"La comunitat dels congregats". Estudi de l'arrel qhl en la Bíblia hebrea

This study considers the meaning of the word ‘ekklesia’ in the OT. The Septuagintshows that it is a translation of the Hebrew word qahal, which is examined herefrom a philological point of view. It is especially interesting to note that qhl is nota word that is borrowed from other cultures but is a neologism in the languageand thought of the biblical people of Israel. An analysis of the most significantoccurrences of words with the root qhl leads to striking theological conclusions: themeaning of the word ‘ekklesia’ in the NT comes from the strong meaning that theHebrew Bible gives to the texts that speak of the ‘congregation’ with reference toIsrael as a community gathered around the Lord, especially in connection with hisword and with the praise that those who feel called to be members of the gatheredpeople address to him.