אָתָה

ʼâthâh /aw-thaw'/ Ask about this word
Meaningor אָתָא; a primitive root (collateral to אוּת contraction); to arrive
KJV usage(be-, things to) come (upon), bring.
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Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Hebrew word ʼâthâh, represented by H857, is a primitive root meaning to arrive or to come. It appears 21 times across 20 unique verses in the Bible. While its core definition points to arrival, its usage extends to describe the coming of future events, divine appearances, and the arrival of both people and consequences.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

In the biblical narrative, H857 is used in several significant contexts. It is frequently found in prophetic passages where God's unique ability to declare "the things that are to come" is highlighted (Isaiah 41:23, Isaiah 45:11). The word also depicts a powerful divine arrival, as when the LORD "came with ten thousands of saints" from Mount Paran Deuteronomy 33:2. On a personal level, it can express a response of repentance, as when the children of Israel declare, "Behold, we come unto thee" Jeremiah 3:22, or the arrival of dreaded circumstances, as when Job laments that what he feared has "come upon" him Job 3:25.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words provide a broader context for the concept of coming and arriving:

  • H935 bôwʼ (to go or come): This word is often used interchangeably or in parallel with H857. For instance, in describing the establishment of the kingdom, it is said that dominion "shall it come" H857 and the kingdom "shall come" H935 Micah 4:8.
  • H3212 yâlak (to walk; come): This term often implies coming or going as a part of a process or journey. It is used as a command to "come ye, assemble" before the command is repeated with H857 to "come to devour" Jeremiah 12:9.
  • H1980 hâlak (to walk; come, go): This word is used to describe the progression of life and time. Job contrasts the coming H857 of his final years with the fact that he will soon "go" H1980 on a journey from which he will not return Job 16:22.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of H857 is significant, particularly in relation to God's sovereignty and interaction with humanity.

  • Prophetic Certainty: The concept of "things to come" is a major theme. God challenges false gods to prove their divinity by showing "the things that are to come hereafter" Isaiah 41:23, establishing His omniscience and control over the future.
  • Divine Manifestation: The word describes God's arrival in glory and judgment. The Lord's coming from Sinai is a powerful theophany that establishes his authority and the giving of his law Deuteronomy 33:2.
  • Inevitable Outcomes: H857 is used to convey the unavoidable arrival of consequences, whether it is destruction coming "as a whirlwind" Proverbs 1:27 or the fulfillment of a promised kingdom Micah 4:8.
  • Human Approach: The word captures humanity's movement toward a destination or a state of being, from the inhabitants of Tema who "brought" H857 water to the thirsty Isaiah 21:14 to the backsliding children who "come" to God for healing Jeremiah 3:22.

Summary

In summary, H857 transcends a simple definition of arrival. It is a dynamic term used to articulate prophetic truth, the powerful manifestation of God, the certainty of future events, and the responsive movement of humanity. From the majestic coming of the Lord with His saints to the personal arrival of long-feared suffering, ʼâthâh illustrates how the concept of "coming" is deeply woven into the fabric of divine revelation and human experience.

Grammatical Forms

In the Hebrew Old Testament, this word appears as a verb across 21 occurrences, inflected in 11 grammatical forms.

  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 3×
  • Qal Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 3×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 3×
  • Qal Participle Plural Feminine Absolute 3×
  • Hiphil Imperative 2nd Plural Masculine 2×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Masculine 2×
  • Qal Consecutive Imperfect 3rd Plural Masculine 1×
  • Qal Consecutive Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
  • Qal Imperfect 3rd Singular Feminine 1×
  • Qal Perfect 1st Plural common gender 1×
  • Qal Perfect 3rd Singular Masculine 1×
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Feminine
Feminine grammatical gender.
common gender
Either gender — the form does not distinguish.
1st
First person — the speaker ("I"/"we").
2nd
Second person — the one addressed ("you").
3rd
Third person — the one spoken about ("he"/"they").
Imperfect
Ongoing or repeated action in the past — "was doing".
Perfect
A completed act whose results continue.
Imperative
A command or entreaty.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.
Qal
The simple, basic stem — plain action in the active voice.
Hiphil
The causative stem — the subject causes the action.
Consecutive Imperfect
Imperfect with vav — carries narrative forward ("and he…").
Consecutive Perfect
Perfect with vav — continues a sequence into the future.
Absolute
The independent form of a noun (not bound to another).

Theographic Context

Biblical Distribution

Appears in 20 verses across 7 books. Most frequent in Isaiah (9 verses).

2
Deuteronomy
4
Job
1
Psalms
1
Proverbs
9
Isaiah
2
Jeremiah
1
Micah

Verse Explorer

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