Well-nigh
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Topical Encyclopedia
The term "well-nigh" is an archaic expression that means "almost" or "nearly." It is used to convey the idea of something being on the verge of happening or being very close to a particular state or condition. In the context of the Bible, "well-nigh" is often used to describe situations where events or conditions are imminent or nearly fulfilled.

Biblical Usage:

While the specific term "well-nigh" may not appear frequently in modern translations of the Bible, the concept it represents is prevalent throughout Scripture. The Bible often describes situations where God's promises, judgments, or the fulfillment of prophetic events are near at hand.

Examples in Scripture:

1. Near Fulfillment of Prophecy:
The Bible frequently speaks of prophecies that are "well-nigh" fulfilled, emphasizing the certainty and imminence of God's word coming to pass. For instance, in the New Testament, Jesus speaks of the signs of the end times as being near, urging believers to be watchful and prepared.

2. Imminent Judgment:
The concept of "well-nigh" is also applicable in the context of divine judgment. In the Old Testament, the prophets often warned Israel and other nations of impending judgment due to their disobedience and idolatry. These warnings conveyed the urgency of repentance, as the consequences were almost upon them.

3. Salvation and Deliverance:
The nearness of God's salvation is another theme where "well-nigh" can be applied. The psalmists and prophets frequently speak of God's deliverance as being close at hand for those who trust in Him. This assurance of God's imminent help provides comfort and hope to the faithful.

Theological Implications:

The use of "well-nigh" in biblical contexts underscores the reliability and faithfulness of God's promises. It serves as a reminder that God's timing is perfect, and His plans are always on the verge of fulfillment. This concept encourages believers to live in a state of readiness and anticipation, knowing that God's intervention in human history is always near.

Practical Application:

For Christians, the idea of "well-nigh" serves as a call to vigilance and faithfulness. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, knowing that God's promises are sure and His return is imminent. This perspective fosters a sense of urgency in living out one's faith and sharing the gospel with others, as the time is always near for God's purposes to be realized.

In summary, while the term "well-nigh" may not be commonly used in contemporary Bible translations, its underlying concept is deeply woven into the fabric of Scripture, highlighting the nearness of God's actions and the importance of being prepared for His work in the world.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(adv.) Almost; nearly.
Strong's Hebrew
369. ayin -- nothing, nought
... father-)less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any,
thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. ...
/hebrew/369.htm - 7k
Library

He Essays to Speak of the Well-Nigh Divine Endowments of Origen in ...
... Argument II."He Essays to Speak of the Well-Nigh Divine Endowments of Origen in
His Presence, into Whose Hands He Avows Himself to Have Been Led in a Way ...
/.../argument ii he essays to speak.htm

Second Sermon for the Twelfth Sunday after Trinity
... assault would be easily repulsed, but as soon as he opens his ears so far as to
dwell upon and dally with temptation, he is already well nigh conquered, and ...
/.../xxiii second sermon for the.htm

The Mystery of Iniquity
... occasion from them to consider that important question, " In what manner the mystery
of iniquity hath wrought among us till it hath well-nigh covered the ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 61 the mystery of.htm

Preface
... the great writer's own deeply felt religious faith; possibly, also, by the fact
that he was writing at a period when our sacred song was wellnigh confined to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/palgrave/the treasury of sacred song/preface.htm

Unimpeachable Justice
... The verdict of the jury was the verdict of the whole of England; we were unanimous
as to the high probability, the well-nigh absolute certainty of his guilt ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/unimpeachable justice.htm

Return to Benares.
... The congregation was well-nigh entirely composed of people of colour, varying
from the brown of the mixed race to the jet black of the . ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter xv return to benares.htm

To Olympias. Why do You Lament? Why do You Belabour Yourself...
... attendants, the difficulty of getting supplies, the want of a physician, the wasting
effects of toil, and heat and sleeplessness; thus I was well nigh a dead ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/to olympias why do you.htm

