verb
engizamō
Strong’sG1448
I come near, approach
stem engiz-42 times in the New Testamentin 9 of 27 books18 forms occur
What it means
A plain-English reading of the word, with the lexicons it draws on — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, and Liddell-Scott-Jones — right below it, in full.
AI Summary
ἐγγίζω most often means to come near, approach 1234, whether of a person drawing near to a place or to someone else 13, or of a time or event drawing near, such as an hour, a day, a feast, or the end of things being said to be "at hand" or imminent 13. It can also be used transitively to mean bring near, as in bringing something up close to something else 13.
In the Greek version of the Old Testament, the word is also used to mean to be next of kin 3.
Sources: 1 Abbott-Smith 2 Strong's 3 LSJ 4 Dodson. Condensed by anthropic/claude-sonnet-5 on 2026-09-23 — it may still misstate what these say; check them yourself if it matters to you.
The lexicons it was drawn from, in full:
Abbott-Smith — the 1922 lexicon entry, in full
ἐγγίζω (< ἐγγύς).
[in LXX for נגשׁ, קרב, etc.;]
G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament, 1922 — public domain. References open in the reader.
Strong’s G1448 — the 1890 definition, and where the word comes from
Saideng-id'-zo
to make near, i.e. (reflexively) approach
Fromfrom G1451;
King Jamesapproach, be at hand, come (draw) near, be (come, draw) nigh.
James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 1890 — public domain. The numbers in it link to the entries here.
Liddell-Scott-Jones — the classical dictionary this word appears in
aorist ἤγγισα Refs 4th c.BC+: perfect ἤγγικα LXX+NT: (ἐγγύς):—bring near, bring up to, τῇ γῇ τὰς ναῦς LXX+2nd c.BC+
II mostly intransitive, approach, LXX+4th c.BC+; εἰς θάνατονLXX; ἕωςLXX+NT; to be imminent, ἤγγικεν ἡ παρουσία τοῦ Κυρίου NT: also, with genitive, approximate to, Refs 1st c.BC+
II.2 to be next of kin, LXX
III with infinitive, to be on the point of doing, ναοῦ -οντος συμπεσεῖν Refs
H. G. Liddell, R. Scott, H. S. Jones, A Greek-English Lexicon (9th ed., 1925–1940) — digitised by the Perseus Digital Library and corrected and expanded by Tyndale House, Cambridge, via STEPBible-Data's TFLSJ table, CC BY 4.0. Covers all of Greek literature, not just the Bible.
Translated as
Every occurrence, sorted by the English it was actually given — the evidence for what the word means, not a gloss of it.
Berean Standard Bible (BSB), dedicated to the public domain — berean.bible.
Biblang forms
What the New Testament actually uses, first — the whole system this verb is built from is one click further down.
| Form and the Greek behind it | What it is | Usually | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| engizatōἐγγίζει | happening now · he/she/itpresent active indicative 3rd person singular | comes near | 2× |
| engizanōἐγγίζομεν | happening now · wepresent active indicative 1st person plural | draw near | 1× |
| engizalōἐγγίζουσιν | happening now · theypresent active indicative 3rd person plural | approached | 1× |
| engizateἬγγιζεν | was happening · he/she/itimperfect active indicative 3rd person singular | drew near | 2× |
| engizatiἐγγιεῖ | will happen · he/she/itfuture active indicative 3rd person singular | draw near | 1× |
| engizataἤγγισεν | happened · he/she/itaorist active indicative 3rd person singular | approached | 7× |
| engizalaἤγγισαν | happened · theyaorist active indicative 3rd person plural | drew near | 2× |
| engizatēἤγγικεν | has happened · he/she/itperfect active indicative 3rd person singular | come near | 14× |
| engizavarἐγγίσατε | happened · yeaorist active imperative 2nd person plural | draw near | 1× |
| engizarōἐγγίζειν | happening now · the “to …” formpresent active infinitive | approached | 2× |
| engizaraἐγγίσαι | happened · the “to …” formaorist active infinitive | comes near | 1× |
| engizarōntanἐγγίζουσαν | happening now · objectpresent active participle accusative singular feminine | approaching | 1× |
| engizarōntouἐγγίζοντος | happening now · of, belonging topresent active participle genitive singular masculine | drawing near | 1× |
| engizarōntoἐγγίζοντι | happening now · to, forpresent active participle dative singular masculine | approaching | 1× |
| engizarōntoisἐγγίζοντες | happening now · subjectpresent active participle nominative plural masculine | drawing near | 1× |
| engizarōntoiuἐγγιζόντων | happening now · of, belonging topresent active participle genitive plural masculine | approaching | 1× |
| engizarantosἐγγίσας | happened · subjectaorist active participle nominative singular masculine | came up | 2× |
| engizarantouἐγγίσαντος | happened · of, belonging toaorist active participle genitive singular masculine | came near | 1× |
Every form the New Testament uses, in paradigm order. What the system can build beyond them — the whole of this verb, whether the text happens to use it or not — is in the tables below.
