Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "approaching" often signifies drawing near to God, both physically and spiritually. This theme is prevalent throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of seeking a closer relationship with the Divine, as well as the conditions and attitudes necessary for such an approach.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the idea of approaching God is frequently associated with the tabernacle and temple worship. The Israelites were given specific instructions on how to approach God, particularly through the sacrificial system.
Leviticus 9:7 states, "Then Moses said to Aaron, 'Approach the altar and sacrifice your sin offering and your burnt offering, making atonement for yourself and the people.'" This highlights the necessity of atonement and purification before coming near to God.
The Psalms also reflect the desire to approach God with a pure heart.
Psalm 24:3-4 asks, "Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear deceitfully." This passage underscores the moral and spiritual prerequisites for approaching God.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the concept of approaching God takes on a more personal and direct dimension through Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 4:16 encourages believers, "Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." This verse highlights the newfound access to God made possible through Christ's atoning work, allowing believers to come boldly before God.
The Gospels also depict individuals approaching Jesus with faith and humility. In
Mark 5:25-34 , a woman suffering from a bleeding condition approaches Jesus in a crowd, believing that touching His garment would heal her. Her faith and action exemplify the personal approach to Christ that results in healing and restoration.
Spiritual ImplicationsApproaching God is not merely a physical act but involves a heart posture of reverence, humility, and faith.
James 4:8 exhorts, "Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." This call to repentance and purity is essential for those seeking a closer relationship with God.
The act of approaching God is also linked to prayer and worship. In
Matthew 6:9 , Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name." This model prayer begins with an acknowledgment of God's holiness and a desire to approach Him with reverence.
ConclusionThe biblical theme of approaching God is rich with theological significance, emphasizing the need for atonement, purity, and faith. Through Christ, believers are granted direct access to God, inviting them to draw near with confidence and sincerity.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
p. pr. & vb. n.) of Approach.
2. (n.) The act of ingrafting a sprig or shoot of one tree into another, without cutting it from the parent stock; -- called, also, inarching and grafting by approach.
Greek
1967. epiousios -- for the coming day, for subsistence... day. [1967 () is cognate with 1966 , "the next day," "the following (
approaching)
day," "the coming day," see the dictionary.]. 1967
...2428. hiketeria -- supplication
... supplication. From a derivative of the base of hikanos (through the idea ofapproaching
for a favor); intreaty -- supplication. see GREEK hikanos....
3134. marana tha -- (our) Lord, come!
... Maranatha. Of Chaldee origin (meaning our Lord has come); maranatha, ie An exclamation
of theapproaching divine judgment -- Maran-atha. (tha) -- 1 Occurrence....
4334. proserchomai -- to approach, to draw near
... Word Origin from pros and erchomai Definition to approach, to draw near NASB Word
Usage agree (1), approached (2),approaching (1), came (64), came forward (2...
4845. sumpleroo -- to fill up completely, hence to fulfill
... Word Origin from sun and pleroo Definition to fill up completely, hence to fulfill
NASB Word Usageapproaching (1), come (1), swamped (1). fulfill, accomplish....
4317. prosago -- to bring or lead to
... Word Origin from pros and ago Definition to bring or lead to NASB Word Usage
approaching (1), bring (2), brought (2). bring, draw near....
1783. enteuxis -- a petition, ie spec. supplication
... Feminine Transliteration: enteuxis Phonetic Spelling: (ent'-yook-sis) Short Definition:
a petition, prayer, intercession Definition: (lit:approaching the king...
1448. eggizo -- to make near, refl. to come near
... to come near NASB Word Usage approached (10),approaching (7), came (1), came close
(1), came near (1), come near (2), comes near (2), coming near (1), draw...
4137. pleroo -- to make full, to complete
... Word Origin from pleres Definition to make full, to complete NASB Word Usage accomplish
(1), accomplished (1), amply supplied (1),approaching (1), complete (1...
