2 Chronicles 7:9 - Exposition

Solemn assembly . The word thus translated in the Authorized Version occurs (including both its but very slightly differing forms) eleven times. Five of these times the margin offers, probably unnecessarily, the optional rendering of "restraint." It may be that the root involves this idea, and certainly the word is especially used for the seventh or closing day of Passover, and eighth or closing day of Tabernacles; but other occasions of its use seem to negative this as an essential element in the signification or essential condition of the use of the word; e.g. "Proclaim a solemn assembly" ( 2 Kings 10:20 ); "Call a solemn assembly" ( Joel 1:14 ; Joel 2:15 ).