Every form the system can build — all 86, by mood, including the ones the New Testament never uses
Statements — indicative mood, 30 occurrences
| Who person | happening now present | was happening imperfect | will happen future | happened aorist | has happened perfect | had happened pluperfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | engizamō | engizame | engizami | engizama | engizamē | engizamelē |
| you 2nd person singular | engizasō | engizase | engizasi | engizasa | engizasē | engizaselē |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | engizatō2×ἐγγίζει | engizate2×Ἤγγιζεν | engizati1×ἐγγιεῖ | engizata7×ἤγγισεν | engizatē14×ἤγγικεν | engizatelē |
| we 1st person plural | engizanō1×ἐγγίζομεν | engizane | engizani | engizana | engizanē | engizanelē |
| ye 2nd person plural | engizavō | engizave | engizavi | engizava | engizavē | engizavelē |
| they 3rd person plural | engizalō1×ἐγγίζουσιν | engizale | engizali | engizala2×ἤγγισαν | engizalē | engizalelē |
May, might — subjunctive mood, no occurrences
| Who person | happening now present | happened aorist | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | engizameiō | engizameia | engizameiē |
| you 2nd person singular | engizaseiō | engizaseia | engizaseiē |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | engizateiō | engizateia | engizateiē |
| we 1st person plural | engizaneiō | engizaneia | engizaneiē |
| ye 2nd person plural | engizaveiō | engizaveia | engizaveiē |
| they 3rd person plural | engizaleiō | engizaleia | engizaleiē |
Commands — imperative mood, 1 occurrence
| Who person | happening now present | happened aorist | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|---|
| you 2nd person singular | engizasōr | engizasar | engizasēr |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | engizatōr | engizatar | engizatēr |
| ye 2nd person plural | engizavōr | engizavar1×ἐγγίσατε | engizavēr |
| they 3rd person plural | engizalōr | engizalar | engizalēr |
Wishes — optative mood, no occurrences
| Who person | happening now present | happened aorist |
|---|---|---|
| I 1st person singular | engizamoiō | engizamoia |
| you 2nd person singular | engizasoiō | engizasoia |
| he/she/it 3rd person singular | engizatoiō | engizatoia |
| we 1st person plural | engizanoiō | engizanoia |
| ye 2nd person plural | engizavoiō | engizavoia |
| they 3rd person plural | engizaloiō | engizaloia |
The “to …” form — infinitive, 3 occurrences
| Who is acting voice | happening now present | will happen future | happened aorist | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| the subject acts active voice | engizarō2×ἐγγίζειν | engizari | engizara1×ἐγγίσαι | engizarē |
Used as an adjective — participle, 8 occurrences
| Who is acting voice | happening now present | will happen future | happened aorist | has happened perfect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| the subject acts active voice | engizarōntos5× | engizarintos | engizarantos3×ἐγγίσας | engizarēntos |
Each is given in the form it takes as a subject. From there a participle carries the ordinary noun endings, in every case, number and gender — so these four columns are the whole of what the verb contributes.
