What is a solemn assembly in the Bible?

Answer

In the Bible, a solemn assembly is a gathering of the people of Israel for a sacred feast, festival, or holy occasion. It involved a ritual of purification or observing a state of holiness during which all community members were instructed not to work. The solemn assembly is also known as a “sacred assembly” and a “solemn meeting.”

One Hebrew term translated as “solemn assembly” means “a day of restraint”—mainly refraining from work. Another Hebrew term translated as “solemn assembly” refers to a distinct, appointed time designated for celebrating festivals. During these special worship events, the entire community came together for either a feast or a day of fasting.

Solemn assemblies were significant in Israel’s yearly feasts and festivals. For instance, as part of the observance of Passover, on the seventh day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, God instructed a solemn assembly: “For six days eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day, hold an assembly to the LORD your God and refrain from work” «Six days you shall eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day, there shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD your God: you shall not work on that day. », (Deuteronomy 16:8). On the eighth day of the Feast of Booths (or Feast of Tabernacles), Israel was instructed to hold a solemn assembly: “For seven days present food offerings to the LORD, and on the eighth day, hold a sacred assembly and present a food offering to the LORD. It is the concluding special assembly; do not engage in regular work” «Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD: on the eighth day, there shall be a holy convocation for you; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD: it is a solemn assembly; and you shall not do any ordinary work on that day. », (Leviticus 23:36).

The dedication of Solomon’s temple lasted for seven days and concluded with a solemn assembly on the eighth day, followed by the Feast of Tabernacles: “On the eighth day they held an assembly, for they had celebrated the dedication of the altar for seven days and the festival for seven days more” «And on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly: for they observed the dedication of the altar for seven days, and the feast for seven days. », (2 Chronicles 7:9).

An unusual solemn assembly occurred during King Jehu’s reign in Israel. Jehu devised a plan to eradicate Baal worship from the land by commanding a solemn assembly of all the priests of Baal. After deceptively leading them into their own temple, Jehu had the entire assembly slaughtered, and then he burned and destroyed the temple of Baal (2 Kings 10:18-28).

In times of crisis, the people of Israel gathered in solemn assembly for special days of fasting. When a devastating plague of locusts brought drought and famine to Israel, the prophet Joel summoned the people to a solemn assembly: “Declare a holy fast; call a sacred assembly. Summon the elders and all who live in the land to the house of the LORD your God, and cry out to the LORD” (Joel 1:14;cf: 2:15).

The prophets sometimes rebuked and denounced the people’s solemn assemblies because their gatherings were merely hypocritical religious displays: “Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths, and convocations—I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them” (Isaiah 1:13-14). The Lord des

Disguising outward rituals that only conceal inner rebellion. In their daily lives, the Israelites were not practicing justice. They were not meeting the Lord’s standard of righteousness. Despite this, through their solemn assemblies, they were upholding a public facade of piety. God saw through the religious hypocrisy and rejected it: “I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me” «I hate, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies. », (Amos 5:21).

In modern times, some Protestant churches occasionally organize gatherings known as “solemn assemblies.” These meetings are typically held for prayer, listening to the Word, and engaging in corporate soul-searching and self-reflection. During a solemn assembly, the congregation usually comes together for repentance, confession of sins, and fasting.