Paradigmatic Relations

Semantics investigates the transformation of word meanings within discourse. "Proximity to God" is one of the central Qur’anic concepts, and its semantic analysis is of particular importance for organizing the semantic network of Qur’anic vocabulary and for understanding the Book of Revelation's discourse on the relationship between human beings and God. Using a descriptive–analytical method, the present study seeks to identify and systematize the vocabulary related to proximity ( Qurb ) and to explain the process of semantic expansion of this term within the framework of paradigmatic relations. The concept of proximity, in addition to reflecting the human–divine relationship, encompasses a wide range of meanings, including spatial, temporal, kinship-based, rank-related, protective, and power-related proximity. The findings indicate that the direct derivatives of the root ( q r b) , such as Aqrab , Qarīb , Qurbān , and Qurbāt , are predominantly employed within the semantic orbit of drawing near to God, whereas words related to Qurb in non-religious meanings function as expressions of nearness in non-divine contexts. Among the conceptual substitutes for Qurb , terms such as Dunuww , Ḥaḍar , Walī , Zulfā , and Muḥīṭ were identified, which respectively cover the domains of physical/spatial proximity, legal and social proximity, proximity in the occurrence of events, rank and status, and encompassing. Furthermore, a group of Qur’anic terms can be regarded as indirect substitutes for Qurb and classified among expressions related to the path of attaining proximity to God.