How every form is built — the slots that make them
engiz is this word in every one of its forms. The slots after it make all the rest.
same in every form varies — every value shown
Where it appears
Every verse the word appears in, filed under the form it takes there.
42 occurrences, every one of them listed
engizatō“comes near”happening now · he/she/itpresent active indicative 3rd person singular2×
Luke 12:33“comes near”… en toi ouranoi, hopou kleptos ouk engizatō oude sētos diaftheratō;… inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys.
Luke 21:28… kai eparavar tain kefalain vu, dioti engizatō tas apolutrōsias vu.… your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”
engizanō“draw near”happening now · wepresent active indicative 1st person plural1×
Hebrews 7:19… epeisagōgas de kreittonau elpidau, dia hau engizanō to theo.… hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God.
engizalō“approached”happening now · theypresent active indicative 3rd person plural1×
Mark 11:1Kai hote engizalō eis Hierosolumeim eis Bēthfagē kai Bēthanian …As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and …
engizate“drew near”was happening · he/she/itimperfect active indicative 3rd person singular2×
Luke 22:1Engizate de tas heortas teiu azumeiu tas …… Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching,
Acts 7:17Kathōs de engizate tos chronos tau epangeliau hau homologata …As the time drew near for God to fulfill His promise …
engizati“draw near”will happen · he/she/itfuture active indicative 3rd person singular1×
James 4:8engizavar to theo, kai engizati vi. katharizavar cheirain, hamartōloir, kai hagnizavar …… near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you …
engizata“approached”happened · he/she/itaorist active indicative 3rd person singular7×
Matthew 21:34hote de engizata tos kairos toiu karpoiu, apostelata toin …When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the …
Luke 7:12hōs de engizata ta pula tau polau, kai idou …As He approached the town gate, He saw a …
Luke 15:25… presbuteros en agro; kai hōs erchorōntos engizata ta oikia, akouata sumfōniau kai choroiu,… in the field, and as he approached the house, he heard music and …
Luke 19:29Kai geneta hōs engizata eis Bēthfagē kai Bēthanian pros tem …As He approached Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount …
Luke 19:41Kai hōs engizata, horarantos tan polan klaiata epi autan,As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He …
Luke 22:47… henos toiu dōdeka proerchote autoin, kai engizata to Iēso filara auton.… Judas, one of the Twelve. He approached Jesus to kiss Him.
Philippians 2:30“came close”… dia tem ergem Christou mechris thanatou engizata, paraboleuerantos ta psucha hina anaplērateia tem …… nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for your deficit of service to me.
engizala“drew near”happened · theyaorist active indicative 3rd person plural2×
Matthew 21:1“drew near”Kai hote engizala eis Hierosolumeim kai erchala eis Bēthfagē …… they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the …
Luke 24:28“drew near”Kai engizala eis tan kōman hou poreuole, kai …… they approached the village where they were headed, He seemed to be going …
engizatē“come near”has happened · he/she/itperfect active indicative 3rd person singular14×
Matthew 3:2“come near”kai legarōntos; Metanoavōr, engizatē gar tas basileias toiu ouranoiu.and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Matthew 4:17“at hand”… tos Iēsus kērussarō kai legarō; Metanoavōr, engizatē gar tas basileias toiu ouranoiu.… time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”
Matthew 10:7“come near”poreuorōntois de kērussavōr legarōntois hoti Engizatē tas basileias toiu ouranoiu.As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’
Matthew 26:45“at hand”… Katheudavō tem loipem kai anapauovō; idou engizatē tas hōras kai tos huios tou …… Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man …
Matthew 26:46“at hand”egerovōr aganeiō; idou engizatē tos paradōarōntos min.… us go! See, My betrayer is approaching!”
