קַדְמַי (qad.may)
qad.may
first
A:AQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 3 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- A:A
Word Overview
The Hebrew adjective qadmay means "first" or "former." It appears only three times in the Old Testament, all within the book of Daniel. In these contexts, it serves to distinguish between two similar things by marking one as the earlier or preceding instance.
Its primary usage is comparative, often translating a phrase like "the first... and another second." For example, in Daniel 2:31-35, it describes the head of gold that stands before the other metals of the statue. Similarly, in Daniel 7:4, it refers to the first beast, setting it apart from the subsequent creatures. The word highlights sequence and priority rather than quality or rank.
This term is distinct from qadmon, which generally means "ancient" or "of old." While qadmon points to great distance in time, qadmay focuses on immediate order. It marks the starting point in a series, helping the reader track the progression of visions and empires without implying that the first item was superior, only that it came before.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word qadmay simply marks order in a sequence. It tells us which item comes first without judging its worth. In Daniel’s visions, this term helps readers track the rise and fall of empires by establishing clear chronological markers. The head of gold is not necessarily better than the chest of silver; it is merely earlier.
When you encounter such language in Scripture, it invites patience rather than anxiety. God’s timeline unfolds in stages, each distinct yet part of a larger whole. You do not need to force meaning into every detail beyond what is stated. Trusting that history moves under divine oversight brings peace when the future feels uncertain.
This focus on sequence reminds us that our place in time is part of a broader narrative. We are not lost in chaos but situated within a story that God directs. Finding rest in this order allows us to face change with steady faith, knowing that every step has its appointed moment.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 3 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- former [kings]/ the1×
- first/ the1×
- <the>/ former1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- קַדְמָיֵ֔/א1×
- קַדְמָיְתָ֣/א1×
- קַדְמָ֣יָתָ֔/א1×
Key Verses
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Daniel 7:4
“The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from the earth and made to stand on two feet as a man. A man’s heart was given to it.
This verse uses the term to identify the lion as the initial beast in a sequence of four, establishing the starting point of the vision's timeline.
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Daniel 7:8
“I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the first horns were plucked up by the roots; and behold, in this horn were eyes like the eyes of a man, and a mouth speaking arrogantly.
Here the word distinguishes the original three horns from the little horn that rises later, highlighting a shift in power dynamics within the same kingdom.
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Daniel 7:24
As for the ten horns, ten kings will arise out of this kingdom. Another will arise after them; and he will be different from the former, and he will put down three kings.
The text contrasts the new king with the former ones, using the term to emphasize his distinct nature and actions rather than just his position in time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does qadmay mean in the Bible?
How is qadmay different from other words for first?
Why does Daniel use this word so much?
Every Occurrence (3 verses across 1 books)
Daniel 3 verses
“The first was like a lion, and had eagle’s wings. I watched until its wings were plucked, and it was lifted up from…
Daniel 7:8“I considered the horns, and behold, there came up among them another horn, a little one, before which three of the…
Daniel 7:24As for the ten horns, ten kings will arise out of this kingdom. Another will arise after them; and he will be different…