Approaching
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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 Context

In 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 Context

In 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 Implications

Approaching 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.

Conclusion

The 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 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1967.htm - 7k

2428. hiketeria -- supplication
... supplication. From a derivative of the base of hikanos (through the idea of approaching
for a favor); intreaty -- supplication. see GREEK hikanos. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2428.htm - 7k

3134. marana tha -- (our) Lord, come!
... Maranatha. Of Chaldee origin (meaning our Lord has come); maranatha, ie An exclamation
of the approaching divine judgment -- Maran-atha. (tha) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3134.htm - 6k

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 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4334.htm - 8k

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 Usage approaching (1), come (1), swamped (1). fulfill, accomplish. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4845.htm - 6k

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. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4317.htm - 6k

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 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1783.htm - 8k

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 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1448.htm - 8k

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 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4137.htm - 10k

Strong's Hebrew
7131. qareb -- approaching
... 7130, 7131. qareb. 7132 . approaching. Transliteration: qareb Phonetic
Spelling: (kaw-rabe') Short Definition: near. Word Origin ...
/hebrew/7131.htm - 6k

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. ...
/hebrew/7132.htm - 6k

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 ...
/hebrew/7126.htm - 6k

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 ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/morris/favourite welsh hymns/lviii approaching land.htm

Approaching Doom
... National Retribution Chapter 35 Approaching Doom. The first years of Jehoiakim's
reign were filled with warnings of approaching doom. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 35 approaching doom.htm

An Approaching Recognition.
... Book IX. Chapter XXXIII."An Approaching Recognition. Then I:answered:
"How know you that she cohabited with her slave abroad, and ...
/.../unknown/recognitions of clement /chapter xxxiii an approaching recognition.htm

The Armies Thus Approaching Each Other, Seemed on the Eve of a ...
... Chap. XLVI. The armies thus approaching each other, seemed on the eve of a battle.?
The armies thus approaching each other, seemed on the eve of a battle. ...
/.../of the manner in which the persecutors died/chap xlvi the armies thus.htm

The Day Now Approaching Whereon She was to Depart this Life which ...
... Book IX Chapter X The day now approaching whereon she was to depart this
life which day Thou well? The day now approaching whereon ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter x the day now.htm

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 ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter xxx but what a.htm

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 as approaching? 18. And then the future ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books/chapter 18 and then the.htm

Lii. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly Anxiety, Watchfulness, and his ...
... From Second Passover Until Third.(Time: One Year.) LII. Concerning Hypocrisy, Worldly
Anxiety, Watchfulness, and His Approaching Passion. (Galilee.) ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lii concerning hypocrisy worldly anxiety.htm

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 and approaching Matter. ...
/.../tertullian/against hermogenes/chapter xlv conclusion contrast between the.htm

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, and approaching it, just as beauty affects [6589] a ...
/.../tertullian/against hermogenes/chapter xliv curious views respecting gods.htm

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). ...
/a/approaching.htm - 13k

Jewish (49 Occurrences)
... purification) (WEY NAS RSV). John 2:13 But the Jewish Passover was approaching,
and for this Jesus went up to Jerusalem. (WEY NIV). John 3:1 ...
/j/jewish.htm - 22k

Festival (62 Occurrences)
... punishment; (WEY). Luke 22:1 Meanwhile the Festival of the Unleavened Bread,
called the Passover, was approaching, (WEY). John 2:23 ...
/f/festival.htm - 23k

Alarm (26 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Any sound or information intended to give notice of approaching danger;
a warning sound to arouse attention; a warning of danger. ...
/a/alarm.htm - 16k

Nahum (3 Occurrences)
... The subject of this prophecy is the approaching complete and final destruction of
Nineveh, the capital of the great and at that time flourishing Assyrian empire ...
/n/nahum.htm - 21k

Appropriate (19 Occurrences)

/a/appropriate.htm - 12k

Version
... tenth century. Only five manuscripts of the New Testament approaching to
completeness are more ancient than this dividing date. The ...
/v/version.htm - 37k

Zoology
... accuracy of the observation. The oryx is fairly common in Northwestern Arabia,
approaching the limits of Edom. Here, then, are six ...
/z/zoology.htm - 18k

Nathanael (6 Occurrences)
... He responded nobly to the call, and on approaching Jesus was received with the words:
"Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" (John 1:47). ...
/n/nathanael.htm - 13k

Naioth (5 Occurrences)
... On approaching 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 ...
/n/naioth.htm - 9k

Resources
What signs indicate that the end times are approaching? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about the End Times (All) | GotQuestions.org

How much of a role should media have in worship services? | GotQuestions.org

Approaching: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Approaching (24 Occurrences)

Luke 9:42
While he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him violently. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.
(See NAS)

Luke 9:51
It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem,
(See NAS)

Luke 18:35
It happened, as he came near Jericho, a certain blind man sat by the road, begging.
(See NAS)

Luke 22:1
Meanwhile the Festival of the Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching,
(WEY NAS NIV)

