The Hebrew word qedem (קֶדֶם) encompasses both spatial and temporal meanings. Spatially, it means east or "before" in directional terms (since ancient Hebrews oriented themselves facing east). Temporally, it means antiquity, ancient times, aforetime, of old — even reaching into the eternal past. Related forms include qadmon (ancient/eastern) and qadmoniyim (the men of the east). In Psalm 77:5 and Micah 5:2, qedem points to God's eternal existence and the messianic ruler's origins "from of old, from ancient times."
Qedem reminds Israel (and us) that God is not a newcomer to history. His purposes, character, and covenantal plans were established before time began. Micah 5:2 prophesied that the ruler from Bethlehem's "origins are from of old, from ancient times [qedem]" — understood by the early church as pointing to Christ's eternal preexistence. Psalm 93:2 declares, "Your throne was established long ago [qedem]; you are from all eternity." The God of qedem can be fully trusted in the present because His track record stretches before memory into eternity. Deuteronomy 33:27 calls God the "God of old [qedem]," whose everlasting arms hold His people — past, present, and future.