### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **qadmôwnîy**, represented by `{{H6931}}`, carries a dual meaning related to both time and space. Its definition includes concepts like **anterior**, **ancient**, and **(thing of) old**, as well as **oriental** or **east**. It appears **10 times** across **10 unique verses**, serving to orient the reader either chronologically in the distant past or geographically toward the east.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In biblical usage, `{{H6931}}` points to things that are temporally distant. God instructs his people not to dwell on "the things of **old**" [[Isaiah 43:18]] when he is doing a new thing. It is used to refer to the "proverb of the **ancients**" [[1 Samuel 24:13]] and the faithfulness of God in "**former** years" [[Malachi 3:4]]. The word also has a clear directional sense, frequently denoting the east. Prophetic visions describe the "east gate" of the LORD's house ([[Ezekiel 10:19]], [[Ezekiel 11:1]]) and the "**east** sea" as a significant boundary ([[Joel 2:20]], [[Ezekiel 47:18]]).
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words help clarify the temporal and spatial meanings of `{{H6931}}`:
* `{{H7223}}` **riʼshôwn** (first, former): This word often describes things that are first in a sequence or from a former time. It is used in parallel with `{{H6931}}` to contrast "**former things**" with "**things of old**" [[Isaiah 43:18]].
* `{{H314}}` **ʼachărôwn** (hinder, last, western): As a direct opposite, this term is used to denote the last in time or the western direction. It is explicitly contrasted with `{{H6931}}` in the vision of living waters flowing to the "**former** sea" and the "**hinder** sea" [[Zechariah 14:8]].
* `{{H6921}}` **qâdîym** (east, eastward): This word is closely tied to the geographical meaning of `{{H6931}}`. Ezekiel describes the "**east** gate" `{{H6931}}` of the Lord's house as one that "looketh **eastward**" `{{H6921}}` [[Ezekiel 11:1]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{H6931}}` is evident in its application to God's long-standing plans and his sacred geography.
* **Prophetic History:** The term affirms the ancient roots of prophecy, as God references what he has "spoken in **old** time by my servants the prophets of Israel" [[Ezekiel 38:17]], grounding current events in his eternal foreknowledge.
* **Sacred Direction:** The "east" is established as a direction of spiritual significance. The "east gate" is a focal point of divine activity in Ezekiel's visions [[Ezekiel 10:19]], linking `{{H6931}}` to the movements of God's glory.
* **Temporal Perspective:** The word is used to frame human perspective in relation to God's work. While the "proverb of the **ancients**" [[1 Samuel 24:13]] provides wisdom, the command to not focus on the "**things of old**" [[Isaiah 43:18]] calls for faith in God's ongoing, future actions.
### Summary
In summary, `{{H6931}}` is a versatile word that defines both the past and the east. It is used to recall ancient wisdom, God's historic faithfulness, and the long-established word of the prophets. At the same time, it orients the biblical narrative geographically, marking the "east sea" and the "east gate" as places of divine action and demarcation. The word illustrates how scripture uses language to place God's work within the dimensions of both time and space.
TRV