passive participle of קָדַם; a pristine hero; ancient.
Transliteration:qâdûwm
Pronunciation:kaw-doom'
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew term `{{H6917}}` (קָדוּם, *qâdûwm*) is identified as a passive participle derived from the root `{{H6923}}` (קָדַם, *qâdam*), meaning "to be before," "to go before," or "to precede." As a passive participle, *qâdûwm* denotes "that which has been preceded," "that which is before," or "that which is ancient." Its core semantic range thus centers on concepts of antiquity, primordial origin, and precedence in time. The provided definition also includes "a pristine hero," suggesting a potential nuance of original, untainted, or foundational eminence, though this specific application is less explicitly attested in direct biblical occurrences of the term itself. Primarily, `{{H6917}}` conveys the sense of something being "ancient" or "from of old," emphasizing its long-standing existence or its existence prior to a given point in time.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The precise singular form of `{{H6917}}` (קָדוּם, *qâdûwm*) is exceedingly rare or not directly attested in the Masoretic Text in its exact lemma form. However, Strong's concordance links it to verses where related forms from the same root (`{{H6923}}`, קָדַם) are used to convey the sense of "ancient" or "primordial." These occurrences provide insight into the conceptual range of `{{H6917}}`:
* **[[Judges 5:21]]**: "The torrent of Kishon swept them away, the torrent of *qedumim*, the ancient torrent."
* Here, the plural form קְדוּמִים (*qedumim*) is used to describe the Kishon River. This usage emphasizes the river's long-standing existence and its enduring presence in the land, particularly in the context of a momentous historical event (Deborah's victory). The term highlights the river's deep roots in the land's history, perhaps even suggesting a primordial or divinely established status that lends it a powerful and unyielding character in the narrative.
* **[[Proverbs 8:22]]**: "The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, *qedem* his works of old."
* In this profound passage, the word used is קֶדֶם (*qedem*, `{{H6924}}`), a noun meaning "east," "before," or "ancient time," which shares the same root as `{{H6917}}`. While not the passive participle `{{H6917}}` itself, its inclusion by Strong's under the conceptual umbrella of `{{H6917}}` underscores a strong semantic overlap in conveying primordial existence. Wisdom, personified, declares her pre-existence with God "before" (קֶדֶם) His creative acts. This verse is foundational for understanding the eternal nature of divine Wisdom and has significant Christological implications, pointing to the pre-incarnate existence of the Logos.
These occurrences, though utilizing derivative forms, demonstrate that the core concept conveyed by `{{H6917}}` and its cognates is profound antiquity, often linked to foundational or divinely ordained realities.
### Related Words & Concepts
The semantic field of `{{H6917}}` is enriched by its relationship to other words stemming from the root `{{H6923}}` (קָדַם, *qâdam*, "to be before," "to precede"):
* **`{{H6923}}` קָדַם (*qâdam*)**: The verbal root itself, signifying precedence in time or space.
* **`{{H6924}}` קֶדֶם (*qedem*)**: A noun meaning "east" (as the direction "before" the rising sun), "ancient time," or "before." This is the word found in [[Proverbs 8:22]] and frequently used to denote primordial times or eternity past (e.g., [[Genesis 2:8]], [[Psalm 74:12]]).
* **`{{H6926}}` קַדְמוֹן (*qadmon*)**: An adjective meaning "eastern" or "ancient." It can refer to people of ancient times or geographic locations to the east (e.g., [[Ezekiel 47:8]]).
* **`{{H6931}}` קַדְמוֹנִי (*qadmoni*)**: An adjective meaning "ancient," "former," or "eastern." It often refers to things or people from olden times, such as ancient proverbs or former generations (e.g., [[1 Samuel 24:13]], [[Ezekiel 38:17]]).
The conceptual family surrounding `{{H6917}}` thus encompasses ideas of eternity, primordial existence, divine foreknowledge, ancient wisdom, historical continuity, and foundational truths.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of `{{H6917}}` and its related terms is considerable, particularly through its conceptual presence in [[Proverbs 8:22]]. This verse, using *qedem* (`{{H6924}}`) from the same root, is a cornerstone for understanding the nature of divine Wisdom.
1. **Pre-existence of Wisdom/Christ**: The declaration that the Lord "possessed" or "brought forth" Wisdom "before His works of old" places Wisdom's existence prior to creation itself. In Christian theology, this passage is frequently interpreted as a profound revelation of the pre-existent Christ, the eternal Logos, who was with God and was God from the very beginning ([[John 1:1-3]]). This highlights the eternal nature of the Son and His active participation in creation.
2. **God's Eternal Nature and Sovereignty**: The concept of "ancient" or "from of old" points to God's own timelessness and His eternal plan. God's declarations and actions are rooted in an antiquity that transcends human comprehension, underscoring His unchangeable nature and His absolute sovereignty over all time—past, present, and future. Passages like [[Isaiah 45:21]] and [[Isaiah 46:10]], though not directly using `{{H6917}}`, employ related concepts of "from ancient times" (מֵאָז, `{{H227}}`) to emphasize God's foreknowledge and His ability to declare the end from the beginning.
3. **Foundational Truth and Enduring Reality**: The description of the Kishon as an "ancient river" in [[Judges 5:21]] can be seen as reflecting the enduring and foundational aspects of God's creation and His involvement in human history. Just as the river has existed "from of old," so too are God's purposes and truths enduring and unchangeable.
### Summary
`{{H6917}}` (קָדוּם, *qâdûwm*), a passive participle of `{{H6923}}` (קָדַם), conveys the meaning of "ancient" or "from of old," emphasizing primordial existence and precedence in time. While the precise singular form is rare in direct biblical attestation, its conceptual force is powerfully present through related terms like קְדוּמִים (*qedumim*) in [[Judges 5:21]] and especially קֶדֶם (*qedem*, `{{H6924}}`) in [[Proverbs 8:22]]. The latter verse is of immense theological significance, portraying the pre-existence of divine Wisdom (often understood as the Logos, Christ) with God before creation. The study of `{{H6917}}` thus illuminates fundamental aspects of God's eternal nature, His sovereign plan, and the enduring, foundational truths that underpin creation and redemption. It points to a God who is not bound by time, whose wisdom and purposes are "from of old," established before the very fabric of existence.
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