from קָהַל; convocation; Kehelathah, a place in the Desert; Kehelathah.
Transliteration:Qᵉhêlâthâh
Pronunciation:keh-hay-law'-thaw
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term Qᵉhêlâthâh (`{{H6954}}`) is a proper noun, specifically a geographical place name. It is derived from the verbal root `{{H6950}}` (qâhal), which means "to assemble," "to gather," or "to convoke." Therefore, the name Qᵉhêlâthâh inherently carries the semantic weight of "a place of assembly" or "a place of convocation." While its primary function in the biblical text is to denote a specific location, its etymological root imbues it with a secondary layer of meaning related to community gathering and collective presence.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
Qᵉhêlâthâh appears exclusively in the book of Numbers, specifically within the detailed itinerary of the Israelite wilderness wanderings. It is mentioned twice:
* [[Numbers 33:22]]: "They journeyed from Rissah and camped at Kehelathah." This verse places Kehelathah as the immediate successor encampment to Rissah.
* [[Numbers 33:23]]: "They journeyed from Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shapher." This verse establishes Kehelathah as the encampment directly preceding Mount Shapher.
The context is purely geographical and historical, documenting the stages of Israel's journey from Egypt to the plains of Moab. As a location in the vast and often featureless wilderness, the name "place of assembly" is intriguing. It might suggest a designated point where the tribes temporarily gathered, perhaps for a specific purpose, or simply a recognized landmark where the entire congregation would naturally come together before proceeding. The brevity of its mention, without further descriptive details, suggests its significance lies primarily in its role as a marker in the divinely orchestrated pilgrimage.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most significant related word is the root from which Qᵉhêlâthâh is derived:
* **`{{H6950}}` (qâhal):** The verb "to assemble, gather, convoke." This is the foundational meaning for understanding Qᵉhêlâthâh.
* **`{{H6951}}` (qâhâl):** The noun form, meaning "assembly," "congregation," or "company." This term is frequently used to refer to the "assembly of Israel" or the "congregation of the Lord," highlighting the collective identity of God's people. The naming of a place as a "convocation" point resonates deeply with the nature of Israel as a gathered people, united under God's covenant.
* **Wilderness Wanderings:** The broader narrative of Numbers 33 emphasizes God's meticulous guidance of Israel through the desert. Each named location, including Qᵉhêlâthâh, serves as a testament to this divine leading and the formation of Israel as a nation.
* **Tabernacle/Tent of Meeting:** While not directly related by name, the Tabernacle was the central "place of meeting" or "assembly" for the Israelites, where God's presence dwelt among His people. The concept of a "place of convocation" in the wilderness aligns with the ongoing need for the community to gather before the Lord.
### Theological Significance
Though a seemingly minor geographical reference, Qᵉhêlâthâh carries subtle theological weight. Its name, "place of assembly," in the context of the wilderness journey, underscores several themes:
* **Divine Order and Guidance:** The precise listing of encampments, including Qᵉhêlâthâh, highlights God's meticulous and orderly guidance of His people. Even in the unpredictable wilderness, there were designated points of rest and perhaps spiritual renewal, all according to God's plan.
* **The Nature of Israel as a *Qâhâl*:** The very name evokes the core identity of Israel as the "assembly of Yahweh." Even when journeying through desolate lands, they remained a unified, divinely gathered community. God was forming them into a cohesive people, and places like Qᵉhêlâthâh might have served as practical reminders of their collective identity.
* **God's Presence Amidst Pilgrimage:** The implication of a "place of assembly" suggests that even in the wilderness, there were moments and locations where the community gathered, perhaps for worship, instruction, or simply to acknowledge God's presence among them. It speaks to the ongoing relationship between God and His people throughout their trials.
### Summary
Qᵉhêlâthâh (`{{H6954}}`) is a Hebrew place name, recorded in the book of Numbers ([[Numbers 33:22]], [[Numbers 33:23]]) as an encampment during the Israelite wilderness wanderings. Derived from the verb `{{H6950}}` (qâhal), meaning "to assemble," its name signifies "a place of assembly" or "convocation." While its exact geographical features and the specific events that might have occurred there remain unstated, the name itself subtly reinforces the identity of Israel as the "assembly of Yahweh" (`{{H6951}}`). Its inclusion in the meticulous itinerary of Numbers 33 underscores God's precise guidance and orderly provision for His covenant people, even in the desolate wilderness, highlighting His continuous presence and the communal nature of their pilgrimage.
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