Lexical Summary Kushi: Cushi Original Word: כּוּשִׁי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Cushi The same as Kuwshiy; Cushi, the name of two Israelites -- Cushi. see HEBREW Kuwshiy NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as Kush Definition two Isr. NASB Translation Cushi (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. כּוּשׁי proper name, masculine ᵐ5 Ξουσει — 1 Jeremiah 36:14 great-grandfather of יְהוּדִי, q. v. (perhaps original appellation Cushite). 2 father of prophet Zephaniah Zephaniah 1:1. Topical Lexicon Occurrence and Context Jeremiah 36:14 records the sole appearance of Kushi: “Then all the officials sent Jehudi son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to Baruch, saying, ‘Bring the scroll that you read in the hearing of the people and come here.’ ”. Kushi stands as the great-grandfather of Jehudi, an official messenger in the court of King Jehoiakim during Jeremiah’s ministry (circa 605 BC). Historical Setting in Jeremiah Jeremiah 36 narrates the prophetic scroll episode in which Jeremiah dictates, Baruch writes, and palace officials respond before King Jehoiakim burns the scroll. The genealogy anchoring Jehudi to Kushi situates a Cushite lineage inside Judah’s administrative elite. This detail surfaces at a moment when the nation is resisting divine warning and the written Word is under assault. Kushi’s name quietly witnesses that God’s purposes are unfolding through diverse peoples even within a rebellious covenant community. Ethnic and Social Background “Kushi” denotes origin from Cush (upper Nile region). Unlike the generic term “Cushite,” here it functions as a personal name. Its placement in an official family tree implies: • Assimilation of Cushite descendants into Judean society prior to the exile. Role within the Narrative Though Kushi never acts within the story, his family line yields Jehudi, whose faithful conveyance of Jeremiah’s scroll sets the stage for Jehoiakim’s rejection. The contrast is striking: a king of David’s line scorns God’s Word while a descendant of Cush helps transmit it. God thus vindicates His sovereignty, using whichever vessels are willing, regardless of pedigree. Theological Themes 1. Sovereign Inclusion: Kushi’s presence anticipates the Old Testament trajectory toward Gentile blessing (Genesis 12:3), culminating in Christ’s commission (Matthew 28:19). Connections with Other Cushites in Scripture • Ebed-Melech (Jeremiah 38–39) – another Cushite who trusts the Lord and aids Jeremiah, receiving a personal promise of deliverance. Ministry Implications • Embrace Diversity: Churches and ministries should welcome God-given partnerships from every ethnicity, recognizing that obedience, not ancestry, qualifies a servant. Lessons for Today 1. God often weaves unnoticed individuals into pivotal moments of redemptive history. Kushi’s solitary mention thus unfolds a rich tapestry: a Cushite ancestor in Judah’s court, a silent yet strategic link in preserving prophetic revelation, and a testament to God’s inclusive, unstoppable plan. Forms and Transliterations כּוּשִׁי֮ כושי kū·šî kuShi kūšîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Jeremiah 36:14 HEB: שֶׁלֶמְיָ֣הוּ בֶן־ כּוּשִׁי֮ לֵאמֹר֒ הַמְּגִלָּ֗ה NAS: the son of Cushi, to Baruch, KJV: the son of Cushi, unto Baruch, INT: of Shelemiah the son of Cushi saying the scroll |
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