Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Concordance • Thesaurus • Hebrew • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia Cush is a significant biblical figure and region mentioned in the Scriptures, often associated with the descendants of Noah and the geographical areas in and around the northeastern part of Africa. The name "Cush" appears in various contexts throughout the Bible, referring both to a person and a region.Genealogical Context: Cush is first introduced in the Table of Nations in Genesis 10, where he is listed as a son of Ham, one of Noah's three sons. Genesis 10:6 states, "The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan." Cush is thus a patriarchal figure, and his descendants are believed to have settled in regions that are historically associated with Africa. Cush is also noted as the father of Nimrod, a mighty hunter and a significant figure in early post-flood history. Genesis 10:8-9 records, "Cush was the father of Nimrod, who began to be a mighty one on the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the LORD; so it is said, 'Like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before the LORD.'" Geographical Context: The land of Cush is often identified with the region south of Egypt, corresponding to modern-day Sudan and parts of Ethiopia. This identification is supported by various biblical references that associate Cush with regions known for their proximity to the Nile River and its tributaries. In Isaiah 18:1-2 , Cush is described as a land "beyond the rivers of Cush," indicating its location relative to the known world of the ancient Near East. The prophet Isaiah speaks of Cush as a powerful nation, sending envoys by sea, which suggests a well-established and influential kingdom. Historical and Prophetic Context: Cush is frequently mentioned in the context of biblical prophecies and historical narratives. The prophets often refer to Cush in their oracles against the nations, highlighting its role in the geopolitical landscape of the ancient world. For instance, in Ezekiel 30:4-5 , Cush is listed among the nations that will experience the judgment of God: "A sword will come against Egypt, and there will be anguish in Cush when the slain fall in Egypt, and her wealth is carried away, and her foundations are torn down. Cush, Put, Lud, all the mixed people, and Libya, and the people of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with them." The Psalms also mention Cush in a more positive light, as in Psalm 68:31 , which prophesies, "Envoys will arrive from Egypt; Cush will stretch out her hands to God." This verse suggests a future acknowledgment of God's sovereignty by the people of Cush. Cush in the New Testament: While the New Testament does not directly mention Cush, the region's influence and the spread of its people are implied in the account of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:27-39. The eunuch, a high official from the court of the queen of the Ethiopians, is considered by many scholars to be a descendant of Cush. His conversion and baptism by Philip the Evangelist signify the early spread of Christianity into Africa. Cultural and Theological Significance: Cush holds a place of importance in biblical history as a representation of the diverse peoples and nations that interacted with Israel. The biblical narrative often uses Cush to illustrate themes of judgment, redemption, and the universal reach of God's plan. The inclusion of Cush in the genealogies and prophecies underscores the interconnectedness of all nations under God's sovereign rule. In summary, Cush is a multifaceted term in the Bible, encompassing both a lineage from Noah's son Ham and a geographical region known for its historical and prophetic significance. The biblical references to Cush highlight its role in the unfolding account of God's interaction with humanity. Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary CushCushan, Cushi, Ethiopians; blackness Smith's Bible Dictionary Cush(black), a Benjamite mentioned only in the title to (Psalms 7:1) He was probably a follower of Saul, the head of his tribe. (B.C. 1061). ATS Bible Dictionary Cush1. The eldest son of Ham, and father of Nimrod, Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabtecha, most of whom settled in Arabia Felix, Genesis 10:6-8. 2. The countries peopled by the descendants of Cush, and generally called in the English Bible, Ethiopia, though not always. But under this name there seem to be included not less than three different countries: A. The oriental Cush, comprehending the regions of Persis, Chusistan, and Susiana, in Persia. It lay chiefly to the eastward of the Tigris. Hither we may refer the river Gihon, Genesis 2:13 Zephaniah 3:10. See EDEN. B. The Hebrews also, in the opinion of many, used Cush and Cushan, Habakkuk 3:7, to designate the southern parts of Arabia, and the coast of the Red sea. From this country originated Nimrod, who established himself in Mesopotamia, Genesis 10:8. The "Ethiopian woman," too, whom Moses married during the march of the Israelites through the desert, came probably from this Cush, Exodus 2:16-21 Numbers 12:1 2 Chronicles 21:16. C. But, more commonly, Cush signifies