The Hebrew verb qadam means to go before, to come to meet, to anticipate, or to confront. It is related to qedem (ancient times, East) and carries the sense of something prior or preceding — whether in time (ancient, primordial) or space (in front of, meeting).
Qadam is used of God's sovereign prevenience — he acts before we do. Psalm 59:10 reads: 'My God in his steadfast love will meet me.' This is the God who comes to meet us before we come to him: Amos 9:10 warns that the day of the Lord will 'come upon' the sinners; Psalm 21:3 declares that God 'meets' the king 'with rich blessings.' The doctrine of grace is embedded here: God qadams — he anticipates, goes before, prepares the way. Jesus enacts this in the parable of the prodigal son: the father runs to meet the returning son, qadaming him in extravagant welcome before a word of confession is spoken (Luke 15:20).