קִרְבָה (qe.ra.vah)
qe.ra.vah
nearness
H:N-FQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:N-F
Word Overview
The noun qirbah signifies an approach or a drawing near, describing the physical act of coming close to someone or something. In the Hebrew Bible, it captures the movement from a distance into proximity, emphasizing the reduction of space between two parties.
This word appears only twice in Scripture, both within poetic and prophetic contexts where the imagery of closeness carries significant weight. In Psalm 142:3, David cries out that his spirit is overwhelmed as he describes being brought near to a place where no one can find him, highlighting a desperate need for divine presence amidst isolation.
Similarly, Isaiah 65:1 uses the term when God declares He made Himself known to those who did not ask for Him, illustrating a proactive divine initiative in bridging the gap between the Creator and humanity. The sources define it simply as an approach, yet its usage underscores that nearness is often initiated by God rather than achieved by human effort alone.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The Hebrew word qirbah describes the physical act of drawing close, moving from a distance into proximity. It captures the simple yet profound reality of reducing the space between two people. In our spiritual lives, this concept reminds us that connection is not about grand gestures but about the willingness to be near.
While we often feel distant from God due to our circumstances or inner struggles, Scripture shows that He initiates this closeness. Isaiah 65:1 illustrates a divine initiative where God makes Himself known to those who did not ask, bridging the gap before we even realize it is there. This reassures us that our nearness to Him is often a response to His prior grace.
Psalm 73:28 offers a comforting conclusion to this movement: it is good for us to come close to God. This nearness becomes our refuge, a place of safety where we can share in His works. Rather than striving to reach Him from afar, we are invited to rest in the proximity He has already provided.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- [the] approach of2×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קִרְבַ֥ת1×
- קִֽרֲבַ֥ת1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 73:28
But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord Yahweh my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.
This verse concludes the psalm by affirming that the ultimate good for the believer is the act of coming close to God, making Him a refuge.