אֲתָה (a.tah)

a.tah

to come

H0858 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 12 verses

A:V

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 12 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: A:V

Word Overview

The Hebrew verb atah means to come or arrive. It appears twelve times in the Old Testament, with most occurrences found in the books of Daniel and Ezra. In these contexts, it describes the physical arrival of people or the coming of events, serving as a straightforward term for movement toward a destination.

While the Hebrew form is atah, the related Aramaic verb ata (Strong’s H0857) shares this same root meaning. This linguistic connection becomes notable in the New Testament phrase maranatha, which translates to "Lord come." Here, the Aramaic word for coming preserves the simple, direct sense of arrival found in its Hebrew counterpart.

The word carries no hidden metaphorical weight beyond the act of approaching or arriving. Its significance lies in its clarity and consistency across both Hebrew and Aramaic texts, reflecting a basic human experience of waiting for someone or something to appear.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The Hebrew word atah simply means to come or arrive. It appears twelve times in the Old Testament, mostly in Daniel and Ezra. In these texts, it describes people arriving at a place or events unfolding as expected. There is no hidden metaphor here; it is a clear statement of movement toward a destination.

For your faith, this word reminds us that God’s promises are not abstract ideas but real events. When Scripture says someone came, it means they actually arrived. This clarity helps us trust that when God speaks of coming to help or judge, He follows through. We can rest in the certainty that His actions are as real as the people walking into a room.

Whether it is a governor visiting Jerusalem or the Ancient of Days appearing in vision, the word grounds our hope in tangible reality. It invites us to look for God’s presence in the concrete moments of our lives, knowing He does not stay distant but comes near to act.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 12 verses where it appears, by frequency.

he came3×
to/ bring2×
to/ come1×
they were brought1×
they have come1×
they have brought1×
they brought1×
he brought1×
coming1×
and/ come!1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

לְ/מֵתֵא֙1×
לְ/הַיְתָיָה֙1×
לְ/הַיְתָיָ֔ה1×
וֶ/אֱת֑וֹ1×
הַיְתִיו֙1×
הַיְתִ֣יו1×
הַיְתִ֛י1×
הֵיתָ֖יוּ1×
אָתֵ֣ה1×
אֲתָ֨א1×
אֲתָ֗ה1×
אֲתָ֗א1×

Key Verses

Daniel 7:13
“I saw in the night visions, and behold, there came with the clouds of the sky one like a son of man, and he came even to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him.

This verse uses the word to describe the Son of Man coming with the clouds, a key image for understanding Jesus' return and authority.
Daniel 7:22
until the Ancient of Days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the Most High, and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

Here the Ancient of Days comes to judge, showing that God’s arrival is tied to justice and the vindication of His people.
Daniel 3:26
Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace. He spoke and said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, you servants of the Most High God, come out, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the middle of the fire.

Nebuchadnezzar calls the three men to come out of the fire, illustrating a moment where divine protection meets human rescue.
Ezra 5:3
At the same time Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, came to them, with Shetharbozenai and their companions, and asked them, “Who gave you a decree to build this house and to finish this wall?”

The governor comes to question the builders, showing how political powers interact with God’s ongoing work in Jerusalem.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does atah mean in the Bible?

Atah is a Hebrew verb that simply means to come or arrive. It appears twelve times in the Old Testament, primarily in Daniel and Ezra. The word describes physical movement toward a place or the arrival of an event without hidden metaphorical layers.

How is atah different from other words for coming?

While other Hebrew verbs like bow or ba might carry nuances of approach or entry, atah focuses on the act of arriving or coming to a specific point. It is straightforward and concrete, often used in historical narratives to mark when someone or something actually reached its destination.

Where does this word appear most?

Most occurrences are found in the books of Daniel and Ezra. In Daniel, it describes both human arrivals and divine visions, such as the Son of Man coming with the clouds. In Ezra, it records the physical presence of officials and builders in Jerusalem.

Is there a New Testament connection?

The related Aramaic form ata appears in the phrase maranatha, meaning 'Lord come.' This preserves the simple sense of arrival found in the Hebrew atah, linking Old Testament concepts of coming to early Christian prayers for Jesus' return.

Every Occurrence (12 verses across 2 books)

Ezra 3 verses

Ezra 4:12

Be it known to the king that the Jews who came up from you have come to us to Jerusalem. They are building the…

Ezra 5:3

At the same time Tattenai, the governor beyond the River, came to them, with Shetharbozenai and their companions, and…

Ezra 5:16

Then the same Sheshbazzar came and laid the foundations of God’s house which is in Jerusalem. Since that time even…

Daniel 9 verses