Lexical Summary eggizó: To draw near, to approach, to come near Original Word: ἐγγίζω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance approach, be at hand, draw near. From eggus; to make near, i.e. (reflexively) approach -- approach, be at hand, come (draw) near, be (come, draw) nigh. see GREEK eggus HELPS Word-studies 1448 eggízō (from 1451 /eggýs, "near") – properly, has drawn close (come near). 1448 (eggízō) occurs 14 times in the Greek perfect tense (indicative mood) in the NT which expresses "extreme closeness, immediate imminence – even a presence ('It is here') because the moment of this coming happened (i.e. at the beginning of Jesus' ministry)" (J. Schlosser). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom eggus Definition to make near, refl. to come near NASB Translation approached (10), approaching (7), came (1), came close (1), came near (1), come near (2), comes near (2), coming near (1), draw near (3), drawing near (2), hand (7), near (5). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1448: ἐγγίζωἐγγίζω; imperfect ἠγγιζον; Attic future ἐγγιω (James 4:8 (Alexander Buttmann (1873) 37 (32); with § 13, 1 c.)); 1 aorist ἤγγισα; perfect ἤγγικα (ἐγγύς); in Greek writings from Polybius and Diodorus on; the Sept. for נִגַשׁ and קָרַב. 1. transitive, to bring near, to join one thing to another: Polybius 8, 6, 7; the Sept., Genesis 48:10; Isaiah 5:8. 2. intransitive, to draw or come near, to approach; absolutely, Matthew 21:34; Luke 18:40; ( Strong’s Greek 1448 expresses the idea of approach—whether spatial, temporal, or relational. In the New Testament it supplies a refrain that God’s redemptive purposes, climactic judgments, or gracious invitations are never distant but pressing upon the present moment. The word group occurs forty-two times and spans Gospel narrative, apostolic exhortation, and eschatological warning, uniting Scripture’s unfolding account in a call to respond because the decisive reality “has drawn near.” Old Testament Background In the Septuagint ἐγγίζω often renders Hebrew qārab, a covenant term for bringing sacrifices (Leviticus 1:14), encroaching armies (Isaiah 8:7), or Yahweh’s coming salvation (Isaiah 56:1). The New Testament writers therefore inherit a vocabulary pregnant with the twin possibilities of blessing and judgment, preparing the reader to hear the kingdom’s nearness as both promise and summons. Proclamation of the Nearness of the Kingdom The first New Testament herald to use ἐγγίζω is John the Baptist: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Jesus immediately echoes the same cry (Matthew 4:17) and commissions the Twelve with identical words (Matthew 10:7). Mark summarizes the Lord’s preaching: “The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Here “drawn near” marks the decisive in-breaking of God’s reign in the person of Christ. The kingdom is not merely future; it stands present in Christ’s words and works, demanding repentance and faith (Luke 10:9, 11). Yet the verb’s perfect tense (“has drawn near”) keeps an eschatological edge—the kingdom is inaugurated but still advancing toward consummation. Eschatological Nearness: The Day of the Lord Jesus warns against premature speculations: “See to it that you are not led astray… the time is near” (Luke 21:8). The verb becomes a touchstone for imminence in the apostolic writings: • “The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near” (Romans 13:12). Believers are urged to holy living, mutual love, and alertness precisely because God’s climactic intervention is imminent. The certainty, not the calendar date, governs Christian ethics. Physical Nearness in Narrative Accounts Several occurrences record simple approach in space: • Jesus approaches Jerusalem (Luke 19:29, Mark 11:1). Yet even these narrative uses reinforce theological themes: the Messiah drawing near to the city that will reject Him (Luke 19:41) or to suffering humanity (Luke 7:12). Physical approach becomes a living parable of divine compassion or impending judgment. Relational Nearness to God James places ἐγγίζω at the heart of practical piety: “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). The imperative rests on covenant grace; access to God is open, yet must be pursued with repentance (“Cleanse your hands… purify your hearts”). Hebrews deepens this privilege. Because the law “made nothing perfect, and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God” (Hebrews 7:19), believers may “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (implicit in 4:16; verb explicit in 7:19, 10:25). The once-for-all priesthood of Christ secures unbroken nearness for His people. Priestly and Worship Implications In Hebrews 10:25 the “Day drawing near” motivates corporate assembly. Gathering is not optional fellowship but priestly responsibility in view of approaching consummation. Likewise, Philippians 2:30 describes Epaphroditus who “nearly died” (literally “drew near to death”) for the work of Christ—a living sacrifice language that echoes Levitical approach to the altar. Christian service is offered in conscious proximity to eternity. Evangelistic Contrast: Near yet Unreceived Luke records Jesus’ lament over Jerusalem as He draws near (Luke 19:41), and His warning that if unrepentant towns reject the kingdom message, nevertheless “be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near” (Luke 10:11). The nearness that saves also condemns when ignored. Acts echoes the tragedy: Stephen tells of the promise to Abraham that “was drawing near to be fulfilled” (Acts 7:17), yet his audience resists. Nearness intensifies accountability. Pastoral and Ministry Applications 1. Urgency in preaching: The kingdom’s nearness frames every gospel proclamation; delay is not neutral. Doctrinal Observations • Inauguration–Consummation: ἐγγίζω bridges present realization and future fulfillment. Summary Strong’s 1448 threads through Scripture as a trumpet call: God’s reign, His help, His judgment, and His salvation are not distant. In Christ the kingdom has drawn near; through the Spirit believers draw near to God; and with every passing moment the Day draws nearer still. Therefore repent, believe, persevere, worship, and proclaim—because in every sense that matters, it is already upon us. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 3:2 V-RIA-3SGRK: λέγων Μετανοεῖτε ἤγγικεν γὰρ ἡ NAS: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. KJV: the kingdom of heaven is at hand. INT: saying Repent has drawn near indeed the Matthew 4:17 V-RIA-3S Matthew 10:7 V-RIA-3S Matthew 21:1 V-AIA-3P Matthew 21:34 V-AIA-3S Matthew 26:45 V-RIA-3S Matthew 26:46 V-RIA-3S Mark 1:15 V-RIA-3S Mark 11:1 V-PIA-3P Mark 14:42 V-RIA-3S Luke 7:12 V-AIA-3S Luke 10:9 V-RIA-3S Luke 10:11 V-RIA-3S Luke 12:33 V-PIA-3S Luke 15:1 V-PPA-NMP Luke 15:25 V-AIA-3S Luke 18:35 V-PNA Luke 18:40 V-APA-GMS Luke 19:29 V-AIA-3S Luke 19:37 V-PPA-GMS Luke 19:41 V-AIA-3S Luke 21:8 V-RIA-3S Luke 21:20 V-RIA-3S Luke 21:28 V-PIA-3S Luke 22:1 V-IIA-3S Strong's Greek 1448 |
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