קַדְמָה
𐤒𐤃𐤌𐤄
qadmâh
H6928 noun
SILEX Entry
Definition
An earlier or preceding time, the past; denotes former times or an earlier era, particularly in contrast with the present moment. Used to refer to times that have gone by, often with an emphasis on antiquity or previous events.
Semantic Range
ancient time, former time, the past, aforetime, previously, antiquity
Root / Etymology
From the root קדם, which carries the primary sense of 'to precede, go before, be in front.' The form קַדְמָה, as an Aramaic noun, appears in biblical Aramaic and is derived from this root. It is related to the Hebrew cognate קֶדֶם (qedem, 'east' or 'antiquity/past').
Historical & Contextual Notes
קַדְמָה occurs only in the Aramaic sections of the Hebrew Bible (e.g., Daniel), primarily in the expression 'from former times' or 'previously.' The term is used to describe the past or antiquity, often emphasizing a time before the current era or reigning authority. Its Hebrew counterpart קֶדֶם is found in more diverse contexts, including geographic (east) and temporal (ancient days) meanings. English translations typically render קַדְמָה as 'former times' or 'the past,' but may not fully capture the nuance of its focus on precedence or antiquity. The use of קַדְמָה in the Aramaic portions of the biblical text reflects both continuity with and differentiation from the Hebrew term, showing how the concept of 'the past' was expressed by Israelites during the exilic and early Persian periods, when Aramaic became an administrative language.
Original Strong's Gloss (1890)
(Aramaic) corresponding to קַדְמָה; former time; afore(-time), ago.
Bantu Hebrew
No Bantu Hebrew comparisons have been recorded for this word yet.
Root Family
קדם (Qedemah) — to precede, to be in front, to come before (in time or space)
| Strong's | Lemma | SIBI-P1 |
|---|---|---|
| H6917 | קָדוּם | those from before |
| H6921 | קָדִים | the east |
| H6924 | קֶדֶם | the front |
| H6925 | קֳדָם | before you |
| H6926 | קִדְמָה | front/eastern region of |
Word Forms
2 distinct forms
| SIDANCE | Surface | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 | Occurrences |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6928-01 |
מִ/קַּדְמַ֤ת | miqademat | AR/Ncfsc |
ago | from former time of | from former times | 1 |
H6928-02 |
קַדְמַ֖ת | qademat | ANcfsc |
before | former-time of | former time | 1 |
Occurrences in Scripture
2 occurrences
| SIDANCE | Reference | Word | Transliteration | Morphology | Common | SIBI-P1 | SIBI-P2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
H6928-02 |
Daniel 6:11 | קַדְמַ֖ת | qademat | ANcfsc |
before | former-time of | former time |
H6928-01 |
Ezra 5:11 | מִ/קַּדְמַ֤ת | miqademat | AR/Ncfsc |
ago | from former time of | from former times |