Who are our neighbors? Does Scripture say?

The first use of the word neighbor is in Exodus 3:22.  It actually defines what God means by "neighbor".

Exodus 3:22(NKJV)

But every woman shall ask of her neighbor, namely, of her who dwells near her house, articles of silver, articles of gold, and clothing; and you shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians.”

In the very first use of the word neighbor it is defined within a proximity issue, in other words a neighbor is somebody nearby.  Now let's see if it is defined differently anywhere else in Scripture.  The word neighbor is used 95 times in Scripture.

Exodus 11:2(NKJV)

Speak now in the hearing of the people, and let every man ask from his neighbor and every woman from her neighbor, articles of silver and articles of gold.” 

Once again we have the issue of proximity.  Your neighbor is within hearing distance.

Isaiah 19:2(NKJV)

    “I will set Egyptians against Egyptians;      Everyone will fight against his brother,     And everyone against his neighbor,     City against city, kingdom against kingdom.

And again it seems that proximity defines neighbor. 

Does it change in the New Testament?
 

Luke 10:29-37(NKJV)

But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 

Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 

Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. 

But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. 

So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 

On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ 

So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”

And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Once again I see a proximity issue. 

Here are my thoughts and I'll admit that maybe I am reading too much in to this but….here goes.

There are some who think that Scripture is telling us that everybody in the world is "our neighbor".  I would disagree.  From the 95 Scriptures I just read from both the OT and NT there seems to be a personal proximity issue in most cases.  Here is what I mean by that. 

Let's look at Jesus' example.  I don't think the injured man was the Samaritan's "neighbor" until the Samaritan happened upon him on the road.  At that point we have proximity.  Before that the Samaritan didn't know of the injured man's need.  At the point that he sees the injured man the Samaritan is aware of the man's need and takes action to help his "neighbor".  Does that make a little sense?

I realize the analogy is a bit squishy but it is the best I have.  It's an issue I will continue to study.