'Former Time' in the Bible

Then spake she, saying, - They, used to speak, in former times, saying, Enquire, in Abel! And, so, they ended it.

For there is no gloom to her who had been in anguish, In the former time, he brought into dishonour The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, In the latter time, hath he brought into honour The Lake-way over the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.

Then shall they build the wastes of a bygone age, The desolations of former times, shall they raise up, - And they shall build anew - The cities laid waste, The desolations of generation after generation.