Lexical Summary nagash: To draw near, approach, come near Original Word: נָגַשׁ Strong's Exhaustive Concordance make to approach nigh, bring forth, hither, near, cause to come hither, near, nigh, give place, A primitive root; to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; relig. To worship; causatively, to present; figuratively, to adduce an argument; by reversal, to stand back -- (make to) approach (nigh), bring (forth, hither, near), (cause to) come (hither, near, nigh), give place, go hard (up), (be, draw, go) near (nigh), offer, overtake, present, put, stand. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. root Definition to draw near, approach NASB Translation approach (7), approached (12), bring (10), bring here (1), bring forth (1), bring forward (1), bring near (2), bringing (1), brought (10), brought close (2), came close (2), came closer (1), came forward (1), came near (18), come (3), come close (2), come closer (1), come forward (1), come near (14), coming near (1), draw near (7), drew near (5), go (2), go near (3), here (1), make room (1), near (1), offered* (1), overtake (2), present (4), presented (1), presenting (1), presents (1), put (1), set forth (1), stand (1), touch (1), went (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [נָגַשׁ]125 verb draw near, approach, less frequently synonym of קרב q. v. (Late Hebrew id. Hiph`il (rare) and derivatives ); — Qal68 Imperfect יִגַּשׁ Exodus 24:14 +, יִגָּ֑שׁ Psalm 91:7, וַיִּגַּשׁ Genesis 18:23 +; 3 feminine singular וַתִּגַּשׁ Genesis 33:7; 2masculine singular תִּגַּשֿׁ Isaiah 65:5; 3masculine plural יִגְּשׁוּ Isaiah 41:1 +, יִגָּ֑שׁוּ Exodus 24:2, יִגַּ֑שׁוּ Job 41:8 (Baer; van d. H. יִנָּ֑שׁוּ); 3 feminine plural וַתִּגַּשְׁןָ Genesis 33:6, etc.; Imperative גַּשׁ 2 Samuel 1:15, גֶּשֿׁ Genesis 19:9, גְּשָׁה Genesis 27:21 2t.; feminine singular גְּשִׁי; Ruth 2:14, etc.; Infinitive construct לָגֶ֫שֶׁת Judges 20:23 +; suffix גִּשְׁתּוֺ Genesis 33:3; גִּשְׁתָּם Exodus 28:43 2t.; — draw or come near, 1 human subject: followed by אֶלֿ person Genesis 27:22; Genesis 43:19; Genesis 44:18; Genesis 45:4 (all J), Exodus 19:15 (of sexual intercourse), Exodus 24:2; Numbers 32:16; Joshua 14:6 (all E), Exodus 34:30; Joshua 21:1 (P), + 10 t. elsewhere (not D), + Psalm 91:7 (subject pestilence personified); of priestly approach to ׳י Ezekiel 44:13, compare Jeremiah 30:21b, also followed by אֶלֿ of altar Exodus 28:43; Exodus 30:20; Leviticus 21:23 and absolute, Leviticus 21:21 (all P or H); followed by אֶלֿ of thing also Numbers 8:16; followed by עַדֿ person Genesis 33:3 (J), of thing Judges 9:52; followed by עַלֿ person Ezekiel 9:6, of thing Ezekiel 44:13; followed by בְּ person Isaiah 65:5 ("" קָרַב אֶלֿ); in Amos 9:10 read תִּגַּשׁ בַעֲדֵנוּ (for ᵑ0 תַּגִּישׁ Hiph`il compare We GASm Dr Now; "" קִדֵּם); followed by לַמִּלְחָמָה draw near for battle Judges 20:23; Jeremiah 46:3; 2 Samuel 10:13 = 1 Chronicles 19:14 (+ לִפְנֵי person); followed by accusative of person 1 Samuel 9:18; 1 Samuel 30:21, of thing Numbers 4:19 (P), but accusative difficult; Dr reads אֶלֿ for אֶתֿ 1 Samuel 