"pr. to cause to approach; in NT intrans. to approach, draw near, Mt. 21:1; Lk. 18:35; met. to be at hand, Mt. 3:2; 4:17; μέχρι θανάτου ἐγγίζειν, to be at the point of death, Phil. 2:30; from Hebrew to draw near to God, to offer Him reverence and worship, Mt. 15:8; Heb. 7:19; Jas...."
Definition and meaning
pr. to cause to approach; in NT intrans. to approach, draw near, Mt. 21:1; Lk. 18:35; met. to be at hand, Mt. 3:2; 4:17; μέχρι θανάτου ἐγγίζειν, to be at the point of death, Phil. 2:30; from Hebrew to draw near to God, to offer Him reverence and worship, Mt. 15:8; Heb. 7:19; Jas. 4:8; used of God, to draw near to men, assist them, bestow favors on them, Jas. 4:8
In the original Greek the word is written: ἐγγίζω
Historical context
Rome had controlled Judea since 63 BC. Herod the Great rebuilt the Temple into one of the most magnificent structures in the ancient world — and simultaneously murdered members of his own family. The common people paid multiple layers of taxation and were politically powerless. Into that world a carpenter from Galilee began teaching that the kingdom of God had arrived.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of engizo (G1448) across the King James Bible.
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,
And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it.
Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.
Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples,
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Common questions
Strong's G1448 (engizo) is a Greek word that means: pr. to cause to approach; in NT intrans. to approach, draw near, Mt. 21:1; Lk. 18:35; met. to be at hand, Mt. 3:2; 4:17; μέχρι θανάτου ἐγγίζειν, to be at the point of death, Phil. 2:30; from Hebrew to... It appears 41 times in the King James Bible.
The word engizo (G1448) appears 41 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G1448 is engizo, a Greek word defined as: pr. to cause to approach; in NT intrans. to approach, draw near, Mt. 21:1; Lk. 18:35; met. to be at hand, Mt. 3:2; 4:17; μέχρι θανάτου ἐγγίζειν, to be. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
engizo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.