(Aramaic) or מְטָה; (Aramaic), apparently corresponding to מָצָא in the intransitive sense of being found present; to arrive, extend or happen; come, reach.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Aramaic word **mᵉṭâʼ**, represented by `{{H4291}}`, means **to arrive, extend or happen; come, reach**. It appears 8 times in 8 unique verses, exclusively within the book of Daniel. Its usage often carries a sense of finality or fulfillment, describing an object or event reaching its destination or appointed time.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, `{{H4291}}` is used to convey both physical extent and the arrival of a significant moment. It describes the immense scale of King Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom, whose greatness "reacheth unto heaven" [[Daniel 4:22]], a concept mirrored in the king's dream of a great tree whose height also "reached unto heaven" ([[Daniel 4:11]], [[Daniel 4:20]]). The word also marks the arrival of divine judgment, as when a decree from the most High "is come upon my lord the king" [[Daniel 4:24]]. In a more dramatic physical sense, it is used to describe how Daniel's accusers never "came at the bottom of the den" before the lions attacked them [[Daniel 6:24]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related Aramaic words provide a fuller context for the concept of arrival and increase:
* `{{H858}}` **ʼâthâh** (to arrive; (be-) come, bring): This word is used alongside `{{H4291}}` to describe the arrival of a key figure, as when the Son of man "came" `{{H858}}` and then "came" `{{H4291}}` to the Ancient of days [[Daniel 7:13]].
* `{{H7236}}` **rᵉbâh** (to increase... make a great man, grow): This term often describes the process that leads to the state of "reaching." For instance, King Nebuchadnezzar is told he has "grown" `{{H7236}}` and become strong, and his greatness "is grown" `{{H7236}}` and "reacheth" `{{H4291}}` to heaven [[Daniel 4:22]].
* `{{H7127}}` **qᵉrêb** (to approach... come (near, nigh), draw near): Similar to arriving, this word signifies drawing near. It is used in the same vision where the Son of man "came" `{{H4291}}` to the Ancient of days, and "they brought him near" `{{H7127}}` before him [[Daniel 7:13]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H4291}}` is tied to its use in the prophetic visions of Daniel.
* **Divine Sovereignty:** The word emphasizes that God's plans and judgments "come" to pass at their appointed time. The decree against Nebuchadnezzar [[Daniel 4:24]] and the fulfillment of his downfall [[Daniel 4:28]] both use `{{H4291}}`, showing that divine will ultimately arrives and is executed on earth.
* **Prophetic Fulfillment:** The term marks the arrival of prophesied eras. This is seen clearly when "the time came" `{{H4291}}` that the saints possessed the kingdom, signaling a major shift in cosmic authority [[Daniel 7:22]].
* **Messianic Arrival:** Its most significant use is in the vision of the Son of man who "came" `{{H4291}}` to the Ancient of days [[Daniel 7:13]]. Here, the word signifies the pivotal arrival of a messianic figure into the presence of God to receive dominion.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H4291}}` is a concise but powerful Aramaic term for arrival and fulfillment. While it can describe physical scale, as with Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom, its primary importance is in the context of Daniel's prophecies. It signals the inevitable arrival of God's judgment, the fulfillment of prophetic time, and the coming of the Son of man to his place of authority, reinforcing the theme of God's ultimate sovereignty over history.
TRV