What Does Leviticus 23:35 Mean in the King James?
On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The holy day is a gathering called into being, while ordinary labor is set down.
THE MEANING
This day holds two things together: a set-apart gathering and a pause from servile work. Its time is marked off from ordinary labor so the assembly can occupy the day.
THE ROOT
מִקְרָא
miqra
GROWS FROM
קרא
to call, summon, or proclaim
“Convocation” carries the sense of a called gathering: the day is not only marked as set apart, but people are summoned into it together. The same root also reaches into reading and proclamation, joining assembly with a word spoken or heard.
ALSO GROWS
qara: to call, summon, or proclaim
קָרָא
This is the root action behind the gathering: people are called into the day.
miqra: a convocation or reading
מִקְרָא
The verse’s convocation belongs to a family of meanings in which people gather around what is called or proclaimed.
קֹדֶשׁ
qodesh
GROWS FROM
קדשׁ
to set apart, consecrate
“holy” in this verse is qodesh. The gathering is designated as set apart, giving the day a distinct use. The root connects this designation with both sacred space and the people or things consecrated for that space.
ALSO GROWS
qadosh: set apart, consecrated
קָדוֹשׁ
It describes what bears the day’s distinct quality.
miqdash: sanctuary, sacred place
מִקְדָּשׁ
This branch shows how setting apart can shape a place as well as a day.
עֲבֹדָה
avodah
GROWS FROM
עבד
to serve or labor
“servile work” in this verse is avodah. The work prohibited here belongs to the language of service and labor. That root can describe work, service, and the one who serves, so the pause releases the day from ordinary demands of service.
ALSO GROWS
avad: to serve or work
עָבַד
This is the action named by the prohibition: the day is not given to ordinary labor.
eved: servant
עֶבֶד
The related noun makes the service dimension of “servile work” visible.
THE PATTERN
A set-apart gathering is given room when ordinary labor pauses.
And in the first day there shall be an holy convocation, and in the seventh day there shall be an holy convocation to you; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done of you.In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.THE THREAD
Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.“Calling of assemblies” translates the same Hebrew word, מִקְרָא (miqra), as “convocation” here. The shared root makes the gathering’s called nature visible, while Isaiah shows that the outward assembly alone does not define what makes a day set apart.
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