Ethiopia proper, lying south and southeast of Egypt, and now called Abyssinia, Isaiah 18:1 20:3-5 Jeremiah 13:23 Ezekiel 29:10 Daniel 11:43. Easton's Bible Dictionary Black. (1.) A son, probably the eldest, of Ham, and the father of Nimrod (Genesis 10:8; 1 Chronicles 1:10). From him the land of Cush seems to have derived its name. The question of the precise locality of the land of Cush has given rise to not a little controversy. The second river of Paradise surrounded the whole land of Cush (Genesis 2:13, R.V.). The term Cush is in the Old Testament generally applied to the countries south of the Israelites. It was the southern limit of Egypt (Ezek. 29:10, A.V. "Ethiopia, " Hebrews Cush), with which it is generally associated (Psalm 68:31; Isaiah 18:1; Jeremiah 46:9, etc.). It stands also associated with Elam (Isaiah 11:11), with Persia (Ezek. 38:5), and with the Sabeans (Isaiah 45:14). From these facts it has been inferred that Cush included Arabia and the country on the west coast of the Red Sea. Rawlinson takes it to be the country still known as Khuzi-stan, on the east side of the Lower Tigris. But there are intimations which warrant the conclusion that there was also a Cush in Africa, the Ethiopia (so called by the Greeks) of Africa. Ezekiel speaks (29:10; Comp. 30:4-6) of it as lying south of Egypt. It was the country now known to us as Nubia and Abyssinia (Isaiah 18:1; Zephaniah 3:10, Hebrews Cush). In ancient Egyptian inscriptions Ethiopia is termed Kesh. The Cushites appear to have spread along extensive tracts, stretching from the Upper Nile to the Euphrates and Tigris. At an early period there was a stream of migration of Cushites "from Ethiopia, properly so called, through Arabia, Babylonia, and Persia, to Western India." The Hamite races, soon after their arrival in Africa, began to spread north, east, and west. Three branches of the Cushite or Ethiopian stock, moving from Western Asia, settled in the regions contiguous to the Persian Gulf. One branch, called the Cossaeans, settled in the mountainous district on the east of the Tigris, known afterwards as Susiana; another occupied the lower regions of the Euphrates and the Tigris; while a third colonized the southern shores and islands of the gulf, whence they afterwards emigrated to the Mediterranean and settled on the coast of Palestine as the Phoenicians. Nimrod was a great Cushite chief. He conquered the Accadians, a Tauranian race, already settled in Mesopotamia, and founded his kingdom, the Cushites mingling with the Accads, and so forming the Chaldean nation. (2.) A Benjamite of this name is mentioned in the title of Psalm 7. "Cush was probably a follower of Saul, the head of his tribe, and had sought the friendship of David for the purpose of 'rewarding evil to him that was at peace with him.'" International Standard Bible Encyclopedia CUSH (1)kush (kush): CUSH (2) kush (kush; Septuagint Chousei, Psalm 7 title): A Benjamite, perhaps he that "was without cause" the "adversary" of David (compare Psalm 7:4). Strong's Hebrew 3569. Kushi -- descendant of Cush... Kushi. 3570 . descendant of Cush. Transliteration: Kushi Phonetic Spelling: (koo-shee') Short Definition: Cushite. Word Origin from Kush Definition desc. ... /hebrew/3569.htm - 6k 5434. Seba -- son of Cush, also his desc. and their land 5455. Sabteka -- a son of Cush, also the territory settled by his ... 5454. Sabta -- a son of Cush, also the territory settled by his ... 5248. Nimrod -- a son of Cush and founder of the Bab. kingdom 7484. Ramah -- "trembling," son of Cush, also a trading people 2341. Chavilah -- a son of Cush, also a son of Joktan, also ... 3568. Kuwsh -- a son of Ham, also his desc., also a land in the S. ... 3568a. Kush -- a son of Ham, also his desc., also a land in the S. ... 3568b. Kushi -- a Benjamite. Library "In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . . The Exile --Continued. We Arrive Now at a Branch of Our Subject Upon which the Lord's ... Of the Generations of the Three Sons of Noah. Chapter x From the Flood to Abraham Nineveh. The Battle of Carchemish Jewish Chronology Continued. Psalm 7 Thesaurus Cush (31 Occurrences)... From him the land of Cush seems to have derived its name. The question of the precise locality of the land of Cush has given rise to not a little controversy. ... /c/cush.htm - 25k Phut (7 Occurrences) Cushan (3 Occurrences) Nimrod (4 Occurrences) Dedan (10 Occurrences) Africa (1 Occurrence) Seba (4 Occurrences) Havilah (7 Occurrences) Cushite (15 Occurrences) Ludim (3 Occurrences) Resources Who were the Cushites? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Table of Nations? | GotQuestions.org Does the Bible say anything about Russia in relation to the end times? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Cush (31 Occurrences)Genesis 2:13 Genesis 10:6 Genesis 10:7 Genesis 10:8 2 Kings 19:9 1 Chronicles 1:8 1 Chronicles 1:9 1 Chronicles 1:10 Esther 1:1 Esther 8:9 Job 28:19 Psalms 6:10 Psalms 7:1 Psalms 68:31 Psalms 87:4 Isaiah 11:11 Isaiah 18:1 Isaiah 20:3 Isaiah 20:5 Isaiah 37:9 Isaiah 43:3 Isaiah 45:14 Jeremiah 46:9 Ezekiel 27:10 Ezekiel 29:10 Ezekiel 30:4 Ezekiel 30:5 Ezekiel 30:9 Ezekiel 38:5 Nahum 3:9 Zephaniah 3:10 Subtopics Related Terms |