Lexical Summary Kushan: Kushan Original Word: כּוּשָׁן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Cushan, a region of Arabia Perhaps from Kuwsh; Cushan, a region of Arabia: see HEBREW Kuwsh NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as Kush Definition a region of Arabia NASB Translation Cushan (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs כּוּשָׁן proper name, of a people or territory, only ׳אָהֳלֵי כ Habakkuk 3:7 ("" מִדְיָן), ᵐ5 Αιθιοπων. Topical Lexicon Biblical SettingCushan appears once in Scripture, Habakkuk 3:7, within the prophet’s hymn describing the LORD’s march from Sinai to deliver His people. The single occurrence places Cushan side-by-side with Midian in poetic parallelism: “I saw the tents of Cushan in distress; the tent curtains of the land of Midian were trembling” (Habakkuk 3:7). The collocation suggests that Cushan denotes a tribe or region closely associated with Midian, located in the arid expanses southeast of the Dead Sea and north of the Arabian Peninsula. Geographical and Ethnological Identity 1. Association with Midian Parallelism, a common Hebrew poetic device, pairs Cushan with Midian as twin witnesses to Yahweh’s advance. Both peoples were nomadic tent-dwellers (cf. Exodus 2:15–22; Numbers 31:7–10). Their shared description as “tents” and “curtains” underscores an itinerant lifestyle and highlights the vulnerability of desert tribes before the Almighty. 2. Possible Link to Cush (Sudan/Ethiopia) Because the root consonants match those of Cush, some scholars relate Cushan to the African Cush. Yet the immediate pairing with Midian, an Arabian group, favors viewing Cushan as a northern Arabian clan whose name preserves a memory of earlier Cushite migration. Scripture attests to Cushite presence in Arabia (Isaiah 11:11; 2 Chronicles 14:9–13), making an Arabian-Cushite identity plausible. 3. Relation to Cushan-Rishathaim Judges 3:8–10 recounts Israel’s subjugation by “Cushan-Rishathaim king of Aram-naharaim.” While the shared element “Cushan” invites comparison, the Habakkuk reference is shorter and lacks the double epithet. Whether the prophet alludes to that earlier oppressor or to a cognate people group remains uncertain. What is clear is the thematic harmony: both contexts depict Yahweh overthrowing enemies to rescue His covenant community. Historical Significance The mention of Cushan situates Habakkuk’s prayer within the grand narrative of exodus and conquest. As the LORD once led Israel from Sinai through Edom and Midian to the promised land (Deuteronomy 33:2; Judges 5:4–5), so He will again intervene against foreign powers threatening Judah in Habakkuk’s day. Cushan stands as a representative of hostile nations, demonstrating that no tribe—be it desert nomad or imperial aggressor—can resist the divine Warrior. Theological Themes 1. Universal Lordship The shaking of Cushan’s tents testifies that Yahweh’s authority extends beyond Israel’s borders. He is “the LORD of all the earth” (Joshua 3:11), and His glory terrifies distant peoples. 2. Covenant Faithfulness The memory of God’s past victories reassures the faithful remnant. As He once humbled Cushan and Midian, He will not fail to vindicate His people again (Habakkuk 3:2, 13). 3. Eschatological Pattern Habakkuk’s theophany anticipates future manifestations of divine judgment culminating in Christ’s return. Cushan’s trembling foreshadows the universal upheaval described in passages such as Revelation 6:15–17. Ministry Applications 1. Confidence in Prayer Believers may trace the line of God’s historical acts—from Cushan’s distress to Christ’s triumph—and appeal to His unchanging character when interceding for deliverance today (Hebrews 13:8). 2. Missionary Vision Cushan exemplifies nations once outside the covenant yet within God’s redemptive scope. The Great Commission commands the Church to bring the gospel to every ethnic group, including modern descendants of ancient Arabian and African peoples (Matthew 28:19). 3. Worship and Awe Habakkuk responded to God’s past deeds with trembling worship (Habakkuk 3:16–19). Corporate praise that rehearses salvation history—naming Cushan, Midian, and other defeated foes—magnifies divine majesty and strengthens faith amid present trials. Related References Exodus 15:14–16; Deuteronomy 33:2; Judges 3:8–10; Judges 5:4–5; Isaiah 11:11; Habakkuk 3:3–15; Revelation 6:15–17. Forms and Transliterations כוּשָׁ֑ן כושן chuShan ḵū·šān ḵūšānLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Habakkuk 3:7 HEB: רָאִ֖יתִי אָהֳלֵ֣י כוּשָׁ֑ן יִרְגְּז֕וּן יְרִיע֖וֹת NAS: the tents of Cushan under KJV: the tents of Cushan in affliction: INT: saw the tents of Cushan were trembling the tent |
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