To lead is “to head,” as the head leads the body (or ought to). קדם QeDeM, besides earlier and eastern (Genesis 25:6), means front or forward (Psalms 139:5). קדם QaDahM is to go forward or HEAD FOR something. קדם QeeDaiM is to HEAD OFF or precede. קדימה QaDeeYMaH is AHEAD; קדמה QeeDMaH is progress or HEADWAY. Ethiopic qadama means he preceded (or headed for).
Paradoxically, for a word that can mean forward progress, קדם QeDeM is the past, ancient or previous times (Deuteronomy 33:15). The "eastern" meaning is key to understanding the paradox, since when we head east, we both progress and go back in time.
קדם QaDeM in Edenic would mean a place of advancement, progress. Too many Humanities ACADEMICS, seem more interested in getting tenure in the previous generation’s theories.