קַדְמָה
𐤒𐤃𐤌𐤄
qadmâh
H6927 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
A noun and adverb indicating priority in time, the front position, or precedence. As a noun, it denotes 'eastward direction' or 'eastern/front position' due to the orientation of the ancient Israelite worldview, as well as 'former times,' 'ancient days,' or 'antiquity.' Used adverbially, it can mean 'before' or 'formerly.' The semantic nuances depend on whether it describes spatial orientation or temporal precedence, often referencing the distant past, an earlier estate, or an original position.
Semantic Range
eastward direction, front or forward position, precedence or priority in time, former times, antiquity, ancient days, former (old) estate, earlier condition, in front (spatially or temporally), before (in time)
Root / Etymology
Derived from the root קדמ (קדם), which fundamentally means 'to be in front,' 'to precede,' or 'to be earlier.' The noun קַדְמָה is a feminine noun formed from this root and can refer both to the east (as forward-facing in Israelite orientation) and to chronological priority or antiquity.
Historical & Contextual Notes
In ancient Israelite culture, orientation was commonly 'east-facing,' making 'the front' or 'forward' synonymous with 'east.' Thus, קַדְמָה takes on both spatial (east, front) and temporal (former, ancient) senses. In poetic and historical texts, it often evokes an idealized or foundational era ('days of old'), while in narrative passages it may refer specifically to earlier times or pre-existing conditions. English translations frequently choose 'before,' 'antiquity,' or 'former estate,' which can obscure the term's spatial undertones. Related terms: קֶדֶם (qedem, east/orient/ancient) and קָדִים (qadim, east/east wind), both highlighting how space and time concepts overlap in Hebrew thought.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
from קָדַם; priority (in time); also used adverbially (before); afore, antiquity, former (old) estate.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been submitted for this word yet.
+ Add Bantu Hebrew WordRoot Family
קדם (q-d-m) — to precede, to be in front, to be earlier
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6917 | קָדוּם | those from before |
| H6921 | קָדִים | the east |
| H6923 | קָדַם | I will go ahead to meet |
| H6924 | קֶדֶם | the front |
| H6925 | קֳדָם | before you |
Word Forms
5 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6927-02 |
לְ/קַדְמָתָ֔/ן | leqadematan | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3fp |
to former state | to their former state | 2 |
H6927-04 |
קַדְמָתָ/הּ֙ | qadematah | HNcfsc/Sp3fs |
whose antiquity | her antiquity | 1 |
H6927-03 |
לְ/קַדְמַתְ/כֶֽן | leqadematekhen | HR/Ncfsc/Sp2fp |
to your former state | to your former condition | 1 |
H6927-05 |
שֶׁ/קַּדְמַ֖ת | sheqademat | HTr/Ncfsc |
before | antiquity of | 1 |
H6927-01 |
כְּ/קַדְמֽוֹתֵי/כֶ֗ם | keqademoteykhem | HR/Ncfpc/Sp2mp |
as in former times | like your former times | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
6 total occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6927-04 |
Isaiah 23:7 | קַדְמָתָ/הּ֙ | qadematah | HNcfsc/Sp3fs |
whose antiquity | her antiquity |
H6927-02 |
Ezekiel 16:55 | לְ/קַדְמָתָ֔/ן | leqadematan | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3fp |
to former state | to their former state |
H6927-02 |
Ezekiel 16:55 | לְ/קַדְמָתָ֑/ן | leqadematan-2 | HR/Ncfsc/Sp3fp |
to former state | to their former state |
H6927-03 |
Ezekiel 16:55 | לְ/קַדְמַתְ/כֶֽן | leqadematekhen | HR/Ncfsc/Sp2fp |
to your former state | to your former condition |
H6927-01 |
Ezekiel 36:11 | כְּ/קַדְמֽוֹתֵי/כֶ֗ם | keqademoteykhem | HR/Ncfpc/Sp2mp |
as in former times | like your former times |
H6927-05 |
Psalms 129:6 | שֶׁ/קַּדְמַ֖ת | sheqademat | HTr/Ncfsc |
before | antiquity of |