The Edah

"Their children also shall be as formerly,
and their congregation (edah) shall be established before Me;
and I will punish all their oppressors."
Jeremiah 30:20

"...I will build My church (edah), and the gates of Hades shall not overpower it."
Matthew 16:18

The Hebrew word edah (#5712 in Strong's Concordance) has several meanings, all of which make it a rich description of the people of God. It means congregation, community, swarm (as of bees), and witness. In one word it captures the essence of what the church is or must be — a gathered people who have one heart and one way, who function together as one body, whose common life of love and unity is a witness of the kingdom, a demonstration of what God is like. That is why, in our teachings, we often use the word edah instead of church.