And was at a distance of two bows’ length or nearer,
He was two bow-lengths away or even closer.
Until he became as near as two bow-lengths or nearer.
Till he was but two bow-lengths away, or even closer. (The Divine Will and the will of the Messenger merged together, like the two of you join your bows as a bond of friendship (8:17)).
And was at a distance of two bows’ length or nearer,
Until he became as near as two bow-lengths or nearer.
Until he became as near as two bow-lengths or nearer.
Until He became as close as possible.
Until a space of two bow (arcs) or even less remained,
And was at a distance of two bow lengths or nearer.
until he was but two bow-lengths away, or even nearer.
Till he was (distant) two bows' length or even nearer,
until he was two bows' length away, or nearer.*
Until the intervening distance between him and Muhammad was no more than two bows length or even closer
of the universe…
And was at a distance of two bows’ length or (even) nearer.
And was at a distance of but two bow-lengths or (even) nearer;
that he was only two arms-lengths away or even less.
so as he was at a distance like that of two bows (joined together), rather even nearer.
until he was two bow-lengths away or even closer––
two bows' length away, or nearer,
until he was two bows length off or nigher still!
Until he was two bows distant or closer still.
So he was at two bows (distance) or (even) closer (still).
until He was at the distance of two bows length from him, or yet nearer:
And was at a distance of only two bow-lengths (of spiritual union) or even nearer;
So that he became (as it were) one chord to two bows or closer still.
until he was within two bows’ length or even nearer,