9:18; Numbers 4:19, compare Klo HPS; in 1 Samuel 30:21 Dr takes אֶתֿ = with; followed by הֲלוֺם hither, 1 Samuel 14:38; Ruth 2:14; absolute Genesis 18:23; Genesis 27:21; Genesis 29:10; Genesis 33:6,7; Genesis 45:4 (all J), Exodus 24:2 (E), Joshua 8:11 (E; + ויבאו), + 9 t. (not P, D),+ Genesis 27:26,27 (E), Joshua 3:9 (J), 2 Samuel 1:15; 2Chronicles 29:31 (all Imperative followed by 2nd Imperative), + Genesis 19:9 (J), Leviticus 21:21 (twice in verse) (H), 2 Kings 4:27 (all followed by Infinitive purpose); Note especially גֶּשׁהָֿ֫לְאָה Genesis 19:9 lit approach thither! i.e. move away ! compare גְּשָׁהלִֿי וְאֵשׁ֑בָה Isaiah 46:20 move away for me (make room for me that I may dwell ("" צַרלִֿי הַמָּקוֺם). 2 inanimate subject בְּאֶחָד יִגַּ֫שׁוּ אֶחָד Job 41:8 one to another they approach (fit closely together; of scales of crocodile ). — Qal not in D. Niph`al Perfect נִגַּשׁ Genesis 33:7 +; 3 feminine singular וְנִגְּשָׁה Deuteronomy 25:9; 3masculine plural נִגְּשׁוּ Exodus 34:32 +; נִגַּשְׁתֶּם 2 Samuel 11:20,21; Participle plural נִגָּשִׁים Exodus 19:22; — draw near = Qal (and substitute for it in D): — followed by אֶלֿ person Deuteronomy 25:9; 1 Kings 20:13; Ezra 9:1, of priestly approach to Yahweh Exodus 19:22 (J), Jeremiah 30:21; followed by אֶלֿ of thing Exodus 20:21; Exodus 24:2 (both E), 2 Samuel 11:20,21, אֶלהַֿמִּשְׁמָּט Deuteronomy 25:1; followed by בְּ person Amos 9:13; followed by לַמִּלְחָמָה 1 Samuel 7:10; absolute Genesis 33:7 (J), Deuteronomy 20:2 ("" קרב), Deuteronomy 21:5; Exodus 34:32 (P), so figurative of worship Isaiah 29:13. Hiph`il Perfect3masculine singular suffix consecutive וְהִגִּישׁוֺ Exodus 21:6 (twice in verse), וְהִגִּישָׁהּ Leviticus 2:8; 3plural הִגִּ֫ישׁוּ 2 Samuel 17:29; 2masculine plural הִגַּשְׁתֶּם Amos 5:25; Imperfect jussive יַגֵּשׁJob 40:19; וַיַגֶּשֿׁ Genesis 27:25; וַיַּגַּ֑שׁ Judges 6:19; 3feminine singular תַּגִּישׁ Amos 9:10, וַתַּגֵּשׁ 1 Samuel 28:25; 2 Samuel 13:11; 3masculine plural יַגִּ֫ישׁוּ Isaiah 41:22; 2masculine plural תַּגִּ֫ישׁוּ Malachi 1:8, תַּגִּישׁוּן Malachi 1:8, וַתַּגִּישׁוּן Amos 6:3, etc.; Imperative masculine singular הַגִּ֫ישָׁה Genesis 27:25 +; masculine plural הַגִּ֫ישׁוּ 1 Samuel 13:9 +; Participle מַגִּישׁ Malachi 2:12; plural construct מַגִּישֵׁי Malachi 3:3, etc.; — cause to approach, bring near, bring, followed by אֶלֿ person (usually object accusative of thing, rarely person Exodus 21:6 (twice in verse); 1 Samuel 15:32; Genesis 48:10 compare Genesis 48:13): — Genesis 48:10,13 (E), Exodus 21:6 (twice in verse) (E), 1 Samuel 13:9; 1 Samuel 14:34; 1 Samuel 15:32; 2 Samuel 13:11 (+ Infinitive purpose), 2 Kings 4:5,6; followed by אֶלהַֿמִּוְבֵּךְַ Leviticus 2:8 (P; of sacrifice); עַלמִֿזְבְּחִי Malachi 1:7 (sacrifice); לְ person Genesis 27:25 (twice in verse) (E), 1 Samuel 30:7; 2 Samuel 17:29 (read וַיַּגִּישׁוּ ᵐ5 Th We Klo Kit, compare Dr), of sacrifice Amos 5:25; Malachi 2:12; Malachi 3:3; לִפְנֵי person 1 Samuel 28:25; 2Chronicles 29:23; no preposition Exodus 32:6 (J), 1 Samuel 14:18,34; 1 Samuel 23:9; 1 Samuel 30:7; Judges 6:19 (following הוציא אֶלֿ), Amos 6:3; 1 Kings 