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נָגַשׁ

𐤍𐤂𐤔

nâgash

H5066 verb

SILEX Entry

Root נגשׁ to approach, to draw near, to bring near

Definition

To approach, come near, or draw close, whether physically, relationally, or in a ritual or legal context. The verb במיוחד is used for physical proximity (approaching a place or person), but also in contexts of initiating speech, confrontation, violent engagement, or ritual act (such as presenting offerings). In some contexts, it carries the sense of bringing near (causative), either an object or oneself. The semantic range includes approach, advance, access (including in ritual settings), present (especially offerings), come forward (in legal or interrogative contexts), attack (as an enemy), and, euphemistically, to have sexual relations.

Semantic Range

to approach, draw near (physically or relationally), to come forward (to speak or intercede), to present (offerings or cases), to bring near (causative), to attack (as an enemy), to engage sexually (euphemistically), to participate or access (ritually), to confront or negotiate

Root / Etymology

Root: נגשׁ. The root generally means 'to approach, draw near.' The verb in various stems has both intransitive ('to come near') and transitive/causative ('to bring near') nuances. Derivatives include terms for 'approach' or 'bringing near' in ritual and legal settings.

Historical & Contextual Notes

In the Hebrew Bible, נָגַשׁ is widely used in both literal and figurative senses, from the patriarchal period through the post-exilic era. In legal and narrative contexts, it often denotes coming forward to speak or petition (e.g., Abraham 'approaches' YHWH to intercede for Sodom, Genesis 18:23), or presenting a complaint or request. In ritual texts (especially Priestly sources), it is used for bringing offerings or presenting oneself before YHWH, highlighting both physical and symbolic proximity to the divine presence (e.g., Leviticus 1:5; Numbers 16:9). In some passages, it is employed in military contexts (to attack or engage in battle; e.g., Joshua 8:5), or for relational proximity (euphemistically for sexual relations, as in Genesis 20:4; cf. parallel uses in ancient Near Eastern texts). In narrative, נָגַשׁ frequently signals a moment of negotiation, confrontation, or significant action. The causative (hiphil) often indicates bringing a person or object near, especially in cultic rituals. Later translations, including English versions, often use general terms like 'come near,' 'bring near,' or 'offer,' which may not fully capture the range of ritual or social nuances. The word overlaps in meaning, but is distinct from קָרַב (qarav, 'to approach, be brought near'), which is also frequently used in ritual and legal settings; נָגַשׁ can carry stronger connotations of initiative, confrontation, or engagement. There is no evidence in the biblical period for a specialized religious meaning equivalent to later concepts of 'worshiping' or 'worship.' English translations occasionally render the verb as 'present' or 'offer,' especially for offerings, but these are context-dependent expansions rather than strict lexical equivalents.

Original Strong's Gloss (1890)

a primitive root; to be or come (causatively, bring) near (for any purpose); euphemistically, to lie with a woman; as an enemy, to attack; religious 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.

Bantu Hebrew

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Root Family

נגשׁ (n-g-sh) — approach, draw near, bring near

Word Forms

55 distinct forms

SIDANCE Surface Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1 Occurrences
H5066-40 וַ/יִּגַּ֥שׁ vayigash HC/Vqw3ms and drew near and he approached 19
H5066-42 וַֽ/יִּגְּשׁ֖וּ vayigeshu HC/Vqw3mp and they approached and they drew near 11
H5066-53 יִגַּ֥שׁ yigash HVqi3ms come near he will draw near 6
H5066-38 וַ/יַּגֶּשׁ vayagesh HC/Vhw3ms and he brought near and he brought near 5
H5066-10 הַגִּ֤שָׁ/ה hagishah HVhv2ms/Sh Bring near bring near 5
H5066-11 הַגִּ֣שׁוּ hagishu HVhv2mp Bring Bring near! 4
H5066-48 וְ/נִגַּ֨שׁ venigash HC/VNq3ms and he will approach and he drew near 4
H5066-22 נִגַּ֥שׁ nigash HVNp3ms approached he drew near 4
H5066-55 יִגְּשׁוּ֙ yigeshu HVqi3mp Let them come near they will draw near 3
H5066-05 גְּשָׁ/ה geshah HVqv2ms/Sh come near Draw near! 3

Occurrences in Scripture

125 total occurrences

SIDANCE Reference Word Transliteration Morphology Common SIBI-P1
H5066-40 Genesis 18:23 וַ/יִּגַּ֥שׁ vayigash HC/Vqw3ms drew near and he approached
H5066-04 Genesis 19:9 גֶּשׁ gesh HVqv2ms Stand back / Get out of the way Approach!
H5066-42 Genesis 19:9 וַֽ/יִּגְּשׁ֖וּ vayigeshu HC/Vqw3mp and they drew near / and came near and they drew near
H5066-05 Genesis 27:21 גְּשָׁ/ה geshah HVqv2ms/Sh come near Draw near!
H5066-40 Genesis 27:22 וַ/יִּגַּ֧שׁ vayigash HC/Vqw3ms went near and he approached
H5066-10 Genesis 27:25 הַגִּ֤שָׁ/ה hagishah HVhv2ms/Sh Bring near bring near
H5066-38 Genesis 27:25 וַ/יַּגֶּשׁ vayagesh HC/Vhw3ms And he brought and he brought near
H5066-05 Genesis 27:26 גְּשָׁ/ה geshah HVqv2ms/Sh come near Draw near!
H5066-40 Genesis 27:27 וַ/יִּגַּשׁ֙ vayigash HC/Vqw3ms he came near and he approached
H5066-40 Genesis 29:10 וַ/יִּגַּ֣שׁ vayigash HC/Vqw3ms and drew near and he approached
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