Dictionary entry

Near, Nigh

International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

ner, ni (chiefly qarobh, "to draw near," qarabh; eggus): Used of proximity in place (Ge 19:20;45:10;Ex 13:17;Ps 22:11;Joh 3:23, etc.), time (Jer 48:16;Eze 7:7;30:3;Mr 13:28), or kinship (Le 21:2;Ru 3:12), but also employed of moral nearness. Yahweh is "nigh" to them that are of a broken heart (Ps 34:18). God draws nigh to His people, and they to Him (Jas 4:8). The antithesis is God's "farness" from the wicked.