5:1; Leviticus 8:14 (P), of sacrifice also Malachi 1:8 (לִזְבֹּחַ), Malachi 1:8 ("" הקריב); figurative (object proofs, evidences) Isaiah 41:21 ("" קרב), Isaiah 41:22 (+ וַיַּגִּידוּ), compare Isaiah 45:21 ("" הַגִּידוּ); הָעשֹׁוֺ יַגֵּשׁ חַרְבּוֺ Job 40:19 let him that made him (the hippotamus) draw near his sword, is dubious; Du נֹגֵשׂ חֲבֵרָו [י]הֶעָשׂוּ who is made ruler of its fellows (other conjectures see Di Bu); Amos 9:10 read תִּגַּשׁ Qal q. v. ). Hoph`al Perfect3masculine plural לאֹלִֿנְחֻשְׁתַּיִם הֻגַּ֑שׁוּ 2 Samuel 3:34 (Ginsb הֻגָּ֫שׁוּ thy feet have not been brought near (put into) fetters; Participle מֻגָּשׁ לשׁמי Malachi 1:11 it (impersonal) is offered to my name. Hithpa`el Imperative masculine plural הִתְנַגְּשׁוּ Isaiah 45:20 draw near! ("" הִקָּֽבְצוּ יָבֹאוּ). נֵד see II. נדד. נֹד see נוד. Topical Lexicon Overview Strong’s Hebrew 5066, nāgaš, is a dynamic verb of movement denoting “drawing near, stepping forward, presenting oneself or something.” The contexts range from intimate conversations to military engagement, and from priestly ministry to the approach of God Himself. The verb therefore becomes a key theological thread: it describes how sinners may (or may not) come near to the Holy One, how God graciously comes near to His people, and how covenant life is lived out in worship, justice, and warfare. Approach to the Holy One The earliest appearances emphasize reverent nearness. Abraham intercedes, “Abraham approached Him and said, ‘Will You really sweep away the righteous with the wicked?’” (Genesis 18:23). Moses recounts Sinai: “You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain” (Deuteronomy 4:11). Such scenes establish nāgaš as the proper stance of finite creatures before the infinite God—bold yet trembling, permitted yet bounded. Intercessory Approach Nāgaš regularly frames appeals for mercy. Judah “approached him [Joseph] and said, ‘Please, my lord, may your servant speak a word…’” (Genesis 44:18). Elijah “stepped forward” before the altar at Carmel to plead for fire (1 Kings 18:36). The righteous one draws near not on merit but on covenant promises, foreshadowing the ultimate Intercessor (Hebrews 7). Approach in Worship and Sacrifice In Leviticus the word governs the presentation of offerings. “When anyone among you brings an offering (yāqrîb)… let him present (nāgaš) it” (Leviticus 1:2-3). Israelites do not invent worship; they draw near in the prescribed way—through substitutionary blood and priestly mediation. Unauthorized approach (Leviticus 10:1-2; Numbers 16:40) brings death, underscoring holiness and pointing to the perfect sacrifice required for true access (Hebrews 10:19-22). Priestly and Levitical Service God commands, “Have your brothers the Levites… come near to you and assist you” (Numbers 18:2). Priests “come near to minister” (Ezekiel 44:15). Nāgaš defines vocation: the priest’s life is one of continual nearness for others’ sake. Their privileges and restrictions anticipate the believer’s priesthood in Christ. Approach for Judgment Covenantal justice is carried out as the complainant “approaches” the