φθάνω (fthάnō) — to come to / to reach / to arrive

Notes: There are no doubt certain subtle distinctions of meaning in ἐφικνέομαιφθάνω[a], καταντάω[a], and ἥκω[a], but it is not possible to determine what the distinctive features are on the basis of existing contexts.; In the case of meanings involving to attain to a state, there is obviously a change in state implied, but the focus seems to be primarily on the end point, and hence these meanings are classified in this subdomain rather than in the following subdomain.

Form 1

Part of speech: verb

Related lemmas: προφθάνω

Sense 1: to come to, to reach, to arrive

Semantic entry: 15.84

Semantic domains: Linear Movement

Subdomains: Come, Come To, Arrive

Definition: to move toward and to arrive at a point{N:001}

Show passage in OET: CO2 10:14

OET-RV CO2 10:14

14 In not reaching you we don’t overextend ourselves, because we came your way with the good message about the messiah.

OET-LV CO2 10:14

14 not not For/Because as reaching to you _all, we _are _overextending ourselves, because/for until also of _you _all we _came in the good _message of _the chosen _one /messiah,

Jump to OET CO2 10:14 section.

Sense 2: to come/go prior to, to come/go beforehand, to precede

Semantic entry: 15.141

Semantic domains: Linear Movement

Subdomains: Come/Go Prior To

Definition: to come/go prior to some other event, normally one involving a similar type of movement

Notes: Though the movement referred to by φθάνω[b] and προέρχομαι[c] may involve movement which is spacially ahead of someone else, nevertheless the focus of meaning is not a spacial relationship but a temporal one.

Show passage in OET: TH1 4:15

OET-RV TH1 4:15

15 So this is what we’re saying in Yahweh’s message: those who are still living when the master returns, we certainly won’t precede those who’ve already died

OET-LV TH1 4:15

15 For/Because this to _you _all we _are _saying in the_message of_the_master, that we the ones living, which being _remaining to the coming of _the master, by _no _means not may _precede the ones having _been _fallen _asleep.

Jump to OET TH1 4:15 section.

Sense 3: to come to be, to attain, to achieve

Semantic entry: 13.16

Semantic domains: Be, Become, Exist, Happen

Subdomains: State

Definition: to attain or arrive at a particular state{N:002}

Notes: Though grammatically it is the law which is not attained in OET ROM 9:31, semantically it is, of course, the state of righteousness which was the ultimate goal, and hence it was this particular state which was not attained.

Show passage in OET: ROM 9:31

OET-RV ROM 9:31

31 but Yehudim (Jews) who chased after righteousness by obeying The Law didn’t achieve it?

OET-LV ROM 9:31