convocation

A calling together or a summons to meet. The term appears primarily in the phrase “holy convocation” and signifies the call to assembly at the sanctuary of the Israelite congregation on a holy day. The days decreed as “holy convocation” were the weekly Sabbath (Lev 23:3); the first and seventh days of Passover (Lev 23:5-8; Num 28:18-25); the Festival of Weeks (Lev 23:21; Num 28:26); the first day of the month Tishrei (Lev 23:24; Num 29:1); the Day of Atonement (Lev 23:27; Num 29:7); and the first and eighth days of the Festival of Tabernacles (Lev 23:35-36; Num 29:12-35). Characteristic of these days was the prohibition of work.