court (Deuteronomy 25:1), armies “draw near” for battle (Judges 20:23; 1 Samuel 17:40), and executioners “come near” the condemned (2 Samuel 1:15). The Day of the Lord is heralded with the same vocabulary: “Woe to you who long for the Day of the Lord! … The Day of the Lord is darkness” (Amos 5:18; cf. Nahum 1:15). The verb thereby warns that to approach God unrepentant is perilous. Approach in Warfare and Confrontation Military usage stresses decisive engagement—Goliath “kept coming closer to David” (1 Samuel 17:41). Armies “drew near” fortified cities (Joshua 8:5). Such texts reveal that covenant faith is lived amid real conflict; Yahweh draws near as warrior to save (Isaiah 41:1). Approach in Human Relationships Nāgaš also describes quotidian nearness: Jacob urges, “Come near so I can feel you, my son” (Genesis 27:21). Ruth “approached quietly” and lay at Boaz’s feet (Ruth 3:7). The verb colors narrations of affection, confrontation, diplomacy, and hospitality, reminding readers that covenant life includes ordinary relationships sanctified by God’s presence. Divine Approach to His People Strikingly, God is subject of nāgaš: “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted” (Psalm 34:18); “You drew near when I called on You; You said, ‘Do not fear’” (Lamentations 3:57). Judgment or salvation hinges on whether God approaches in wrath or grace (Isaiah 41:5-10; Zephaniah 3:2). The Incarnation fulfills the pattern—Immanuel, “God with us,” authorizes the New Covenant summons, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). Eschatological Horizon Prophets join nāgaš to future hope: “Many nations will join themselves to the Lord in that day and will become My people” (Zechariah 2:11). The ultimate assembly sees every redeemed saint “brought near” through the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 7:9-17; echoing Ephesians 2:13). Ministry Application 1. Worship: Biblical worship centers on drawing near through Christ alone; every service echoes Leviticus. Nāgaš therefore binds Scripture together: the God who is holy yet approachable makes a way for His people to come near, and He Himself steps forward to redeem, judge, and dwell among them forever. Forms and Transliterations בְּגִשְׁתָּ֖ם בְּגֶ֥שֶׁת בְגִשְׁתָּ֤ם בגשת בגשתם גְּשָׁה־ גְּשׁ֣וּ גְּשׁוּ־ גִּשְׁתּ֖וֹ גֶּשׁ־ גַּ֣שׁ גֹּ֣שֽׁוּ גֹּ֣שׁוּ גֹּ֤שִֽׁי גֹּ֧שׁוּ גש גש־ גשה־ גשו גשו־ גשי גשתו הִֽגַּשְׁתֶּם־ הִֽתְנַגְּשׁ֥וּ הִגִּ֧ישׁוּ הַגִּ֖ישָׁה הַגִּ֙ישׁוּ֙ הַגִּ֣ישׁוּ הַגִּ֣שׁוּ הַגִּ֤ישׁוּ הַגִּ֤שָׁה הַגִּ֨ישָׁה הַגִּֽישָׁה־ הַנִּגָּשִׁ֥ים הֻגָּ֔שׁוּ הגישה הגישה־ הגישו הגשה הגשו הגשתם־ הנגשים התנגשו וְהִגִּישָׁ֖הּ וְהִגִּישׁ֤וֹ וְהִגִּישׁוֹ֙ וְהַגִּ֔ישׁוּ וְלָגֶ֙שֶׁת֙ וְנִגְּשָׁ֨ה וְנִגְּשׁ֣וּ וְנִגְּשׁ֥וּ וְנִגַּ֣שׁ וְנִגַּ֤שׁ וְנִגַּ֥שׁ וְנִגַּ֨שׁ וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֔וּ וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֖וּ וַֽיִּגְּשׁ֗וּ וַֽיִּגְּשׁוּ֙ וַיִּגְּשׁ֣וּ וַיִּגְּשׁ֤וּ וַיִּגְּשׁ֥וּ וַיִּגְּשׁ֨וּ וַיִּגַּ֖שׁ וַיִּגַּ֛שׁ וַיִּגַּ֞שׁ וַיִּגַּ֣שׁ וַיִּגַּ֤שׁ וַיִּגַּ֥שׁ וַיִּגַּ֧שׁ וַיִּגַּ֨שׁ וַיִּגַּשׁ֙ וַיִּגָּ֑שׁוּ וַיַּגִּ֖שׁוּ וַיַּגִּ֙ישׁוּ֙ וַיַּגִּ֨שׁוּ וַיַּגֵּ֕שׁ וַיַּגֵּ֖שׁ וַיַּגֵּ֤שׁ וַיַּגֵּ֧שׁ וַיַּגֶּשׁ־ וַיַּגַּֽשׁ׃ וַתִּגַּ֧שְׁןָ וַתִּגַּ֧שׁ וַתַּגִּישׁ֖וּן וַתַּגֵּ֥שׁ וַתַּגֵּ֧שׁ וּגְשׁ֖וּ וּמַגִּ֣ישׁ וגשו והגישה והגישו ויגישו ויגש ויגש־ ויגש׃ ויגשו ולגשת ומגיש ונגש ונגשה ונגשו ותגישון ותגש ותגשן יִגְּשׁ֣וּ יִגְּשׁ֤וּ יִגְּשׁוּ֙ יִגַּ֑שׁוּ יִגַּ֔שׁ יִגַּ֖שׁ יִגַּ֥שׁ יִגָּ֑שׁוּ יִגָּֽשׁ׃ יַגִּ֙ישׁוּ֙ יַגֵּ֥שׁ יגישו יגש יגש׃ יגשו לָגֶ֙שֶׁת֙ לָגֶ֥שֶׁת לגשת מִגֶּ֥שֶׁת מַגִּישִׁ֤ים מַגִּישֵׁ֥י מַגִּשִׁ֥ים מֻגָּ֛שׁ מגישי מגישים מגש מגשים מגשת נִגְּשׁ֔וּ נִגְּשׁ֖וּ נִגְּשׁ֨וּ נִגַּ֣שׁ נִגַּ֥שׁ נִגַּשְׁתֶּ֖ם נִגַּשְׁתֶּ֥ם נִגַּשׁ֙ נִגַּשׁ֮ נגש נגשו נגשתם תִּגְּשׁ֖וּ תִּגַּ֔שׁוּ תִּגַּשׁ־ תַגִּ֛ישׁוּ תַגִּ֧ישׁ תַגִּשׁ֨וּן תגיש תגישו תגש־ תגשו תגשון bə·ḡe·šeṯ bə·ḡiš·tām ḇə·ḡiš·tām bəḡešeṯ beGeshet begishTam bəḡištām ḇəḡištām gaš gash gə·šāh- gə·šū gə·šū- geš- gəšāh- gesh geshah geshu gəšū gəšū- giš·tōw gishTo gištōw gō·šî gō·šū Goshi Goshu gōšî gōšū hag·gi·šāh hag·gî·šāh hag·gî·šāh- hag·gi·šū hag·gî·šū haggišāh haggîšāh haggîšāh- hagGishah hagGishu haggišū haggîšū han·nig·gā·šîm hanniggaShim hanniggāšîm hig·gaš·tem- hig·gî·šū higgashtem higgaštem- higGishu higgîšū hiṯ·nag·gə·šū hitnaggeShu hiṯnaggəšū hug·gā·šū hugGashu huggāšū lā·ḡe·šeṯ lāḡešeṯ laGeshet mag·gî·šê mag·gi·šîm mag·gî·šîm maggîšê maggiShei maggiShim maggišîm maggîšîm mig·ge·šeṯ miggešeṯ migGeshet mug·gāš muggāš mugGash nig·gaš nig·gaš·tem nig·gə·šū niggaš nigGash niggashTem niggaštem niggeShu niggəšū ṯag·gî·šū ṯag·gi·šūn ṯag·gîš ṯaggîš tagGish tagGishu taggiShun ṯaggîšū ṯaggišūn tig·ga·šū tig·gaš- tig·gə·šū tiggaš- tiggash tigGashu tiggašū tiggeShu tiggəšū ū·ḡə·šū ū·mag·gîš ugeShu ūḡəšū ūmaggîš umagGish vaiyagGash vaiyaggesh vaiyagGishu vaiyigGash vaiyigGashu vaiyiggeShu vattagGesh vattaggiShun vattigGash vattigGashna vegishTam vehagGishu vehiggiShah vehiggiSho velaGeshet venigGash veniggeShah veniggeShu wat·tag·gêš wat·tag·gî·šūn wat·tig·gaš wat·tig·gaš·nā wattaggêš wattaggîšūn wattiggaš wattiggašnā way·yag·gaš way·yag·gêš way·yag·geš- way·yag·gi·šū way·yag·gî·šū way·yig·gā·šū way·yig·gaš way·yig·gə·šū wayyaggaš wayyaggêš wayyaggeš- wayyaggišū wayyaggîšū wayyiggaš wayyiggāšū wayyiggəšū wə·hag·gî·šū wə·hig·gî·šāh wə·hig·gî·šōw wə·lā·ḡe·šeṯ wə·nig·gaš wə·nig·gə·šāh wə·nig·gə·šū wəhaggîšū wəhiggîšāh wəhiggîšōw wəlāḡešeṯ wəniggaš wəniggəšāh wəniggəšū yag·gêš yag·gî·šū yaggêš yagGesh yagGishu yaggîšū yig·ga·šū yig·gā·šū yig·gaš yig·gāš yig·gə·šū yiggaš yiggāš yigGash yigGashu yiggašū yiggāšū yiggeShu yiggəšūLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 18:23 HEB: וַיִּגַּ֥שׁ אַבְרָהָ֖ם וַיֹּאמַ֑ר NAS: Abraham came near and said, KJV: And Abraham drew near, and said, INT: came Abraham and said Genesis 19:9 Genesis 19:9 Genesis 27:21 Genesis 27:22 Genesis 27:25 Genesis 27:25 Genesis 27:26 Genesis 27:27 Genesis 29:10 Genesis 33:3 Genesis 33:6 Genesis 33:7 Genesis 33:7 Genesis 43:19 Genesis 44:18 Genesis 45:4 Genesis 45:4 Genesis 48:10 Genesis 48:13 Exodus 19:15 Exodus 19:22 Exodus 20:21 Exodus 21:6 Exodus 21:6 125 Occurrences |
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