The Lubim, also referred to as the Libyans, are an ancient people mentioned in the Bible, primarily associated with the region of North Africa. The term "Lubim" is often used interchangeably with "Libyans" in biblical texts, and they are considered to be part of the broader group of peoples inhabiting the area west of Egypt.

Biblical References:

1. 2 Chronicles 12:3 : The Lubim are first mentioned in the context of Shishak, the king of Egypt, who came up against Jerusalem. The verse states, "With twelve hundred chariots, sixty thousand horsemen, and countless troops who came with him out of Egypt—Libyans, Sukkites, and Cushites." This passage highlights the Lubim as part of a coalition of forces that accompanied Shishak in his campaign against the Kingdom of Judah during the reign of Rehoboam.

2. 2 Chronicles 16:8 : The Lubim are again mentioned in the context of military might. The verse reads, "Were not the Cushites and Libyans a vast army with many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand." This reference is part of a rebuke to King Asa of Judah, reminding him of the divine assistance provided against formidable foes, including the Lubim.

3. Nahum 3:9 : The prophet Nahum refers to the Lubim in his oracle against Nineveh, stating, "Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were her allies." This passage underscores the Lubim as part of a network of alliances, indicating their significance in the geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East.

Historical and Geographical Context:

The Lubim are generally identified with the ancient Libyans, who inhabited the region of Cyrenaica and the broader area of North Africa. This region was known for its fierce warriors and was often involved in the military campaigns of neighboring powers, such as Egypt and Cush (modern-day Sudan).

In the biblical narrative, the Lubim are depicted as a formidable military force, often allied with other nations against Israel and Judah. Their mention alongside other powerful groups like the Cushites and Egyptians suggests their importance in the regional power dynamics of the time.

Cultural and Ethnic Identity:

The Lubim, as part of the Libyan tribes, were likely a Berber-speaking people. Their culture and society would have been influenced by interactions with neighboring civilizations, including the Egyptians and Phoenicians. The biblical portrayal of the Lubim as warriors aligns with historical accounts of the Libyans as skilled fighters who were frequently employed as mercenaries.

Theological Significance:

In the biblical context, the Lubim serve as a reminder of the diverse and often hostile nations surrounding Israel and Judah. Their presence in the biblical narrative highlights the challenges faced by God's people and the necessity of relying on divine intervention for deliverance. The accounts involving the Lubim emphasize themes of faith, reliance on God, and the futility of trusting in human alliances and military strength.

Overall, the Lubim are an example of the complex interplay of nations in the biblical world, illustrating the broader historical and spiritual lessons conveyed through the Scriptures.Lubim

(dwellers in a thirsty land),a nation mentioned as contributing, together with Cushites and Sukkiim, to Shishak's army, (2 Chronicles 12:3) and apparently as forming with Cushites the bulk of Zerah's army, (2 Chronicles 16:8) spoken of by Nahum, (Nahum 3:9) with Put or Phut, as helping No-amon (Thebes), of which Cush and Egypt were the strength. Upon the Egyptian monuments we find representations of a people called Rebu or Lebu, who correspond to the Lubim, and who may be placed on the African coast to the westward of Egypt, perhaps extending far beyond the Cyrenaica.

Lubim

See LIBYA.

LUBIM

lu'-bim (lubhim): A people mentioned in the Old 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 Revised Version (British and American) only in Daniel 11:43. The people so named had their seat in North Africa, West of Egypt (compare Acts 2:10, "the parts of Libya about Cyrene"). See LIBYA. On three different occasions the Libyans invaded Egypt, and at length, in the 10th century B.C., succeeded in founding an Egyptian dynasty under SHISHAK (which see).

3864. Lubim -- inhab. of N. Africa
... 3863, 3864. Lubim. 3865 . inhab. of N. Africa. Transliteration: Lubim
Phonetic Spelling: (loo-bee') Short Definition: Lubim. ...
/hebrew/3864.htm - 6k

3552. Kub -- Chub
... 3551, 3552. Kub. 3553 . Chub. Transliteration: Kub Phonetic Spelling: (koob)
Short Definition: Chub. Word Origin another reading for Lubim, qv. Chub ...
/hebrew/3552.htm - 5k

Nahum's Doom of Nineveh
... Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were thy
helpers: Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity: Her young ...
/.../select masterpieces of biblical literature/xi nahums doom of nineveh.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8. <. ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Lubim (4 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia LUBIM. lu'-bim (lubhim): A ... which see).
Multi-Version Concordance Lubim (4 Occurrences). 2 Chronicles ...
/l/lubim.htm - 8k

Cushim (8 Occurrences)
... and two hundred chariots, and with sixty thousand horsemen, and there is no number
to the people who have come with him out of Egypt -- Lubim, Sukkiim, and ...
/c/cushim.htm - 8k

Ethiopians (11 Occurrences)
... The people were without number who came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the
Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY NAS RSV). ...
/e/ethiopians.htm - 10k

Libyans (6 Occurrences)
... lib'-ia, 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 ...
/l/libyans.htm - 9k

Libya (4 Occurrences)
... lib'-ia, 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 ...
/l/libya.htm - 8k

War-carriages (76 Occurrences)
... twelve hundred war-carriages and sixty thousand horsemen: and the people who came
with him out of Egypt were more than might be numbered: Lubim and Sukkiim and ...
/w/war-carriages.htm - 31k

Horsemen (63 Occurrences)
... The people were without number who came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim,
and the Ethiopians. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/h/horsemen.htm - 28k

1200 (1 Occurrence)
... thousand horsemen. The people were without number who came with him out of
Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. (See NAS). ...
/num/1200.htm - 6k

60000 (1 Occurrence)
... thousand horsemen. The people were without number who came with him out of
Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians. (See NAS). ...
/num/60000.htm - 6k

Lehabim (2 Occurrences)
... They are probably to be identified with the LUBIM (which see), and the one word
may be a corruption of the other. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/l/lehabim.htm - 7k

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