Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord; the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

Before she goes into labor, she gives birth! Before her contractions begin, she delivers a boy!

“Before I formed you in your mother’s womb I chose you. Before you were born I set you apart. I appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.”

before the mountains were set in place – before the hills – I was born,

Show the Lord your God the respect that is due him. Do it before he brings the darkness of disaster. Do it before you stumble into distress like a traveler on the mountains at twilight. Do it before he turns the light of deliverance you hope for into the darkness and gloom of exile.

Now before the spies went to sleep, Rahab went up to the roof.

before I depart, never to return, to the land of darkness and the deepest shadow,

Turn your angry gaze away from me, so I can be happy before I pass away.

Before I was afflicted I used to stray off, but now I keep your instructions.

The one who gives an answer before he listens – that is his folly and his shame.

Two things I ask from you; do not refuse me before I die:

before God’s decree becomes reality and the day of opportunity disappears like windblown chaff, before the Lord’s raging anger overtakes you – before the day of the Lord’s angry judgment overtakes you!

Now Joseph’s brothers saw him from a distance, and before he reached them, they plotted to kill him.

Then Israel said, “Enough! My son Joseph is still alive! I will go and see him before I die.”

But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet fear the Lord God.”

So the people took their dough before the yeast was added, with their kneading troughs bound up in their clothing on their shoulders.

and the lamp of God had not yet been extinguished. Samuel was lying down in the temple of the Lord as well; the ark of God was also there.

Arrogant people cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who behave wickedly.

Before the kindling is even placed under your pots, he will sweep it away along with both the raw and cooked meat.

Even before the mountains came into existence, or you brought the world into being, you were the eternal God.