Bible Dictionary
Convocation
A convocation was a religious assembly, especially a holy gathering on a Sabbath or festival. The Mosaic law appointed such assemblies for Passover, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles.
Definition
A convocation was a religious assembly, especially a holy gathering appointed by Mosaic law. It differed from the more general congregation, which could deal with political and legal matters as well as religious concerns.
Biblical Usage
Holy convocations were appointed for the Sabbath, Passover, Pentecost, the feast of Trumpets, the feast of Weeks, Tabernacles, and the Day of Atonement. No work could be done during a holy convocation.
Historical Background
The Hebrew term means a called or proclaimed assembly. It was used for the Sabbath and the great holy days, while “solemn assembly” had a more limited use for the concluding gatherings of Passover and Tabernacles.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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 (Lev. 23:2, 3), the Passover (Ex. 12:16; Lev. 23:7, 8; Num. 28:25), Pentecost (Lev. 23:21), the feast of Trumpets (Lev. 23:24; Num. 29:1), the feast of Weeks (Num. 28:26), and the feast of Tabernacles (Lev. 23:35, 36). The great fast, the annual day of atonement, was “the holy convocation” (Lev. 23:27; Num. 29:7).
Smith's Bible Dictionary
This term (with one exception)— (Isaiah 1:13) is applied invariably to meetings of a religious character, in contradistinction to congregation.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kon-vo-ka'-shun: A rendering for miqra' chiefly in the frequent "Holy Convocation"; but the word is sometimes used alone, e.g. Nu 10:2; Isa 1:13; 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.</p>