Bible Dictionary
ARRIVE
To arrive originally meant to reach the shore, but in biblical usage it means to come to a place or attain a goal. The New Testament can use it figuratively for reaching or obtaining something.
Definition
To arrive originally meant to reach the shore, from a Latin nautical expression meaning “to the bank.” In general usage it means to come to a place; figuratively, it may mean to attain or reach a goal.
Biblical Usage
The New Testament uses the word literally of reaching a place and figuratively of attaining something. The Revised Version uses “attain to” in the passage concerning reaching righteousness.
Historical Background
The word began as a nautical term derived from ad ripam, “to the shore.”
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>a-riv': Originally a nautical term (Latin: ad ripam) for reaching shore, is used in the literal sense in Lu 8:26, and, in the figurative sense for Greek phthano, instead of "attain to," the Revised Version (British and American) in Ro 9:31.</p>