The Hebrew nagash (H5066) means to draw near or approach β it is used of people approaching God (Exodus 24:2), priests approaching the altar (Ezekiel 44:13), and enemies drawing near in battle. The word is particularly significant in the context of covenant access: who may draw near to God, under what conditions, and with what preparation? In Isaiah 45:20, the exiles are commanded: 'Gather together and come (nagash).'
The theology of nagash is fundamentally about access. In the tabernacle/temple system, who could nagash to God was strictly defined by priestly law β the wrong approach meant death (Leviticus 10:1-2). The Messiah would be called to nagash to God in a unique, unprecedented way (Jeremiah 30:21: 'Who is he who will devote himself to be close to me?'). The NT answer is Jesus, our Great High Priest (Hebrews 4:16: 'Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace') β He has opened the way for all believers to nagash freely.