This denominative verb (from קָהָל 'assembly') means to gather as a formal assembly or congregation. It appears in the Niphal for communal gathering: for warfare (Joshua 22:12, Judges 20:1), for rebellion (Numbers 16:3, the Korah incident), or for worship (Joshua 18:1, assembling at Shiloh). The verb implies organized, purposeful gathering—not random crowds but structured assemblies with shared intent. Esther 8-9 uses it for the Jews gathering to defend themselves. The term captures Israel's communal identity: they are a people who assemble, who act collectively before God and in history.