Qahal

The Qahal (Hebrew: קהל‎‎) was a theocratic organizational structure in ancient Israelite society according to the Masoretic Text of the Bible. In later centuries, Qahal was the name of the autonomous governments of Ashkenazi Jews.

The Hebrew word qahal, which is a close etymological relation of the name of Qoheleth (Ecclesiastes), comes from a root meaning "convoked [group]"; its Arabic cognate, qāla, means to speak.

Where the Masoretic Text uses the term qahal, the Septuagint usually uses the Koine Greek term ekklesia, , which means "summoned group" (literally, "they who are called out"). However, in one particular part of the Priestly Code, the Septuagint instead uses the term , literally meaning "gathering", where the Masoretic Text uses qahal. This last term is the origin of the word "synagogue".

Thus, the usual translation of qahal is "congregation" or "assembly", although אֲסֻפּ֑וֹת asuppot,עֲצָרָה aṣarah,עֵדָה ʿedah,מוֹעֵד moʿed,מִקְרָא miqra, and סוֹד sod, are also usually translated like this.

In particular, the Biblical text consistently distinguishes between ʿedah and qahal. One passage especially makes the distinction clear; part of the Priestly Code discusses what to do if "the whole Israelite ['edah] commits a sin and the [qahal] is not aware of it[.]" Scholars conclude that the qahal must be a judicial body composed of representatives of the ʿedah; in some biblical passages, ʿedah is more accurately translated as "swarm".

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