~ were before the ~ 26_EZE_09_06  Slay utterly old [and] young, both maids, and little children, and women, but come not near any man upon whom [is] the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which [were] before the house. #, 40_MAT_24_38  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, #,