The Hebrew adjective rachoq describes spatial or relational distance. It can refer to physical remoteness (far-off lands) or the relational distance between persons, and most powerfully, the distance between a sinful people and their holy God. Its frequent use in contrast with qarov ("near") highlights the spiritual dynamic of approach and separation before God.
The Bible's story is one of rachoq overcome by grace. Sin creates infinite distance from a holy God; redemption collapses that distance. Isaiah's promise — "peace, peace, to the far and to the near" (Isaiah 57:19) — is quoted by Paul to describe Gentiles who "once were far off" being brought near by the blood of Christ (Ephesians 2:13). The prodigal "came to himself" while "far off," and the father saw him "while he was still a great way off" and ran to him (Luke 15:20) — a portrait of God's pursuit of the spiritually distant.