The Libyans, referred to in the Bible, are an ancient people associated with the region west of Egypt, known historically as Libya. This area corresponds to the modern-day territories of Libya and parts of Tunisia. In biblical times, the Libyans were known for their interactions with neighboring nations, including Egypt and Israel.

Biblical References

The Libyans are mentioned in several passages throughout the Old Testament, often in the context of military alliances and conflicts. One of the earliest references is found in 2 Chronicles 12:3, where they are described as part of the forces of Shishak, the king of Egypt, who came against Jerusalem: "With twelve hundred chariots, sixty thousand horsemen, and countless troops who came with him out of Egypt—Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites."

In the prophetic literature, the Libyans are frequently mentioned in connection with God's judgment against the nations. Ezekiel 30:5 lists them among the nations that will fall by the sword: "Cush and Put, Lud and all the mixed peoples, and Cub and the men of the covenant land will fall by the sword along with Egypt."

The prophet Nahum also alludes to the Libyans in Nahum 3:9, highlighting their strength and alliances: "Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were her allies."

Historical Context

The Libyans were known for their prowess in battle and often served as mercenaries in the armies of Egypt and other regional powers. Their land, rich in resources and strategically located, made them significant players in the geopolitics of the ancient Near East.

Cultural and Religious Influence

While the Bible does not provide extensive details about the religious practices of the Libyans, it is understood that, like many ancient peoples, they were polytheistic. Their interactions with Israel and other nations would have included cultural exchanges, though the biblical narrative primarily focuses on their role in military and political events.

New Testament Reference

In the New Testament, the Libyans are mentioned in the context of the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:10 notes that among the diverse crowd present in Jerusalem were "visitors from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism; Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" This indicates the presence of Libyan Jews or proselytes who had come to Jerusalem for the feast, highlighting the widespread dispersion of Jewish communities across the Roman Empire.

Conclusion

The Libyans, as depicted in the Bible, are a testament to the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations and the complex tapestry of alliances and conflicts that characterized the biblical world. Their presence in the biblical narrative underscores the far-reaching influence of God's plans and judgments across nations and peoples.LIBYA; LIBYANS

lib'-i-a, lib'-i-anz: In the Old Testament the word occurs in the King James Version in 2 Chronicles 12:3; 2 Chronicles 16:8 Nahum 3:9 for "Lubim" (thus the Revised Version (British and American)). the Revised Version (British and American), however, retains "Libyans" in Daniel 11:43. In Jeremiah 46:9 Ezekiel 30:5; Ezekiel 38:5, the words are replaced in the Revised Version (British and American) by PUT (which see). In the New Testament the word "Libya" (Libue) occurs, in close connection with CYRENE (which see) (Acts 2:10). Greek and Roman writers apply the term to the African continent, generally excluding Egypt.

See LUBIM.

3864. Lubim -- inhab. of N. Africa
... Lubim. Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition inhab. of N. Africa
NASB Word Usage Libya (1), Libyans (1), Lubim (3). A dry ...
/hebrew/3864.htm - 6k

Story of Apsethus the Libyan.
... For the foolish Libyans were accustomed to sacrifice unto him as to some divine
power, supposing that they were yielding credence to a voice that came down ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter iii story of apsethus the.htm

Canaan
... mountains of northern Africa to-day. Anthropologists connect these Libyans
with the Kelts of our own islands. At one time, it would ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter ii canaan.htm

The Doom of the Antichrist
... But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the
precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the doom of the antichrist.htm

The Genuine Acts of Peter.
... Alexandria is a city of exceeding magnitude, which holds the first place not only
among the Egyptians, but the Thebans also and the Libyans, who are at no ...
/.../peter/the writings of peter of alexandria/the genuine acts of peter.htm

Now of These one Fell under a Curse, and the Two Others Inherited ...
... Hivites and Amorites and Jebusites and Gergasites and Sodomites, the Arabians also
and the dwellers in Phoenicia, all the Egyptians and the Libyans, [113] are ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/chapter 20 now of these.htm

Stephen the First Christian Martyr
... Some belonging to the Synagogue of the Libyans, and Jews from Cyrene, Alexandria,
Cilicia, and the province of Asia began to argue with Stephen; but they were ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/stephen the first christian martyr.htm

Of the Synod which was Held at Nic??a in Bithynia, and the Creed ...
... it on the same occasion both Syrians and Cilicians, Phoenicians, Arabs and Palestinians,
and in addition to these, Egyptians, Thebans, Libyans, and those who ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter viii of the synod which.htm

Naasseni Ascribe their System, through Mariamne, to James the ...
... giants. But the Libyans affirm that Iarbas, first born, on emerging from
arid plains, commenced eating the sweet acorn of Jupiter. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter ii naasseni ascribe their system.htm

Jewish Chronology Continued.
... children are: Canaan, [1071] from whom came the Canaanites; Mizraim, from whom the
Egyptians; Cush, from whom the Ethiopians; and Phut, from whom the Libyans. ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxvii jewish chronology continued.htm

The Author's Concluding Address.
... Such is the true doctrine in regard of the divine nature, O ye men, Greeks and
Barbarians, Chaldeans and Assyrians, Egyptians and Libyans, Indians and ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxx the authors concluding address.htm

Libyans (6 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia LIBYA; LIBYANS. ... the Revised Version (British
and American), however, retains "Libyans" in Daniel 11:43. ...
/l/libyans.htm - 9k

Libya (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. LIBYA; LIBYANS. ... the Revised Version (British
and American), however, retains "Libyans" in Daniel 11:43. ...
/l/libya.htm - 8k

Lubim (4 Occurrences)
... Testament (2 Chronicles 12:3; 2 Chronicles 16:8 Daniel 11:43 Nahum 3:9). In all
these cases the word is translated in the King James Version "Libyans"; in the ...
/l/lubim.htm - 8k

Ethiopians (11 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 46:9 Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men
come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the ...
/e/ethiopians.htm - 10k

Phut (7 Occurrences)
... (2.) A land or people from among whom came a portion of the mercenary troops of
Egypt, Jeremiah 46:9 (AV, "Libyans, " but correctly, RV, "Put"); Ezek. ...
/p/phut.htm - 9k

Cushites (10 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 46:9 Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men
come forth: the Cushites and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the ...
/c/cushites.htm - 9k

Lice (4 Occurrences)

/l/lice.htm - 10k

Nubians (1 Occurrence)
... Daniel 11:43 But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and
over all the precious things of Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians ...
/n/nubians.htm - 6k

Libertines (1 Occurrence)
... the Armenian VS, conjecture Libustinon, "of the Libystines." Schulthess reads for
"Libertines and Cyrenians" (Libertinon kai Kurenaion) "Libyans, those about ...
/l/libertines.htm - 11k

Lydians (2 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 46:9 Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men
come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the ...
/l/lydians.htm - 7k

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