I have enjoyed the many comments on EKKLHSIA. I forgot in my post to mention the following article (which I have not yet read) by J. Y. Campbell: "The Origin and Meaning of the Christian Use of the Word "ekklesia," " Journal of Theological Studies 49: pp. 130-42. (I saw this reference in the TWOT under "qahal".) David D.W. Roe Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany