In biblical terms, a "convocation" refers to a formal gathering or assembly, often for religious purposes. The term is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe sacred assemblies called by God for worship, instruction, or celebration. The Hebrew word for convocation is "miqra," which implies a calling together of people for a specific purpose, particularly in a religious context.

Old Testament Usage

Convocations are prominently featured in the Mosaic Law, where they are associated with the observance of holy days and festivals. Leviticus 23 provides a detailed account of these convocations, outlining the appointed feasts of the Lord. For example, the Sabbath is described as a "sacred assembly" (Leviticus 23:3), where the Israelites were to cease from work and gather for worship.

The Feast of Unleavened Bread is another occasion for a holy convocation. Leviticus 23:7-8 states, "On the first day you shall hold a sacred assembly; you are not to do any ordinary work. For seven days you shall present an offering made by fire to the LORD. On the seventh day there shall be a sacred assembly; you must not do any ordinary work."

Similarly, the Day of Atonement is marked by a solemn convocation. Leviticus 23:27 instructs, "The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You shall hold a sacred assembly and humble yourselves, and present an offering made by fire to the LORD."

New Testament Context

While the term "convocation" is not explicitly used in the New Testament, the concept of gathering for worship and instruction continues. The early church met regularly for 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."

The writer of Hebrews emphasizes the importance of assembling together, stating in Hebrews 10:25 , "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."

Theological Significance

Convocations in the Bible underscore the communal aspect of worship and the importance of gathering as a people set apart for God. These assemblies serve as reminders of God's covenant with His people and provide opportunities for communal repentance, celebration, and renewal of faith.

In the broader biblical narrative, convocations point to the ultimate gathering of God's people in the eschatological future, as depicted in Revelation 7:9 : "After this I looked and saw a multitude too large to count, from every nation and tribe and people and tongue, standing before the throne and before the Lamb."

Practical Application

For contemporary believers, the principle of convocation encourages regular participation in corporate worship and community life within the church. It highlights the value of coming together to honor God, receive teaching, and support one another in faith. Convocations remind Christians of their identity as part of the body of Christ and their calling to live in unity and love.A meeting of a religious character as distinguished from congregation, which was more general, dealing with political and legal matters. Hence it is called an "holy convocation." Such convocations were the Sabbaths (Leviticus 23:2, 3), the Passover (Exodus 12:16; Leviticus 23:7, 8; Numbers 28:25), Pentecost (Leviticus 23:21), the feast of Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24; Numbers 29:1), the feast of Weeks (Numbers 28:26), and the feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:35, 36). The great fast, the annual day of atonement, was "the holy convocation" (Leviticus 23:27; Numbers 29:7). 1. (n.) The act of calling or assembling by summons.

2. (n.) An assembly or meeting.

3. (n.) An assembly of the clergy, by their representatives, to consult on ecclesiastical affairs.

4. (n.) An academic assembly, in which the business of the university is transacted.

CONVOCATION

kon-vo-ka'-shun: A rendering for miqra' chiefly in the frequent "Holy Convocation"; but the word is sometimes used alone, e.g. Numbers 10:2 Isaiah 1:13; Isaiah 4:5. On a holy convocation no work could be done. The phrase differs from "solemn assembly," which in the Pentateuch is only applied to the concluding festivals at the end of Passover and Tabernacles, while "Holy Convocation" is used of the Sabbath and all the great holy days of the Mosaic legislation.

4744. miqra -- a convocation, convoking, reading
... 4743, 4744. miqra. 4745 . a convocation, convoking, reading. Transliteration:
miqra Phonetic Spelling: (mik-raw') Short Definition: convocation. ...
/hebrew/4744.htm - 6k

6951. qahal -- assembly, convocation, congregation
... 6950, 6951. qahal. 6952 . assembly, convocation, congregation. Transliteration:
qahal Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-hawl') Short Definition: assembly. ...
/hebrew/6951.htm - 6k

6954. Qehelathah -- "assembly," a place in the desert
... Kehelathah. From qahal; convocation; Kehelathah, a place in the Desert -- Kehelathah.
see HEBREW qahal. 6953, 6954. Qehelathah. 6955 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/6954.htm - 6k

The Statue of the Empress; what Happened There; the Teaching of ...
... Book VIII. Chapter XX."The Statue of the Empress; what happened there; the Teaching
of John; Convocation of another Synod against John; his Deposition. ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of sozomenus/chapter xx the statue of the.htm