Luke 23:54
And the day was a preparation, and sabbath was approaching,
(YLT)

John 1:47
Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, and said of him, "Look! here is a true Israelite, in whom there is no deceitfulness!"
(WEY NIV)

John 2:13
But the Jewish Passover was approaching, and for this Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
(WEY)

John 6:19
When therefore they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing near to the boat; and they were afraid.
(See NIV)

John 7:2
But the Jewish Festival of the Tent-Pitching was approaching.
(WEY)

Acts 7:17
"But as the time of the promise came close which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,
(See NAS)

Acts 7:23
But when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brothers, the children of Israel.
(See NAS)

Acts 9:3
As he traveled, it happened that he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.
(See NAS)

Acts 10:9
Now on the next day as they were on their journey, and got close to the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray at about noon.
(See NAS NIV)

Acts 22:6
It happened that, as I made my journey, and came close to Damascus, about noon, suddenly there shone from the sky a great light around me.
(See NAS)

Acts 27:27
But when the fourteenth night had come, as we were driven back and forth in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors surmised that they were drawing near to some land.
(See NAS NIV)

Hebrews 10:25
not forsaking our own assembling together, as the custom of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the Day approaching.
(WEB KJV WEY WBS NIV)

1 John 5:14
This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us.
(See NIV)

Genesis 24:63
Isaac went out to meditate in the field at the evening. He lifted up his eyes, and saw, and, behold, there were camels coming.
(See NIV)

Genesis 27:41
Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing with which his father blessed him. Esau said in his heart, "The days of mourning for my father are at hand. Then I will kill my brother Jacob."
(See RSV)

Leviticus 18:14
Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy fathers brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt.
(See NIV)

Deuteronomy 20:2
And it shall be, when ye draw nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people,
(See NAS)

Deuteronomy 20:3
and shall say unto them, Hear, Israel, ye are approaching this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be afraid of them;
(DBY NAS)

2 Kings 9:17
Now the watchman was standing on the tower in Jezreel, and he spied the company of Jehu as he came, and said, "I see a company." Joram said, "Take a horseman, and send to meet them, and let him say,'Is it peace?'"
(See NIV)

Isaiah 58:2
Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.
(KJV DBY WBS)

Subtopics

Approaching

Approaching God

Related Terms

Jewish (49 Occurrences)

Festival (62 Occurrences)

Alarm (26 Occurrences)

Nahum (3 Occurrences)

Appropriate (19 Occurrences)

Version

Zoology

Nathanael (6 Occurrences)

Naioth (5 Occurrences)

Nob (6 Occurrences)

Neglecting (6 Occurrences)

Olive (61 Occurrences)

Jael (6 Occurrences)

Low (216 Occurrences)

Lift (283 Occurrences)

Warn (35 Occurrences)

Forsaking (29 Occurrences)

Turret (1 Occurrence)

Towards (416 Occurrences)

Toward (2464 Occurrences)

Tent-pitching (1 Occurrence)

Triumph (52 Occurrences)

Threaten (4 Occurrences)

Tears (58 Occurrences)

Round (664 Occurrences)

Retribution (14 Occurrences)

Elijah (104 Occurrences)

Elisha (70 Occurrences)

Exodus (2 Occurrences)

Exhorting (13 Occurrences)

Ethiopia (26 Occurrences)

Encouraging (12 Occurrences)

Eventide (10 Occurrences)

Even (10971 Occurrences)

Evening (163 Occurrences)

Dawn (70 Occurrences)

Deceitfulness (7 Occurrences)

Moriah (2 Occurrences)

Mist (17 Occurrences)

Meanwhile (38 Occurrences)

Encourage (34 Occurrences)

Bones (98 Occurrences)

Believe (239 Occurrences)

Bone (35 Occurrences)

Benjamin (167 Occurrences)

Coming

Cherubim (63 Occurrences)

Approacheth (4 Occurrences)

Agabus (2 Occurrences)

Alarmed (28 Occurrences)

As (39600 Occurrences)

Assembling (11 Occurrences)

Approach (56 Occurrences)

Abigal (1 Occurrence)

Abigail (18 Occurrences)

Stalk (7 Occurrences)

Siege (63 Occurrences)

Habakkuk (3 Occurrences)

Shechem (61 Occurrences)

Amaziah (41 Occurrences)

Habit (9 Occurrences)

Jonah (30 Occurrences)

Josiah (51 Occurrences)

Habitually (43 Occurrences)

Trumpets (52 Occurrences)

Abraham (2539 Occurrences)

Galatians (2 Occurrences)

Agrapha

Worship (332 Occurrences)

Forsook (37 Occurrences)

Land (19790 Occurrences)

Feast (209 Occurrences)

Custom (51 Occurrences)

Nineveh (23 Occurrences)

Micah (54 Occurrences)

Conversion (1 Occurrence)

Ourselves (129 Occurrences)

Prophets (270 Occurrences)

Approacheth
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