Qahal / Kahal: to gather; to assemble

Kahal YHWH: chosen and gathered by God

‘Edah’ similar to Qahal

People of God

The Remnant

Gen 28: Dt 23: 2-9 Ps 40: 9-10 Exodus 35:1 Ex 3:7-10; Ex 2: 23-25 Is 37: 31-32

used of the religious assembly of the Israelites

Examples: Gen 28: Dt 23

Qahal rab: ‘the great assembly’ i.e. the liturgical gathering : Ps 40: 9-10

Moses assembled all the congregation of the Israelites and said to them: these are the things that the Lord has commanded you to do…..

QAHAL used here in conjunction with EDAH Meaning virtually the same

Mostly in the Pentateuch

Mostly in Numbers – eg Num 1:2; 14:2

Less liturgical and more institutional perhaps?

My people / your people : Ex 3:7

A covenant people in relationship with God

The people of Israel

The people of YHWH

But: simple belonging does not ‘save’

Then the Lord said “I have observed the misery of my people…

I have heard their cry.. indeed I know their sufferings…..

Prophetic literature

A core from which the ‘new Israel’ will be built up

Is 37: 31-32

Subsequent sects saw themselves as this ‘faithful remnant’