the "congregation of Israel" assembled for specific purposes.
While `{{H6951}}` and `{{H5712}}` refer to the *act* of assembling or the *body* of the assembled, ʻătsârâh carries the specific nuance of a *solemn, set-apart time* for gathering, often implying a cessation of work and a focus on cultic or religious observance. It is frequently translated as "solemn assembly" or "holy convocation," emphasizing its sacred and divinely commanded nature. The concept of "rest" or "cessation from labor" (related to Sabbath observance) is implicitly linked to the ʻătsârâh, as these assemblies often required a suspension of normal activities.
### Theological Significance
The ʻătsârâh holds profound theological significance within the biblical narrative of Israel's relationship with God:
1. **Divine Appointment and Sovereignty:** The ʻătsârâh was not a human invention but a divinely commanded institution. God Himself ordained these solemn assemblies, dictating their timing and purpose. This underscores His sovereignty over time and His desire for His people to set aside specific periods for exclusive communion with Him.
2. **Sacred Time and Consecration:** The ʻătsârâh transforms ordinary time into sacred time. By "restraining" the people from their daily labors, it consecrates a period for worship, remembrance, and renewed covenant commitment. It is a tangible expression of Israel's identity as a people set apart for God.
3. **Communal Unity and Identity:** These assemblies fostered a profound sense of communal identity and unity. Gathered together from all parts of the land, the Israelites reaffirmed their shared history, their common faith, and their collective covenant with Yahweh. It reinforced the idea of Israel as a unified "congregation of the Lord."
4. **Remembrance and Re-enactment:** The ʻătsârâh often served as the climax of festivals commemorating pivotal moments in Israel's salvation history, such as the Exodus from Egypt (Passover/Unleavened Bread) or God's provision in the wilderness (Booths). These assemblies were not merely historical recollections but opportunities for the community to re-enter and re-enact these foundational experiences, thereby renewing their gratitude and faith.
5. **Ethical Imperative:** As seen in Amos, the ʻătsârâh was not merely a ritualistic observance. Its theological significance was tied to the ethical conduct of the people. When the outward form of the ʻătsârâh was divorced from inward righteousness, justice, and genuine repentance, God rejected it. This highlights that true worship demands a transformed life.
### Summary
The Hebrew word H6116, ʻătsârâh, denotes a solemn assembly or gathering, especially one associated with a festival or holiday. Derived from the root `{{H6113}}` meaning "to restrain" or "to hold back," ʻătsârâh signifies a divinely appointed cessation of ordinary activities for the purpose of communal worship and sacred observance. Biblically, it most often refers to the climactic final day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread or the Feast of Booths, a day of holy convocation and rest. Theologically, the ʻătsârâh underscores God's sovereignty over time, the consecration of specific periods for worship, the fostering of communal unity, and the importance of genuine obedience and justice accompanying religious ritual. It represents a vital component of Israel's covenant life, calling the people to set aside the mundane and focus intently on their relationship with the Holy One of Israel.
TRV