Jump to: Smith's • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Greek • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia The term "congregation" in the Bible refers to an assembly or gathering of people, often for religious purposes. It is a concept deeply rooted in both the Old and New Testaments, signifying the collective body of believers who come together to worship, learn, and serve God.Old Testament Usage In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word most commonly translated as "congregation" is 'edah (עֵדָה), which refers to the assembly of the Israelites. This term is frequently used in the context of the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. For example, in Exodus 12:3, God instructs Moses, "Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man must select a lamb for his family, one per household." Here, the congregation is the entire community of Israel, united in their observance of the Passover. The congregation also played a significant role in the governance and religious life of Israel. In Numbers 27:17, Moses prays for a leader "who will go out and come in before them, who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep without a shepherd." This highlights the congregation's need for guidance and leadership under God's direction. New Testament Usage In the New Testament, the Greek word ekklesia (ἐκκλησία) is often translated as "church" or "assembly," and it carries forward the concept of a congregation. This term is used to describe both local gatherings of believers and the universal body of Christ. In Matthew 18:20, Jesus states, "For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I with them." This emphasizes the presence of Christ among His followers, even in small congregations. The early Christian congregations were characterized by their devotion to the apostles' teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer, as seen in Acts 2:42: "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." These gatherings were marked by a sense of community and shared faith. Role and Function The congregation serves several key functions within the biblical framework. It is a place of worship, where believers gather to praise God and receive instruction from His Word. Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers not to forsake assembling together: "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds. Let us not neglect meeting together, as some have made a habit, but let us encourage one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Additionally, the congregation is a community of support and accountability. In Galatians 6:2, Paul instructs, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This highlights the mutual care and responsibility members have for one another within the congregation. Leadership and Structure The New Testament outlines a structure for congregational leadership, including roles such as elders and deacons. In 1 Timothy 3:1-13, Paul provides qualifications for these leaders, emphasizing character and ability to teach. Elders are tasked with shepherding the flock, as seen in 1 Peter 5:2: "Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them—not out of compulsion, but because it is God’s will." Conclusion The concept of congregation in the Bible underscores the importance of community and collective worship in the life of believers. It is through the congregation that individuals find spiritual nourishment, guidance, and a sense of belonging within the body of Christ. Smith's Bible Dictionary CongregationThis describes the Hebrew people in its collective capacity under its peculiar aspect as a holy community, held together by religious rather than political bonds. Sometimes it is used in a broad sense as inclusive of foreign settlers, (Exodus 12:19) but more properly as exclusively appropriate to the Hebrew element of the population. (Numbers 15:15) The congregation was governed by the father or head of each family and tribe. The number of these representatives being inconveniently large for ordinary business, a further selection was made by Moses of 70, who formed a species of standing committee. (Numbers 11:16) Occasionally indeed the whole body of people was assembled at the door of the tabernacle, hence usually called the tabernacle of the congregation. (Numbers 10:3) The people were strictly bound by the acts of their representatives, even in cases where they disapproved of them. (Joshua 9:18) Easton's Bible Dictionary Congregation(Hebrews kahal), the Hebrew people collectively as a holy community (Numbers 15:15). Every circumcised Hebrew from twenty years old and upward was a member of the congregation. Strangers resident in the land, if circumcised, were, with certain exceptions (Exodus 12:19; Numbers 9:14; Deuteronomy 23:1-3), admitted to the privileges of citizenship, and spoken of as members of the congregation (Exodus 12:19; Numbers 9:14; 15:15). The congregation were summonded together by the sound of two silver trumpets, and they met at the door of the tabernacle (Numbers 10:3). These assemblies were convened for the purpose of engaging in solemn religious services (Exodus 12:27; Numbers 25:6; Joel 2:15), or of receiving new commandments (Exodus 19:7, 8). The elders, who were summonded by the sound of one trumpet (Numbers 10:4), represented on various occasions the whole congregation (Exodus 3:16; 12:21; 17:5; 24:1). After the conquest of Canaan, the people were assembled only on occasions of the highest national importance (Judges 20; 2 Chronicles 30:5; 34:29; 1 Samuel 10:17; 2 Samuel 5:1-5; 1 Kings 12:20; 2 Kings 11:19; 21:24; 23:30). In subsequent times the congregation was represented by the Sanhedrim; and the name synagogue, applied in the Septuagint version exclusively to the congregation, came to be used to denote the places of worship established by the Jews. (see CHURCH.) In Acts 13:43, where alone it occurs in the New Testament, it is the same word as that rendered "synagogue" (q.v.) in ver. 42, and is so rendered in ver. 43 in R.V. Congregation, mount of the (Isaiah 14:13), has been supposed to refer to the place where God promised to meet with his people (Exodus 25:22; 29:42, 43) i.e., the mount of the Divine presence, Mount Zion. But here the king of Babylon must be taken as expressing himself according to his own heathen notions, and not according to those of the Jews. The "mount of the congregation" will therefore in this case mean the northern mountain, supposed by the Babylonians to be the meeting-place of their gods. In the Babylonian inscriptions mention is made of a mountain which is described as "the mighty mountain of Bel, whose head rivals heaven, whose root is the holy deep." This mountain was regarded in their mythology as the place where the gods had their seat. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of congregating, or bringing together, or of collecting into one aggregate or mass.2. (n.) A collection or mass of separate things. 3. (n.) An assembly of persons; a gathering; esp. an assembly of persons met for the worship of God, and for religious instruction; a body of people who habitually so meet. 4. (n.) The whole body of the Jewish people; -- called also Congregation of the Lord. 5. (n.) A body of cardinals or other ecclesiastics to whom as entrusted some department of the church business; as, the Congregation of the Propaganda, which has charge of the missions of the Roman Catholic Church. 6. (n.) A company of religious persons forming a subdivision of a monastic order. 7. (n.) The assemblage of Masters and Doctors at Oxford or Cambridge University, mainly for the granting of degrees. 8. (n.) the name assumed by the Protestant party under John Knox. The leaders called themselves (1557) Lords of the Congregation. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia CONGREGATIONkon-gre-ga'-shun (qahal, `edhah). CONGREGATION, MOUNT OF (har-mo`edh Isaiah 14:13): The prophet has depicted the excitement caused in Sheol by the descent of the once mighty king of Babylon into the world of shades, and now himself points the contrast between the monarch's former haughty boastings and his present weak and hopeless condition: "Thou saidst in thy heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; and I will sit upon the mount of congregation, in the uttermost parts of the north." Instead he is brought down "to the uttermost parts of the pit" (Isaiah 14:15). By the "mount of congregation" (meeting or assembly) is evidently meant the fancied Olympus of the gods on some lofty northern height. The king vaunted that he would make his abode with the gods in heaven; now he is cast down to the depths of Sheol. MOUNT OF CONGREGATION, THE Greek 1577. ekklesia -- an assembly, a (religious) congregation ... an assembly, a (religious) congregation. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: ekklesia Phonetic Spelling: (ek-klay-see'-ah) Short Definition: an ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1577.htm - 8k 656. aposunagogos -- expelled from the congregation 4864. sunagoge -- a bringing together, by ext. an assembling ... 4128. plethos -- a great number 2819. kleros -- a lot 1985. episkopos -- a superintendent, an overseer Strong's Hebrew 5712. edah -- congregation... 5711, 5712. edah. 5713 . congregation. Transliteration: edah Phonetic Spelling: (ay-daw') Short Definition: congregation. Word Origin ... /hebrew/5712.htm - 6k 6951. qahal -- assembly, convocation, congregation 6952. qehillah -- assembly, congregation 6950. qahal -- to gather as an assembly or congregation 4150. moed -- appointed time, place, or meeting 482. elem -- silence. 4721. maqhel -- an assembly 2416. chay -- alive, living 5517. Sia -- father of some returning exiles Library A Bull in the Congregation Congregation of 20,000 An Ox in the Congregation For a Congregation of . For the Great Congregation. A Sermon and Congregation to Order Epistle Lxiii. To Epictetus and to the Congregation of Assur?? ... A Congregation. Wesley's Congregation Stoned The Congregation Dismissed. Thesaurus Congregation (347 Occurrences)... Easton's Bible Dictionary Congregation. ... Every circumcised Hebrew from twenty years old and upward was a member of the congregation. ... /c/congregation.htm - 48k Congregation's (1 Occurrence) Israelite (83 Occurrences) Murmur (23 Occurrences) Elea'zar (72 Occurrences) Grumbled (13 Occurrences) Murmured (21 Occurrences) Bullock (95 Occurrences) Assemble (77 Occurrences) Princes (324 Occurrences) Resources What sort of outreach ministries should a church have? | GotQuestions.orgHow can a church survive/recover when a pastor leaves? | GotQuestions.org Can a Christian worship God using music from a church with unbiblical teachings? | GotQuestions.org Congregation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Congregation (347 Occurrences)Luke 6:6 Acts 4:32 Acts 6:2 Acts 6:5 Acts 7:38 Acts 13:43 Acts 15:30 Acts 19:9 Hebrews 2:12 Genesis 28:3 Exodus 12:3 Exodus 12:6 Exodus 12:19 Exodus 12:47 Exodus 16:1 Exodus 16:2 Exodus 16:3 Exodus 16:9 Exodus 16:10 Exodus 16:22 Exodus 17:1 Exodus 28:43 Exodus 29:4 Exodus 29:10 Exodus 29:11 Exodus 29:30 Exodus 29:32 Exodus 29:42 Exodus 29:44 Exodus 30:16 Exodus 30:18 Exodus 30:20 Exodus 30:26 Exodus 30:36 Exodus 31:7 Exodus 33:7 Exodus 34:31 Exodus 35:1 Exodus 35:4 Exodus 35:20 Exodus 35:21 Exodus 38:8 Exodus 38:30 Exodus 39:32 Exodus 39:40 Exodus 40:2 Exodus 40:6 Exodus 40:7 Exodus 40:12 Exodus 40:22 Exodus 40:24 Exodus 40:26 Exodus 40:29 Exodus 40:30 Exodus 40:32 Exodus 40:34 Exodus 40:35 Leviticus 1:1 Leviticus 1:3 Leviticus 1:5 Leviticus 3:2 Leviticus 3:8 Leviticus 3:13 Leviticus 4:4 Leviticus 4:5 Leviticus 4:7 Leviticus 4:13 Leviticus 4:14 Leviticus 4:15 Leviticus 4:16 Leviticus 4:21 Leviticus 6:16 Leviticus 6:26 Leviticus 6:30 Leviticus 8:3 Leviticus 8:4 Leviticus 8:5 Leviticus 8:31 Leviticus 8:33 Leviticus 8:35 Leviticus 9:5 Leviticus 9:23 Leviticus 10:6 Leviticus 10:7 Leviticus 10:9 Leviticus 10:17 Leviticus 12:6 Leviticus 14:11 Leviticus 14:23 Leviticus 15:14 Leviticus 15:29 Leviticus 16:5 Leviticus 16:7 Leviticus 16:16 Leviticus 16:17 Leviticus 16:20 Leviticus 16:23 Leviticus 16:33 Leviticus 17:4 Leviticus 17:5 Subtopics Congregation: Those Who Were Excluded From Related Terms Unintentionally (20 Occurrences) Sin-offering (115 Occurrences) |
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