Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 16

 Return to the Lord

Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Joel 2:16

Gather the people... The entire worshiping community (assembly) was to gather, from the oldest (elders) to the youngest (those nursing at the breast). Not even newlyweds were exempted (cf. Deut. 24:5). From oldest to youngest they were to come. The situation is so grave that even the groom and bride were exhorted to assemble (Deut. 24:5); consummation of the marriage could wait.

Sanctify the congregation... At this gathering, there would be no excuses accepted. Everyone must repent. Even the babies and little children must come and be set aside for God's purpose.

Gather...

אָסַף

'âsaph

aw-saf'

A primitive root; to gather for any purpose; hence to receive, take away, that is, remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.): - assemble, bring, consume, destroy, fetch, gather (in, together, up again), X generally, get (him), lose, put all together, receive, recover [another from leprosy], (be) re-reward, X surely, take (away, into, up), X utterly, withdraw.

the people...

עַם

‛am

am

From H6004; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively a flock: - folk, men, nation, people.

sanctify...

קָדַשׁ

qâdash

kaw-dash'

A primitive root; to be (causatively make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally): - appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy (-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify (-ied one, self), X wholly.

the congregation...

קָהָל

qâhâl

kaw-hawl

From H6950; assemblage (usually concretely): - assembly, company, congregation, multitude.

assemble...

קָבַץ

qâbats

kaw-bats'

A primitive root; to grasp, that is, collect: - assemble (selves), gather (bring) (together, selves together, up), heap, resort, X surely, take up.

the elders...

זָקֵן

zâqên

zaw-kane'

From H2204; old: - aged, ancient (man), elder (-est), old (man, men and . . . women), senator.

Again, The entire worshiping community (assembly) was to gather, from the oldest (elders) to the youngest (those nursing at the breast). Not even newlyweds were exempted (cf. Deut. 24:5).