קָדַם (qa.dam)
qa.dam
to meet
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 16 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb qadam carries the basic sense of coming into the presence of another, whether by meeting face-to-face or moving ahead to encounter someone. In its most common form, it describes a physical arrival or confrontation, such as when individuals come before a king or stand in the presence of God. This usage highlights the immediacy of the encounter, emphasizing that the parties are now in direct relation to one another.
Beyond simple meeting, the word often implies precedence or anticipation. In texts like Micah 2:13, it describes a leader who goes before his people, breaking through barriers to lead the way. This forward-moving sense suggests not just being first in time, but actively clearing a path for those who follow. The action is purposeful, turning a simple meeting into a moment of guidance or intervention.
Translators frequently render qadam as "go before," "meet," or "confront" depending on the context. In Psalms, it can describe God’s presence anticipating human need, while in Job, it may refer to facing adversity head-on. The word captures both the physical act of approaching and the relational weight of standing before another, making it a key term for understanding encounters in biblical narrative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qadam invites us to see our relationship with God not as a distant observation, but as a direct encounter. It describes the act of coming face-to-face with another person, whether that is standing before a king or approaching the Creator. In the Psalms, this verb encourages believers to bring their thanksgiving directly into His presence, suggesting that worship is an active movement toward God rather than a passive state.
There is also a comforting dimension to this word in times of distress. When we cry out for help, we ask for God’s mercy to 'meet' us. This implies that He does not wait for us to reach Him first; instead, He anticipates our needs and comes into our situation. Whether you are facing a crisis or seeking guidance, this term reminds you that God is ready to engage with you personally and immediately.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 16 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- they confronted/ me2×
- he will confront/ it2×
- ¿/ will I come to meet/ him1×
- will I come to meet1×
- they met1×
- they have confronted/ me1×
- they had met1×
- they anticipate1×
- may they come to meet/ us1×
- let us approach1×
- did they receive/ me1×
- confront/ !1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יְקַדְּמֶ֣/נָּה2×
- קַדְּמָ֣/ה1×
- קִדַּ֣מְתִּי1×
- קִדַּ֖מְתִּי1×
- קִדְּמֻ֥/נִי1×
- קִדְּמֻ֖/נִי1×
- קִדְּמ֥וּ1×
- קִדְּמ֣וּ/נִי1×
- קִדְּמ֣וּ1×
- קִדְּמ֛וּ1×
- נְקַדְּמָ֣ה1×
- יְקַדְּמֻ֖/נִי1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 95:2
Let’s come before his presence with thanksgiving. Let’s extol him with songs!
This verse uses the word to describe the active posture of bringing thanksgiving directly into God's presence.
-
Psalms 79:8
Don’t hold the iniquities of our forefathers against us. Let your tender mercies speedily meet us, for we are in desperate need.
Here the plea is for God's mercy to actively meet the people in their time of desperate need.
-
Micah 6:6
How shall I come before Yahweh, and bow myself before the exalted God? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old?
The question highlights the reverence required when approaching the exalted God with offerings.