קָרַב

קָרַב (qarav) means to draw near, approach, bring near, present, or offer. People approach relatives, rulers, enemies, courts, battle lines, sacred spaces, and God. Pharaoh's army approaches Israel in Exodus 14:10, Joseph's brothers approach before a threatening encounter, and Esther approaches the king under mortal risk. Nearness can mean welcome, duty, danger, or intrusion; proximity is not inherently safe or holy.

Cultic texts use H7126 for bringing people and offerings near. Priests are brought near for service, worshipers present sacrifices, and Leviticus regulates who may approach particular holy duties and how offerings are handled. The verb can therefore be translated offer when the object is a sacrifice, but ordinary approaches are not offerings. Ancient priestly restrictions, including bodily-condition rules in Leviticus 21, define a specific sanctuary role and must not be used to deny disabled people dignity, worship, leadership, employment, or communal belonging today.

Divine nearness and access appear in prayer and prophecy. Psalm 65:4 blesses the person God chooses and brings near, Psalm 69:18 asks God to draw near and redeem, Isaiah 46:13 brings righteousness near, and Jeremiah 30:21 asks who can pledge the heart to approach God. Yet Exodus 3:5 sets a boundary at holy ground, Ecclesiastes 5:1 calls for care when approaching worship, and Malachi condemns corrupt offerings. Nearness is gift and responsibility, not entitlement, coercive intimacy, or a purchase of favor.

Qarav covers ordinary movement, hostile approach, invitation, court presentation, priestly access, bringing persons or objects near, sexual boundary language, and sacrificial offering.