IT probably happens that an English reader of the Bible is sometimes perplexed by finding the words "solemn assembly" in the text, and “day of restraint “in the margin. (See Lev. 23:36; Deut. 16:8; 2 Chron. 7:9; Neh. 8:18.) If acquainted with Greek and not with Hebrew, he would wonder still more to find the word έξόδιονoccasionally used as a rendering of the Hebrew word; but, in reality, there is a connection between the ideas suggested by each of the three terms employed. Let it be first remarked, that the word "holy days" in the margin (Amos 5:21) might have been better than those inserted either in the text or in the margin elsewhere, as the rendering of the Hebrew word עצרחThen let the following supposed case be employed as an illustration of the meaning of the three words or phrases:
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Hebrew.
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Greek.
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English.
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עצרח
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ἐξόδιον
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holiday
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restraint
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exit, departure,- q.d. leave of absence.
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(holy day) or solemn assembly.
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A stranger arrives in London from the country, and is disappointed at finding it is a holiday at the Bank. He would probably meet with the following explanation: Do you not see the people are all going to Church? (ἐκκλησία, solemn assembly.) Business is restrained (עצרח).and the clerks at the Bank, &c., have leave to go out. (ἐξόδιον.)
N.B. It should be remarked, however, that it is possible the Greek word may refer to the celebration of the Exodus, but this does not seem very probable. Also, Amos, in the passage referred to, uses another word. SAMECH.