Mark 1:15“come near”… legarōntos hoti Plērotē tos kairos kai engizatē tas basileias tou theou; metanoavōr kai …“The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in …
Mark 14:42“at hand”egerovōr aganeiō; idou tos paradōarōntos min engizatē.… us go. See, My betrayer is approaching!”
Luke 10:9“come near”… en auta asthenoin, kai legavōr autoi; Engizatē epi vin tas basileias tou theou.Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God is near you.’
Luke 10:11“come near”… apomassonō vi; plēn houtem gnōskavōr hoti engizatē tas basileias tou theou.… your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off as a testimony against you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near.’
Luke 21:8… legarōntois; Mis amō kai; Tos kairos engizatē; mē poreuiveia opisō autoiu.… am He,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them.
Luke 21:20“come near”… hupo stratopedeiu Ierousalēm, tote gnōskavar hoti engizatē tas erēmōsias autau.… you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near.
Romans 13:12tas nuktas prokoptata, tas de hēmeras engizatē. apobaleneia oun teim ergeim teu skoteu, …… nearly over; the day has drawn near. So let us lay aside the …
James 5:8… vu, hoti tas parousias tou kuriou engizatē.… hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near.
1 Peter 4:7Panteiu de tem telem engizatē. sōfronavar oun kai nēfavar eis proseuchain;The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and sober, so …
engizavar“draw near”happened · yeaorist active imperative 2nd person plural1×
James 4:8engizavar to theo, kai engizati vi. katharizavar …Draw near to God, and He will draw …
engizarō“approached”happening now · the “to …” formpresent active infinitive2×
Luke 18:35“approached”Geneta de en te engizarō auton eis Ierichō tuflos tinos kathote …As Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the …
Acts 9:3“approaching”en de te poreuorō geneta auton engizarō ta Damaska, exaifnōs tē auton periastraptata …As Saul drew near to Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
engizara“comes near”happened · the “to …” formaorist active infinitive1×
Acts 23:15“comes near”… peri autou; nis de pro teu engizara auton hetoimois anō teu anairara auton.… then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him down to you on the pretext of examining his case more carefully. We are ready to kill him on the …
engizarōntan“approaching”happening now · objectpresent active participle accusative singular feminine1×
Hebrews 10:25… parakalarōntois, kai tosoute mallon hose blepavō engizarōntan tan hēmeran.… more as you see the Day approaching.
engizarōntou“drawing near”happening now · of, belonging topresent active participle genitive singular masculine1×
Luke 19:37“drawing near”engizarōntou de autou ēdē pros ta katabasia …And as He approached the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of disciples began to praise God …
engizarōnto“approaching”happening now · to, forpresent active participle dative singular masculine1×
Acts 22:6Geneta de mi poreuorōnto kai engizarōnto ta Damaska peri mesēmbrian exaifnōs ek …About noon as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from …
engizarōntois“drawing near”happening now · subjectpresent active participle nominative plural masculine1×
Luke 15:1“drawing near”Ale de auto engizarōntois pantois tois telōnois kai tois hamartōlois …Now all the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around …
engizarōntoiu“approaching”happening now · of, belonging topresent active participle genitive plural masculine1×
Acts 10:9… epaurion hodoiporarōntoiu ekeinoiu kai ta pola engizarōntoiu anabainata Petros epi tem dōmem proseuchera …… sixth hour, as the men were approaching the city on their journey, Peter …
engizarantos“came up”happened · subjectaorist active participle nominative singular masculine2×
Luke 24:15“came near”… autoin kai suzētarō kai autos Iēsus engizarantos sumporeuote autoi,And as they talked and deliberated, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them.
Acts 21:33tote engizarantos tos chiliarchos epilabeta autou kai keleuata …The commander came up and arrested Paul, ordering that he …
engizarantou“came near”happened · of, belonging toaorist active participle genitive singular masculine1×
Luke 18:40“came near”… Iēsus keleuata auton agira pros auton. engizarantou de autou eperōtata auton;Jesus stopped and directed that the man be brought to Him. When he had come near, Jesus asked him,