Topical Encyclopedia
The term "far-off" in the Bible often conveys both literal and metaphorical meanings, referring to physical distance, spiritual separation, or future events. It is used to describe people, places, and times that are distant from the immediate context of the narrative or the speaker.
Physical DistanceIn a literal sense, "far-off" is used to describe geographical distances. For example, in the context of the dispersion of the Israelites, the term can refer to those who are scattered in distant lands. In
Isaiah 49:12 , it is written, "Behold, they will come from far away, from the north and from the west, and from the land of Aswan." This passage highlights the return of the exiles from distant regions, emphasizing God's promise to gather His people from all corners of the earth.
Spiritual SeparationMetaphorically, "far-off" can denote spiritual separation from God. In
Ephesians 2:13 , Paul writes, "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ." Here, the term "far away" signifies the Gentiles' previous estrangement from the covenants and promises of God, which has been reconciled through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. This usage underscores the transformative power of the Gospel to bridge the gap between humanity and God.
Future EventsThe term is also used in prophetic contexts to describe events that are to occur in the distant future. In
Daniel 12:9 , the angel tells Daniel, "Go on your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed until the time of the end." While the phrase "far-off" is not directly used here, the concept of future fulfillment is implicit, as the prophecies are intended for a time yet to come.
Covenantal PromisesIn the context of God's promises, "far-off" can refer to the inclusion of future generations in the blessings of the covenant.
Acts 2:39 states, "For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." This passage, part of Peter's sermon at Pentecost, extends the promise of the Holy Spirit to those who are geographically and temporally distant, indicating the expansive reach of God's redemptive plan.
Judgment and RestorationThe theme of judgment and restoration is also associated with the term "far-off." In
Jeremiah 25:32 , it is declared, "Behold, disaster is spreading from nation to nation; a mighty storm is rising from the ends of the earth." Here, "far-off" nations are included in the scope of God's judgment, yet the prophetic literature often balances this with promises of eventual restoration and peace for those who turn back to God.
In summary, the term "far-off" in the Bible serves as a multifaceted concept that encompasses physical distance, spiritual estrangement, future events, and the broad reach of God's promises and judgments. It reflects the overarching biblical narrative of separation and reconciliation, exile and return, and the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive purposes for all people.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
a.) Remote; as, the far-off distance. Cf. Far-off, under Far, adv.
Greek
4206. porro --far off...far off. Part of Speech: Adverb; Adverb, Comparative Transliteration: porro Phonetic
Spelling: (por'-rho) Short Definition: far,
far off Definition: far,
far off...3112. makran -- a long way, far
... Word Origin fem. acc. sing. of makros Definition a long way, far NASB Word Usage
distance (1), far (5), far away (1),far off (2), long way (1).far off....
4207. porrothen -- from afar
... from afar. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: porrothen Phonetic Spelling:
(por'-rho-then) Short Definition: from afar,far off Definition: from afar,far...
3467. muopazo -- to be shortsighted
... Word Origin from muops (shortsighted) Definition to be shortsighted NASB
Word Usage short-sighted (1). cannot seefar off. From...
Strong's Hebrew
1972. hala -- to be removedfar off... 1971, 1972. hala. 1973 . to be removed
far off. Transliteration: hala Phonetic
Spelling: (haw-law') Short Definition: outcasts.
... cast
far off.
...1023. beth hammerchaq -- Beth-ham-Merchak, a place in Palestine...
... Beth-ham-Merchak, a place in Palestine -- place that wasfar off. Transliteration:
beth hammerchaq Phonetic Spelling: (bayth ham-mer-khawk') Short Definition...
7350. rachoq -- distant, far, a distance
... distant, far, a distance NASB Word Usage afar (19), afar* (1), distance (11), distant
(7), distant future (1), far (31), far away (1),far off (2), farthest (1...
5048. neged -- in front of, in sight of, opposite to
... under (1). about, over against, aloof,far off, from, over, presence, other
side,. From nagad; a front, ie Part opposite; specifically...
Library
NeighboursFar Off
... VOLUME I: ST. LUKE Chaps. I to XII NEIGHBOURSFAR OFF.... I. The main purpose, then,
is to show howfar off men may be, and yet be neighbours....
A Righteousness Near and a Swift Salvation
... 'Hearken unto Me, ye stout-hearted, that are far from righteousness: I bring near
My righteousness; it shall not befar off, and My salvation shall not tarry...
A Common Mistake and Lame Excuse
... '... He prophesieth of the times that arefar off.'"Ezekiel 12:27.... Now is it true
that 'he prophesies of times that arefar off'? Yes! and No! Yes!...
Dishonest Tenants
... God was as near as before, but He seemedfar off. Thus Jesus has, in like
manner, gone 'into a far country to receive a kingdom...
Now Suppose that While You were Writing This, as You Tell us You...
... some Prophet had stood by you and had cried out: "O writer, suppress those words,
restrain your pen; for the time is coming and is notfar off when you will...
The Epistle to the Laodiceans the Proper Designation is to the...
... "But now in Christ," says he, "ye who were sometimesfar off are made nigh
by His blood." [5987] From whom were theyfar off before?...
The Heavenly Father
... truly and wisely enough"Everything which we see near us, perishes at last: why should
not everything which we can see, howeverfar off, however great, perish...
The Comfort of the Milk
... The baptismal day was put asfar off as possible, from the conviction that the sins
committed after the sacrament were much more serious than those which went...
Whether Evil of Nature is an Object of Fear?
... First, through being remote andfar off: for, on account of the distance,
such a thing is considered as though it were not to be....
The virgin Mother to Her Child
... He that isfar off that desires Thy Bread, and he that is near that loves
Thy Image, are alike.... They that werefar off rejoiced!...
Thesaurus
Far-off (14 Occurrences)Far-
off. Farms,
Far-
off. Far-scattered . Noah Webster's Dictionary (a.)
Remote; as, the
far-
off distance. Cf.
Far-
off, under Far, adv.
...Nearby (14 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Deuteronomy 20:15 Thus you shall do to all the cities which are very
faroff from you, which are not of the cities of these nations. (See NAS NIV)....
Distant (56 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Far separated;faroff; not near; remote; -- in place, time, consanguinity,
or connection; as, distant times; distant relatives....
Distance (75 Occurrences)
... my child. (BBE RSV). Genesis 22:4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his
eyes, and saw the placefaroff. (See NAS NIV). Genesis 30...
Watching (111 Occurrences)
... Revelation 18:15 The traders in these things, by which their wealth was increased,
will be watchingfaroff for fear of her punishment, weeping and crying; (BBE...
Future (88 Occurrences)
... 2 Samuel 7:19 And this was only a small thing to you, O Lord God; but your words
have even been about thefar-off future of your servant's family, O Lord God!...
Wander (43 Occurrences)
... Psalms 55:2 Attend unto me, and answer me: I wander about in my plaint, and I moan
aloud, (DBY). Psalms 55:7 Behold, then I would wanderfaroff....
Overtake (113 Occurrences)
... (WEB JPS ASV BBE NAS RSV NIV). Genesis 44:4 When they had gone out of the city,
and were not yetfaroff, Joseph said to his steward, "Up, follow after the men....
Rear (46 Occurrences)
... Joshua 8:4 and commandeth them, saying, 'See, ye are liers in wait against the city,
at the rear of the city, ye go not veryfaroff from the city, and all of...
Countries (86 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Isaiah 23:7 Is this the town which was full of joy, whose start goes
back to times long past, whose wanderings took her intofar-off countries? (BBE)...
Resources
How far is too far? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of the Parable of the Prodigal Son? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the king of the North in Daniel 11? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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