Strong's Hebrew
7131. qareb --approaching... 7130, 7131. qareb. 7132 .
approaching. Transliteration: qareb Phonetic
Spelling: (kaw-rabe') Short Definition: near. Word Origin
...7132. qirbah -- an approach
... Word Origin from qarab Definition an approach NASB Word Usage nearness (2).approaching,
draw near. From qarab; approach --approaching, draw near....
7126. qarab -- to come near, approach
... to come near, approach NASB Word Usage accept (1), appear (1), approach (11), approach
to offer (1), approached (9), approaches (3),approaching (2), assisted...
Library
Approaching Land.
... HEAVEN. LVIII.APPROACHING LAND. Dyn dyeithr ydwyf yma 8,7,8,7. (Thought
to have been suggested to the seraphic Bard, Williams, of...
Approaching Doom
... National Retribution Chapter 35Approaching Doom. The first years of Jehoiakim's
reign were filled with warnings ofapproaching doom....
AnApproaching Recognition.
... Book IX. Chapter XXXIII."AnApproaching Recognition. Then I:answered:
"How know you that she cohabited with her slave abroad, and...
The Armies ThusApproaching Each Other, Seemed on the Eve of a...
... Chap. XLVI. The armies thusapproaching each other, seemed on the eve of a battle.?
The armies thusapproaching each other, seemed on the eve of a battle....
The Day NowApproaching Whereon She was to Depart this Life which...
... Book IX Chapter X The day nowapproaching whereon she was to depart this
life which day Thou well? The day nowapproaching whereon...
But what a Spectacle is that Fast-Approaching Advent of Our Lord.....
... Chapter XXX. But what a spectacle is that fast-approaching advent of our
Lord? But what a spectacle is that fast-approaching advent...
And Then the Future Captivity under an Oppressive King is...
... Book 4 Chapter 18. And then the future captivity under an oppressive king
is announced asapproaching? 18. And then the future...
Lii. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly Anxiety, Watchfulness, and his...
... From Second Passover Until Third.(Time: One Year.) LII. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly
Anxiety, Watchfulness, and HisApproaching Passion. (Galilee.)...
Conclusion Contrast Between the Statements of Hermogenes and the...
... But it is not thus that the prophets and the apostles have told us that the
world was made by God merely appearing andapproaching Matter....
Curious views Respecting God's Method of Working with Matter...
... You, however, affirm that it is not by pervading Matter that God makes the world,
but simply by appearing, andapproaching it, just as beauty affects [6589] a...
Thesaurus
Approaching (24 Occurrences)...Approaching (24 Occurrences).
... (See NAS). Luke 22:1 Meanwhile the Festival of the
Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was
approaching, (WEY NAS NIV).
...Jewish (49 Occurrences)
... purification) (WEY NAS RSV). John 2:13 But the Jewish Passover wasapproaching,
and for this Jesus went up to Jerusalem. (WEY NIV). John 3:1...
Festival (62 Occurrences)
... punishment; (WEY). Luke 22:1 Meanwhile the Festival of the Unleavened Bread,
called the Passover, wasapproaching, (WEY). John 2:23...
Alarm (26 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Any sound or information intended to give notice ofapproaching danger;
a warning sound to arouse attention; a warning of danger....
Nahum (3 Occurrences)
... The subject of this prophecy is theapproaching complete and final destruction of
Nineveh, the capital of the great and at that time flourishing Assyrian empire...
Appropriate (19 Occurrences)
Version
... tenth century. Only five manuscripts of the New Testamentapproaching to
completeness are more ancient than this dividing date. The...
Zoology
... accuracy of the observation. The oryx is fairly common in Northwestern Arabia,
approaching the limits of Edom. Here, then, are six...
Nathanael (6 Occurrences)
... He responded nobly to the call, and onapproaching Jesus was received with the words:
"Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" (John 1:47)....
Naioth (5 Occurrences)
... Onapproaching it in pursuit of David, Saul was overcome by the Spirit of God, and
conducted himself like one "possessed," giving rise to the proverb, "Is Saul...
Resources
What signs indicate that the end times are approaching? | GotQuestions.orgQuestions about the End Times (All) | GotQuestions.orgHow much of a role should media have in worship services? | GotQuestions.orgApproaching: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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