Lexical Summary
nagash: To draw near, approach, come near
Original Word:נָגַשׁ
Part of Speech:Verb
Transliteration:nagash
Pronunciation:naw-gash'
Phonetic Spelling:(naw-gash')
KJV: (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
NASB:came near, come near, approached, bring, brought, approach, draw near
Word Origin:[a primitive root]
1. to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose)
2. euphemistically, to lie with a woman
3. as an enemy, to attack
4. relig. to worship
5. causatively, to present
6. (figuratively) to adduce an argument
7. by reversal, to stand back
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
Definitionto draw near, approach
NASB Translationapproach (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
[]
125 , less frequently synonym of q. v. (Late Hebrew
id. Hiph`il (rare) and derivatives ); —
68ImperfectExodus 24:14 +,Psalm 91:7,Genesis 18:23 +; 3 feminine singularGenesis 33:7; 2masculine singularIsaiah 65:5; 3masculine pluralIsaiah 41:1 +,Exodus 24:2,Job 41:8 (Baer; van d. H. ); 3 feminine pluralGenesis 33:6, etc.;Imperative2 Samuel 1:15,Genesis 19:9,Genesis 27:21 2t.; feminine singular ;Ruth 2:14, etc.;Infinitive constructJudges 20:23 +; suffixGenesis 33:3;Exodus 28:43 2t.; —draw orcome near,1 human subject: followed by personGenesis 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 toEzekiel 44:13, compareJeremiah 30:21b, also followed by of altarExodus 28:43;Exodus 30:20;Leviticus 21:23 and absolute,Leviticus 21:21 (all P or H); followed by of thing alsoNumbers 8:16; followed by personGenesis 33:3 (J), of thingJudges 9:52; followed by personEzekiel 9:6, of thingEzekiel 44:13; followed by personIsaiah 65:5 ("" ); inAmos 9:10 read (forHiph`il compare We GASm Dr Now; "" ); followed bydraw near for battleJudges 20:23;Jeremiah 46:3;2 Samuel 10:13 =1 Chronicles 19:14 (+ person); followed by accusative of person1 Samuel 9:18;1 Samuel 30:21, of thingNumbers 4:19 (P), but accusative difficult; Dr reads for1 Samuel 9:18;Numbers 4:19, compare Klo HPS; in1 Samuel 30:21 Dr takes =with; followed byhither,1 Samuel 14:38;Ruth 2:14; absoluteGenesis 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; + ), + 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 especiallyGenesis 19:9 litapproach thither! i.e. move away ! compareIsaiah 46:20move away for me (make room for methat I may dwell ("" ).
inanimate subjectJob 41:8one to another they approach (fit closely together; of scales of crocodile ). —
not in D.
PerfectGenesis 33:7 +; 3 feminine singularDeuteronomy 25:9; 3masculine pluralExodus 34:32 +;2 Samuel 11:20,21;Participle pluralExodus 19:22; —draw near =
(and substitute for it in D): — followed by personDeuteronomy 25:9;1 Kings 20:13;Ezra 9:1, of priestly approach to YahwehExodus 19:22 (J),Jeremiah 30:21; followed by of thingExodus 20:21;Exodus 24:2 (both E),2 Samuel 11:20,21,Deuteronomy 25:1; followed by personAmos 9:13; followed by1 Samuel 7:10; absoluteGenesis 33:7 (J),Deuteronomy 20:2 ("" ),Deuteronomy 21:5;Exodus 34:32 (P), so figurative of worshipIsaiah 29:13.
Perfect3masculine singular suffix consecutiveExodus 21:6 (twice in verse),Leviticus 2:8; 3plural2 Samuel 17:29; 2masculine pluralAmos 5:25;Imperfect jussive Job 40:19;Genesis 27:25;Judges 6:19; 3feminine singularAmos 9:10,1 Samuel 28:25;2 Samuel 13:11; 3masculine pluralIsaiah 41:22; 2masculine pluralMalachi 1:8,Malachi 1:8,Amos 6:3, etc.;Imperative masculine singularGenesis 27:25 +; masculine plural1 Samuel 13:9 +;ParticipleMalachi 2:12; plural constructMalachi 3:3, etc.; —cause to approach, bring near, bring, followed by person (usually object accusative of thing, rarely personExodus 21:6 (twice in verse);1 Samuel 15:32;Genesis 48:10 compareGenesis 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 byLeviticus 2:8 (P; of sacrifice);Malachi 1:7 (sacrifice); personGenesis 27:25 (twice in verse) (E),1 Samuel 30:7;2 Samuel 17:29 (read Th We Klo Kit, compare Dr), of sacrificeAmos 5:25;Malachi 2:12;Malachi 3:3; person1 Samuel 28:25; 2Chronicles 29:23; no prepositionExodus 32:6 (J),1 Samuel 14:18,34;1 Samuel 23:9;1 Samuel 30:7;Judges 6:19 (following ),Amos 6:3;1 Kings 5:1;Leviticus 8:14 (P), of sacrifice alsoMalachi 1:8 (),Malachi 1:8 ("" ); figurative (objectproofs, evidences)Isaiah 41:21 ("" ),Isaiah 41:22 (+ ), compareIsaiah 45:21 ("" );Job 40:19 let him that made him (the hippotamus)draw near his sword, is dubious; Du []who is made ruler of its fellows (other conjectures see Di Bu);Amos 9:10 read
q. v. ).
Perfect3masculine plural2 Samuel 3:34 (Ginsb thy feethave not been brought near (put into)fetters; ParticipleMalachi 1:11it (impersonal)is offered to my name.
Imperative masculine pluralIsaiah 45:20draw near! ("" ).
see II. . see .
Topical Lexicon
OverviewStrong’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; echoingEphesians 2:13).
Ministry Application
1. Worship: Biblical worship centers on drawing near through Christ alone; every service echoes Leviticus.
2. Prayer: Intercessors, like Abraham and Elijah, plead boldly yet humbly.
3. Holiness: Unauthorized approaches warn against casual treatment of divine things.
4. Mission: God’s nearness motivates outreach—inviting the nations to approach the throne of grace.
5. Pastoral Care: The verb models compassionate presence; shepherds “come near” the hurting as God does.
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 yiggəšū
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