Bible Dictionary
COME
“Come” is used broadly in Scripture for movement, approach, arrival, or attainment. Depending on context, it can also describe the Spirit coming upon or clothing a person, drawing near to God, or Christ’s promised coming.
Definition
To come means to move toward, arrive, approach, or attain. In biblical translation it can represent many different Hebrew and Greek expressions, whose precise force depends on context.
Biblical Usage
The word may describe the Spirit coming mightily upon a person, or the Spirit clothing itself with someone. It may also express drawing near, attaining, arriving, or Christ’s coming again.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kum: The translation of many Hebrew and Greek words. In the phrase "The Spirit of Yahweh came mightily upon him" (Jud 14:6,19; 15:14; 1Sa 10:10; 11:6; 16:13), the word is tsaleah; Jud 14:6; 15:14 "came mightily," which is the uniform translation of the Revised Version (British and American) (compare Jud 13:25 "to move," i.e. to disturb or stir up). In Jud 6:34; 1Ch 12:18; 2Ch 24:20, it is labhesh, "to clothe"; the Revised Version, margin "The Spirit .... clothed itself with Gideon" and .... "with Zechariah," "The Spirit clothed Amasai."</p><p>Among its many changes, the Revised Version (British and American) has "come forth" for "come" (Mt 2:6); "gone up" for "come" (Mt 14:32, a different text); "come all the way" for "come" (Joh 4:15); "got out upon the" for "come to" (Joh 21:9); "draw near" for "come" (Heb 4:16); "come" for "come and see" (Re 6:1); "secure" for "come by" (Ac 27:16); "attain unto" for "come in" (Eph 4:13); and "I come" for "I come again" (Joh 14:28).</p><p>W. L. Walker</p>