The Irish Articles. AD 1615.
... The first Convocation of the Irish Protestant clergy, which took place after the
model of the English Convocation, adopted a doctrinal formula of its own ...
/.../ 85 the irish articles.htm

Footnotes:
... Footnotes. {6} The following Resolution was passed unanimously by the Upper House
of the Convocation of Canterbury on Feb.10, 1899, after the presentation of ...
/.../ellicott/addresses on the revised version of holy scripture/footnotes .htm

Early History of Revision.
... away since the appearance of the Revised Version of the New Testament, and the
presentation of it by the writer of these pages to the Convocation of Canterbury ...
/.../address i early history of.htm

Articuli xxxix. Ecclesi?? Anglican??. AD 1562.
... were passed, recorded, and ratified to the year 1562 (1563), in Latin only; but
these Latin Articles were revised and translated by the Convocation of 1571 ...
/.../articuli xxxix ecclesiae anglicanae a d.htm

The Consecration of Joy
... days unto the Lord.35. On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye
shall do no servile work therein.36. Seven days ye shall ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the consecration of joy.htm

The Elizabethan Articles. AD 1563 and 1571.
... THE ENGLISH EDITION, 1571. The authorized English text was adopted by Convocation
in 1571, and issued under the editorial care of Bishop Jewel of Salesbury. ...
/.../ 80 the elizabethan articles.htm

Subject Index
... Confirmation, [2434]rubric. Convocation, [2435]Convocation. ... Lord's Supper,
[2543]Title of the. Lower House of Convocation, [2544]Lower House of Convocation. ...
/.../luckock/studies in the book of common prayer/subject index.htm

The Doctrinal Formulas of Henry viii.
... of God king of England and of France, defender of the faith, lord of Ireland, and
in earth supreme head of the Church of England'), and approved by convocation ...
/.../ 78 the doctrinal formulas.htm

Public Use of the Version.
... to authoritative recognition, and to carefully formulated procedures under the high
and venerable sanction of the two Houses of the Convocation of Canterbury. ...
/.../addresses on the revised version of holy scripture/address v public use of.htm

Convocation (19 Occurrences)
... Hence it is called an "holy convocation." Such convocations were the Sabbaths
(Leviticus 23:2, 3), the Passover (Exodus 12:16; Leviticus 23:7, 8; Numbers 28:25 ...
/c/convocation.htm - 14k

Laborious (12 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 23:7 In the first day you shall have a holy convocation. ... In the seventh
day is a holy convocation: you shall do no regular work.'" (See NAS RSV). ...
/l/laborious.htm - 9k

Servile (13 Occurrences)
... Servile (13 Occurrences). Leviticus 23:7 In the first day ye shall have an holy
convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/s/servile.htm - 10k

Regular (95 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Leviticus 23:7 In the first day you shall have a holy convocation. ... In the
seventh day is a holy convocation: you shall do no regular work.'" (WEB NIV). ...
/r/regular.htm - 37k

Sacred (140 Occurrences)
... Exodus 12:16 In the first day there shall be to you a holy convocation, and in the
seventh day a holy convocation; no manner of work shall be done in them ...
/s/sacred.htm - 36k

Seventh (123 Occurrences)
... Exodus 12:16 In the first day there shall be to you a holy convocation, and in the
seventh day a holy convocation; no manner of work shall be done in them ...
/s/seventh.htm - 41k

Trumpets (52 Occurrences)
... of each month were on that occasion blown with unusual solemnity (Leviticus
23:23-25; Numbers 10:10; 29:1-6). It was one of the seven days of holy convocation. ...
/t/trumpets.htm - 32k

Fire-offering (45 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 23:8 and ye have brought near a fire-offering to Jehovah seven days; in
the seventh day 'is' a holy convocation; ye do no servile work.' (YLT). ...
/f/fire-offering.htm - 21k

Therein (269 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 23:3 Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of
rest, an holy convocation; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of ...
/t/therein.htm - 36k

Generally (7 Occurrences)
... of the king's host." (2) As an adjective "general assembly" is the translation of
paneguris (whence we have panegyric), "an assembly or convocation of the ...
/g/generally.htm - 11k

What is a holy convocation? | GotQuestions.org

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Convocation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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