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Often the direct object of
is the “name” of Yahweh (e.g., Ps. 105:1; Isa. 12:4; 1
Chron. 16:8). In one sense, this idiom is simply synonymous with praising Yahweh. In
another sense, however, it introduces the entire dimension evoked by the “name” in
biblical usage. It reminds us that the holy God cannot be directly approached by fallen
man, but only through His “name”—i.e., His Word and reputation, an anticipation of the
incarnation. God reveals Himself only in His “name,” especially in the sanctuary where
He “causes His name to dwell” (a phrase especially frequent in Deuteronomy).
The vista of
expands both vertically and horizontally—vertically to include all
creation, and horizontally stretching forward to that day when praise and thanksgiving
shall be eternal (e.g., Ps. 29; 95:10; 96:7-9; 103:19-22).
TO CONFRONT
%
(
$
, 6923), “to meet, confront, go before, be before.” This verb occurs 27
times and in every period of biblical Hebrew. Most often, this verb is used in a martial
context. Such confrontations may be peaceful, as in the meeting of allies: “For thou [dost
meet] him with the blessings of goodness …” (Ps. 21:3). They may also be hostile: “The
sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death confronted (
KJV
, “prevented”)
me” (2 Sam. 22:6).
CONGREGATION
(
$
, 5712), “congregation.” This word may have etymologically signified a
“company assembled together” for a certain purpose, similar to the Greek words
$
and
from which our words “synagogue” and “church” are derived. In
ordinary usage,
refers to a “group of people.” It occurs 149 times in the Old
Testament, most frequently in the Book of Numbers. The first occurrence is in Exod.
12:3, where the word is a synonym for
%
“assembly.”
The most general meaning of
is “group,” whether of animals—such as a swarm
of bees (Judg. 14:8), a herd of bulls (Ps. 68:30), and the flocking together of birds (Hos.
7:12)— or of people, such as the righteous (Ps. 1:5), the evildoers (Ps. 22:16), and the
nations (Ps. 7:7).
The most frequent reference is to the “congregation of Israel” (9 times), “the
congregation of the sons of Israel” (26 times), “the congregation” (24 times), or “all of
the congregation” (30 times). Elders (Lev. 4:15), family heads (Num. 31:26), and princes
(Num. 16:2; 31:13; 32:2) were placed in charge of the “congregation” in order to assist
Moses in a just rule.
The Septuagint translation is
$
(“place of assembly”). The
KJV
has these
translations: “congregation; company; assembly.”
(
$
, 4150), “appointed place of meeting; meeting.” The noun
appears in the Old Testament 223 times, of which 160 times are in the Pentateuch. The
historical books are next in the frequency of usage (27 times).
The word
keeps its basic meaning of “appointed,” but varies as to what is
agreed upon or appointed according to the context: the time, the place, or the meeting
itself. The usage of the verb in Amos 3:3 is illuminating: “Can two walk together, except