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מִקְרָא

𐤌𐤒𐤓𐤀

miqrâʼ

H4744 noun

SILEX Entry

Root קרא to call, summon, proclaim, read aloud

Definition

A summoned gathering or assembly; also the event or occasion of such a summoning, and by extension the public reading or proclamation that occurs at such gatherings. The term refers primarily to an official, ritual, or cultic convocation (including sacred festivals and days of assembly), but can also denote the act of reading aloud (especially of sacred texts) in a communal setting.

Semantic Range

summoned gathering, official assembly, event or occasion of summoning, public reading or recitation (of sacred texts), convocation, religious festival assembly, rehearsal

Root / Etymology

The noun מִקְרָא derives from the root קרא (ק-ר-א), which means 'to call, summon, proclaim, read aloud.' The prefix מִ– (mem) is characteristically used to form nouns denoting the place, time, or product of the root action. Thus, מִקְרָא literally means 'that which is called (out)' or 'calling/event of summoning.'

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, מִקְרָא is most frequently used in liturgical and legal contexts, referring to assemblies or convocations called for religious observance (e.g., 'holy convocation,' מִקְרָא קֹדֶשׁ, as in Leviticus 23). In post-exilic and Second Temple contexts, the term also takes on the meaning of 'reading aloud,' referring to the public recitation of Torah or sacred texts, particularly in communal worship or instruction settings (e.g., Nehemiah 8:8). English translations such as 'assembly,' 'convocation,' or 'reading' each capture partial aspects of the semantic range. The nuance between summoning people for a religious purpose and the act of public reading is context-dependent. The overlap between the act (summoning/reading), those assembled, and the event itself is characteristic of the word's usage.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

from קָרָא; something called out, i.e. a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal; assembly, calling, convocation, reading.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

קרא (q-r-ʾ) — to call, summon, proclaim, read aloud

Strong's Lemma SIBI-P1
H6981 קוֹרֵא the one who calls
H7121 קָרָא in my calling
H7122 קָרָא to encounter
H7123 קְרָא I will call out
H7124 קֹרֵא the calling-one

Word Forms

5 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H4744-03 מִקְרָא miqera HNcmsc convocation summoned assembly of 17
H4744-05 מִקְרָאֵ֣י miqeraey HNcmpc holy convocations summoned assemblies of 3
H4744-04 מִקְרָאֶ֗/הָ miqeraeha HNcmpc/Sp3fs her assemblies her summoned assemblies 1
H4744-01 בַּ/מִּקְרָֽא bamiqera HRd/Ncmsa the reading in the summoned assembly 1
H4744-02 לְ/מִקְרָ֣א lemiqera HR/Ncmsc for calling for summoned-assembly of 1

Occurrences in Scripture

23 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H4744-03 Exodus 12:16 מִקְרָא miqera HNcmsc convocation summoned assembly of
H4744-03 Exodus 12:16 מִקְרָא miqera-2 HNcmsc convocation summoned assembly of
H4744-05 Leviticus 23:2 מִקְרָאֵ֣י miqeraey HNcmpc holy convocations summoned assemblies of
H4744-03 Leviticus 23:3 מִקְרָא miqera HNcmsc a holy convocation summoned assembly of
H4744-05 Leviticus 23:4 מִקְרָאֵ֖י miqeraey HNcmpc holy convocations summoned assemblies of
H4744-03 Leviticus 23:7 מִקְרָא miqera HNcmsc convocation summoned assembly of
H4744-03 Leviticus 23:8 מִקְרָא miqera HNcmsc convocation summoned assembly of
H4744-03 Leviticus 23:21 מִֽקְרָא miqera HNcmsc convocation summoned assembly of
H4744-03 Leviticus 23:24 מִקְרָא miqera HNcmsc a holy convocation summoned assembly of
H4744-03 Leviticus 23:27 מִֽקְרָא miqera HNcmsc a convocation summoned assembly of
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