The Hebrew verb מצא (mâtzâ') means “to find.” Genesis 8:9 displays a straightforward use of מצא (mâtzâ') when it states, "but the dove found (מצאה) no place to set its foot." Verses like Exodus 33:17, "for you have found (מצאת) favor in my sight," show another common use of מצא (mâtzâ') where the verb takes on a sense of "obtaining," "attaining," or "being found." מצא (mâtzâ') can also be used to relate arrival. In such cases, מצא (mâtzâ') is translated as "reaching" or "coming upon." For example, Genesis 11:2 states, "And as they migrated from the east, they came upon (וימצאו) a plain in the land of Shinar and settled there."