Cushan-rishathaim is a figure mentioned in the Book of Judges in the Old Testament of the Bible. He is identified as a king of Mesopotamia who oppressed the Israelites during the period of the judges. His name, Cushan-rishathaim, is often interpreted to mean "Cushan of double wickedness" or "Cushan of double iniquity," reflecting his oppressive rule over Israel.

Biblical Account

The primary biblical reference to Cushan-rishathaim is found in Judges 3:7-11. According to the narrative, the Israelites did evil in the sight of the LORD by forgetting Him and serving the Baals and the Asherahs. As a result, God allowed them to fall into the hands of Cushan-rishathaim as a form of divine judgment. Judges 3:8 states, "The anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He sold them into the hands of Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram Naharaim, and the Israelites served him for eight years."

During this period of subjugation, the Israelites cried out to the LORD for deliverance. In response, God raised up Othniel, the son of Kenaz and the younger brother of Caleb, as a judge to deliver them. Judges 3:10-11 records, "The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he judged Israel. He went out to war, and the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into his hand. So Othniel overpowered him. Then the land had rest for forty years, and Othniel son of Kenaz died."

Historical and Cultural Context

Cushan-rishathaim is described as the king of Aram Naharaim, which is often identified with the region of Mesopotamia, specifically the area between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. This region was known for its powerful city-states and empires, and it played a significant role in the ancient Near Eastern world.

The oppression by Cushan-rishathaim is one of the earliest recorded instances of Israel's cyclical pattern of sin, oppression, repentance, and deliverance during the time of the judges. This cycle is a central theme in the Book of Judges, illustrating the Israelites' recurring unfaithfulness and God's enduring mercy.

Theological Significance

The account of Cushan-rishathaim serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of faithfulness to His covenant. It highlights the role of divine judgment as a means of correction and the power of repentance in restoring the relationship between God and His people.

Othniel's deliverance of Israel from Cushan-rishathaim underscores the theme of God raising up leaders to guide and rescue His people. The empowerment of Othniel by the Spirit of the LORD emphasizes the divine origin of true leadership and victory.

Legacy

Cushan-rishathaim's oppression and subsequent defeat by Othniel set the stage for the recurring narrative of the judges, where God repeatedly delivers Israel through chosen leaders despite their repeated failures. This account serves as an early example of God's redemptive work through human agents, foreshadowing the ultimate deliverance through Jesus Christ.CUSHAN-RISHATHAIM

ku'-shan-rish-a-tha'-im (kushan rish`athayim, translated, or rather interpreted, as "man from Cush, he of the twofold crime"; Septuagint Chousarsathaim, the King James Version Chushan-rishathaim): Mentioned in Judges 3:8-10 as a king of Mesopotamia who was chosen by God as his tool to chastise the Israelites for their idolatry. After Joshua's death the children of Israel soon began to affiliate themselves with the heathen peoples among whom they dwelt. This was the fertile source of all their troubles. God delivered ("sold") them into the hands of the heathen. C.-r. is the first whose name is given in this connection. Barring this short passage in Jud nothing is known of the man. Eight years the Israelites were under his dominion, when the Lord raised up a deliverer to them, Othniel, the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother-the first of the judges.

William Baur

3573. Kushan Rishathayim -- king of Aram-naharaim
... king of Aram-naharaim. Transliteration: Kushan Rishathayim Phonetic Spelling:
(koo-shan' rish-aw-thah'-yim) Short Definition: Cushan-rishathaim. ...
/hebrew/3573.htm - 6k

The Historical Books.
... From the beginning of the first servitude under Cushan-rishathaim to the close of
the last under the Philistines, we have, reckoning the years of servitude and ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... The episode of Othniel and Cushan-rishathaim, placed at the beginning of the history
of this period (Judges 3:8 11), is, by general consent, regarded as ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Cushanrishathaim
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia CUSHAN-RISHATHAIM. ku'-shan-rish-a-tha'-
im (kushan rish`athayim, translated, or rather interpreted ...
/c/cushanrishathaim.htm - 7k

Cushan-rishathaim (2 Occurrences)
... Cushanrishathaim, Cushan-rishathaim. Cu'shan-rishatha'Im . Int. ... Cushanrishathaim,
Cushan-rishathaim. Cu'shan-rishatha'Im . Reference Bible.
/c/cushan-rishathaim.htm - 8k

Cushan (3 Occurrences)
... Judges 3:8 Therefore the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel, and he sold
them into the hand of CushanRishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children ...
/c/cushan.htm - 8k

Rishathaim (2 Occurrences)
... Judges 3:8 Therefore the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel, and he sold
them into the hand of CushanRishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children ...
/r/rishathaim.htm - 7k

Mesopotamia (8 Occurrences)
... Judges 3:8 Therefore the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel, and he sold
them into the hand of CushanRishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children ...
/m/mesopotamia.htm - 11k

Aram (130 Occurrences)
... Judges 3:8 Therefore the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, and he sold
them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children ...
/a/aram.htm - 40k

Othniel (7 Occurrences)
... He later smote Cushan-rishathaim, king of Mesopotamia, whom the children of Israel
had served 8 years, and thus not only saved the Israelites, but by reviving ...
/o/othniel.htm - 10k

Naharaim (5 Occurrences)
... Judges 3:8 Therefore the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, and he sold
them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children ...
/n/naharaim.htm - 8k

Prevailed (46 Occurrences)
... Judges 3:10 The Spirit of Yahweh came on him, and he judged Israel; and he went
out to war, and Yahweh delivered CushanRishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his ...
/p/prevailed.htm - 20k

Aram-naharaim (5 Occurrences)
... Judges 3:8 Therefore the anger of Jehovah was kindled against Israel, and he sold
them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the children ...
/a/aram-naharaim.htm - 9k

Who was Othniel? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Cushites? | GotQuestions.org

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