ἐγγύς
engus
near
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
ExploredThe Greek word ἐγγύς (engus) translates to "near". Its definition remains consistent throughout its occurrences in the Bible, where it appears 30 times. This word is not limited to physical closeness, as it's used metaphorically to describe various relationships and situations, such as spiritual closeness, proximity to a person, event, or state. Its range of usage is quite broad, encompassing multiple contexts. It can denote spatial nearness (as in Matthew 5:41, where Jesus says to follow another person until you are near to them), temporal nearness (in 1 Kings 8:48, where King Solomon asks God to listen even if the people's heart is far from him and turn again near to God), or relational nearness (in Matthew 5:23-24, where Jesus instructs followers to make a reconciliation with their adversary while they are yet near). Through its 30 occurrences, ἐγγύς highlights the importance of proximity and intimacy in various aspects of life, from physical presence to spiritual connection. By showing how this word is used in different contexts, we see that nearness is valued across many situations, reflecting the significance of closeness and relationship in the biblical worldview.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
30 total occurrences across the text
“Now from the fig tree learn this parable. When its branch has now become tender, and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near.
Matthew 24:33Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors.
Matthew 26:18He said, “Go into the city to a certain person, and tell him, ‘The Teacher says, “My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.” ’ ”
Mark 13:28“Now from the fig tree, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender, and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near;
Mark 13:29even so you also, when you see these things coming to pass, know that it is near, at the doors.
Luke 19:11As they heard these things, he went on and told a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that God’s Kingdom would be revealed immediately.
Luke 21:30When they are already budding, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near.
Luke 21:31Even so you also, when you see these things happening, know that God’s Kingdom is near.
John 2:13The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
John 3:23John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came, and were baptized;
John 6:4Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand.
John 6:19When 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.
John 6:23However boats from Tiberias came near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks.
John 7:2Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was at hand.
John 11:18Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia away.
John 11:54Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but departed from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim. He stayed there with his disciples.
John 11:55Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand. Many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves.
John 19:20Therefore many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek.
John 19:42Then because of the Jews’ Preparation Day (for the tomb was near at hand) they laid Jesus there.
Acts 1:12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.
Acts 9:38As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.
Acts 27:8With difficulty sailing along it we came to a certain place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea.
Romans 10:8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth, and in your heart;” that is, the word of faith which we preach:
Ephesians 2:13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off are made near in the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:17He came and preached peace to you who were far off and to those who were near.
Philippians 4:5Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
Hebrews 6:8but if it bears thorns and thistles, it is rejected and near being cursed, whose end is to be burned.
Hebrews 8:13In that he says, “A new covenant”, he has made the first old. But that which is becoming old and grows aged is near to vanishing away.
Revelation 1:3Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is at hand.
Revelation 22:10He said to me, “Don’t seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.