In the context of ancient Israel, the term "congregation" refers to the assembly of the Israelites, particularly in their religious and communal gatherings. The concept of exclusion from the congregation is rooted in the Mosaic Law, which outlined specific criteria for participation in the religious and communal life of Israel. These exclusions were intended to maintain the holiness and purity of the community as God's chosen people.

1. Illegitimate Births and Certain Lineages

Deuteronomy 23:2-3 states, "No one of illegitimate birth may enter the assembly of the LORD, nor may any of his descendants, even to the tenth generation. No Ammonite or Moabite or any of their descendants may enter the assembly of the LORD, even to the tenth generation." This exclusion was based on the historical enmity and moral failures associated with these groups, as well as the desire to preserve the sanctity of the congregation.

2. Physical Defects

Leviticus 21:17-23 outlines the exclusion of priests with physical defects from offering sacrifices, though not from the community itself. While this specific exclusion applied to the priesthood, it reflects the broader principle of maintaining ritual purity. The text states, "No man of your descendants in their generations who has any defect may approach to offer the food of his God."

3. Ritual Impurity

Individuals who were ceremonially unclean due to various conditions, such as leprosy or contact with a corpse, were temporarily excluded from the congregation until they were purified. Numbers 5:2-3 commands, "Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone with a skin disease, a discharge, or who is unclean from contact with a dead body."

4. Apostasy and Idolatry

Those who turned away from the worship of Yahweh to serve other gods were excluded from the congregation. Deuteronomy 13:6-11 prescribes severe penalties for idolatry, emphasizing the need to remove such influences from the community to prevent spiritual corruption.

5. Foreigners and Non-Israelites

While the Law provided for the inclusion of foreigners who embraced the covenant (Exodus 12:48), certain groups were explicitly excluded due to their historical opposition to Israel. As mentioned earlier, Ammonites and Moabites were among those excluded, reflecting the importance of covenant loyalty and historical memory.

6. Eunuchs

Deuteronomy 23:1 states, "No man with crushed or severed genitals may enter the assembly of the LORD." This exclusion was related to the cultural and religious significance of wholeness and procreation within the community.

7. New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the concept of exclusion from the congregation takes on a spiritual dimension. The early church practiced church discipline, excluding those who persisted in unrepentant sin. Matthew 18:15-17 outlines the process of addressing sin within the church, culminating in exclusion if the individual refuses to repent: "If he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector."

The exclusions from the congregation in the Old Testament reflect the broader theological themes of holiness, purity, and covenant faithfulness. These principles continue to inform the understanding of community and discipline within the Christian church today.Deuteronomy 23:1-3
He that is wounded in the stones, or has his privy member cut off, shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD.
Nave's Topical Index

The Bishops of Jerusalem from the Age of Our Saviour to the Period ...
... so that they were approved by those who were ... Jewish character of the Jerusalem
congregation was very ... Christians as well as unbelievers--were excluded, and a ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter v the bishops of jerusalem.htm

The Council at Jerusalem.
... The transactions were public, before the congregation; the brethren took part in ...
a totally different order of conceptions to those that were prevalent at ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 64 the council at.htm

2 Samuel xxiii. 1-7.
... them as the organ of the congregation, and because ... Those who, like De Wette and Thenius,
mistake the ... to which all interposing obstacles were excluded, or rather ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/2 samuel xxiii 1-7.htm

How to Conduct Ourselves at Feasts.
... turns in the song while they drank healths round; while those that were more musical ...
will show thee: "Let His praise be in the congregation (church) of ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter iv how to conduct ourselves.htm

The Ministerial Office
... the Methodist society; for this did not imply leaving their former congregation,
but only ... Ye were, fifty years ago, those of you that were then Methodist ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 115 the ministerial office.htm

The Brethren at Home.
... For the poorest of all, those in actual need, they had ... There were three degrees of
punishment ... was denounced in the Church before the whole congregation, and the ...
/.../hutton/history of the moravian church/chapter vii the brethren at.htm

Introduction. Chapter i. --Life of S. Cyril.
... also in the habit of preaching to the general congregation on the ... "If the Divine
grace were more abundant ... would not be so much the fashion among those who live ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/introduction chapter i life of s.htm

Lutherans in vibginia.
... with their English neighbors than those in North ... The resolutions adopted at Woodstock
were prepared by a ... in the cornerstone, the congregation, then numbering ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bente/american lutheranism/lutherans in vibginia.htm

The Lord's Day --The Worship of the Apostolic Church --Its ...
... discredit on the gospel, simply because those who had witnessed his misconduct were
induced to ... or intimidation of an ignorant and excited congregation. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter i the lords daythe.htm

Weighed, and Found Wanting
... all the company' (v, 7), 'all the congregation,' 'all the ... which the crowd ever gives
to those who try ... The Israelites were excluded from Canaan by no arbitrary ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/weighed and found wanting.htm

What is a mime? Does the Bible say anything about miming? | GotQuestions.org

Should pastors be paid a salary? | GotQuestions.org

Are mono-ethnic churches, churches that focus on a specific race or ethnic group, following a biblical model? | GotQuestions.org

Congregation: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus