Lexical Summary qedumim: Ancient ones, ancients, those of old Original Word: קָדוּם Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ancient Passive participle of qadam; a pristine hero -- ancient. see HEBREW qadam NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as qedem Definition perhaps ancient NASB Translation ancient (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs קְדוּמִים noun [masculine] plural only ׳(נַחַל) ק Judges 5:21, meaning dubious; ᵐ5A proper name Καδησειμ, ᵐ5L Καδημειμ; ᵐ5B ἀρχαίων, so ᵑ7, AV ancient river (literally of antiquity), Bachm and others; Be and others of attack (compare קָדַם 1a); see further GFM Bu Now CookEncy. Bib. 2683. Topical Lexicon Overview of Meaning The term conveys the sense of something that predates human memory—long-established, time-honored, or primeval. It evokes events and realities rooted in the earliest stages of God’s dealings with His creation and His covenant people. Canonical Context Only occurrence: Judges 5:21. In the victory hymn of Deborah and Barak, the River Kishon is called “the ancient River”. The song links the present triumph over Sisera with the Lord’s earlier, time-tested acts of judgment and salvation. By describing the torrent as “ancient,” the text elevates the battle beyond a single historical episode, setting it within the grand narrative of Yahweh’s enduring faithfulness. Historical and Geographical Backdrop The Kishon cuts through the Jezreel Valley and empties into the Mediterranean Sea near Mount Carmel. Seasonal floods could transform the wadi into a fierce torrent. In Deborah’s day, its sudden rise overwhelmed Sisera’s chariot-bound army (Judges 4:13, Judges 5:20-21). Calling Kishon “ancient” reminds listeners that the land’s very geography has long been an instrument in the Lord’s hand, waiting to serve His purposes. Theological Emphases 1. Continuity of Divine Action The adjective ties present deliverance to God’s historic interventions (compare Exodus 14:15-31; Joshua 3:14-17). The same God who once parted waters now marshals them to sweep away Israel’s foes. By naming the river “ancient,” the song invites Israel to rehearse past mercies, cultivating gratitude and faith for future conflicts (Psalm 77:11-12). Nature itself responds to the Creator’s summons. The floodwaters illustrate that the physical world is not neutral but participates in covenant history (Psalm 104:1-32; Nahum 1:3-6). Literary Impact in Judges 5 The word lends poetic depth. Parallelism (“The River Kishon swept them away—the ancient River, the River Kishon”) heightens the drama, while repetition underscores both the river’s antiquity and its newly demonstrated power. Deborah’s ensuing exhortation—“March on, O my soul, in strength!”—flows naturally from reflecting on a God whose works transcend generations. Connections with Other Biblical Imagery While the specific term appears only once, Scripture frequently uses related vocabulary to portray God as “Ancient of Days” (Daniel 7:9) and His paths as “long ago” (Habakkuk 3:6). These parallels reinforce the notion that His redemptive acts are anchored in eternity and continue unabated. Implications for Worship and Ministry • Remembering ancient deeds fuels present confidence. Congregational worship can recount historic deliverances to strengthen trust amid modern trials. Application for Personal Discipleship Meditating on Judges 5:21 positions the believer within a account that stretches back to the dawn of time. Recognizing that the same “ancient” God guides their steps today fosters endurance, courage, and a posture of expectant praise. Forms and Transliterations קְדוּמִ֖ים קדומים keduMim qə·ḏū·mîm qəḏūmîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Judges 5:21 HEB: גְּרָפָ֔ם נַ֥חַל קְדוּמִ֖ים נַ֣חַל קִישׁ֑וֹן NAS: swept them away, The ancient torrent, KJV: swept them away, that ancient river, INT: swept torrent the ancient the torrent Kishon 1 Occurrence |
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