Foretastes of the Heavenly Life
... enjoy security even on earth; not that high and glorious security which renders
us free from every slip and trip, but nevertheless a security well nigh as great ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 45 1899/foretastes of the heavenly life.htm

My Second Year in Benares.
... The night is rendered hideous, and sleep well-nigh impossible, by the drumming,
fifing, and shouting of the revellers, kept up till break of day. ...
/.../life and work in benares and kumaon 1839-1877/chapter ix my second year.htm

Would Indeed that Some Profit Might Come to Myself from this ...
... have while alive here; for if any one would make up his mind to measure exactly
the difference between the two courses, he would find it well-nigh as great as ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/chapter iii would indeed that.htm

Thesaurus
Well-nigh (5 Occurrences)
Well-nigh. Well-mixed, Well-nigh. Well-nourished . Noah Webster's Dictionary
(adv.) Almost; nearly. Multi-Version Concordance Well-nigh (5 Occurrences). ...
/w/well-nigh.htm - 7k

Sacrifice (300 Occurrences)
... The bloody sacrifice, where the idea of propitiation is prominent, is well-nigh
universal in the ethnic religions, being found among even the most enlightened ...
/s/sacrifice.htm - 101k

Near (3455 Occurrences)
... 1. (adv.) At a little distance, in place, time, manner, or degree; not remote; nigh.
2. (adv.) Nearly; almost; well-nigh. 3. (adv.) Closely; intimately. ...
/n/near.htm - 9k

Jordan (188 Occurrences)
... Ruins are numerous enough. Every mile or two is an old site of town or village,
now wellnigh hid beneath a dense jungle of thorns and thistles. ...
/j/jordan.htm - 70k

Well-nourished (1 Occurrence)
Well-nourished. Well-nigh, Well-nourished. Well-nurtured . Multi-Version
Concordance ... (See NIV). Well-nigh, Well-nourished. Well-nurtured . Reference
/w/well-nourished.htm - 6k

Well-mixed (2 Occurrences)
Well-mixed. Well-loved, Well-mixed. Well-nigh . Multi-Version Concordance
Well-mixed (2 Occurrences). ... Well-loved, Well-mixed. Well-nigh . Reference Bible
/w/well-mixed.htm - 7k

Imperfection (2 Occurrences)
... Revelation 3:2 Rouse yourself and keep awake, and strengthen those things which
remain but have well-nigh perished; for I have found no doings of yours free ...
/i/imperfection.htm - 7k

Flesh (468 Occurrences)
... the violence of grief in mourning for their dead (see BURIAL; MOURNING), was a widely
prevalent custom among ancient peoples, and is well-nigh universal among ...
/f/flesh.htm - 69k

Thessalonians (6 Occurrences)
... The letter is especially important as a witness to the content of the earliest Gospel,
on account of its date and its well-nigh unchallenged authenticity. ...
/t/thessalonians.htm - 46k

Rouse (25 Occurrences)
... Revelation 3:2 Rouse yourself and keep awake, and strengthen those things which
remain but have well-nigh perished; for I have found no doings of yours free ...
/r/rouse.htm - 14k

Resources
What is the meaning of the Parable of the Talents? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Jacob's well? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He told people, “Your faith has made you well”? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Well-nigh (5 Occurrences)

Luke 9:39
At times a spirit seizes him and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him, and makes him foam at the mouth, and does not leave him till it has well-nigh covered him with bruises.
(WEY)

Luke 9:51
And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
(ASV)

Acts 7:23
But when he was well-nigh forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
(ASV)

Revelation 3:2
Rouse yourself and keep awake, and strengthen those things which remain but have well-nigh perished; for I have found no doings of yours free from imperfection in the sight of My God.
(WEY)

Proverbs 5:14
I was well-nigh in all evil In the midst of the assembly and congregation.
(ASV)

Subtopics

Well-nigh

Related Terms

Nourished (29 Occurrences)

Well-nigh (5 Occurrences)

Well-nurtured (1 Occurrence)

Well-mixed
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