probably of foreign origin; Cush (or Ethiopia), the name of a son of Ham, and of his territory; also of an Israelite; Chush, Cush, Ethiopia.
Transliteration:Kûwsh
Pronunciation:koosh
Detailed Word Study
AI-Generated
Loading Study...
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew lemma כּוּשׁ (Kûwsh, `{{H3568}}`) primarily denotes two distinct entities within the biblical text: a person and a geographical region. Its base definition suggests a probable foreign origin, reflecting its association with lands beyond the immediate Israelite sphere. As a personal name, it refers to Cush, a son of Ham, and thus a grandson of Noah, establishing him as an ancestral figure in the Table of Nations [[Genesis 10:6]]. This lineage connects him to the Hamitic peoples. Secondly, and more frequently, כּוּשׁ designates a significant land, commonly identified with ancient Nubia or Ethiopia, situated south of Egypt along the Nile River. This geographical entity encompasses a vast territory that historically included parts of modern Sudan and Ethiopia. The semantic range therefore spans from an individual progenitor to an expansive, often powerful, nation, underscoring its dual significance in biblical anthropology and geography.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The occurrences of כּוּשׁ (Kûwsh) in the Hebrew Bible are diverse, reflecting both its genealogical and geographical import.
Geographically, one of the earliest mentions places Cush in a primordial context, with the river Gihon flowing around the "whole land of Cush" [[Genesis 2:13]], suggesting a connection to the Garden of Eden and the earliest known world. This indicates Cush was considered a significant and perhaps distant land from the outset.
In the Table of Nations, Cush is listed as the firstborn son of Ham, and the father of various peoples including Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca [[Genesis 10:6-7]]. Notably, Nimrod, the mighty hunter and founder of early kingdoms, is also identified as a son of Cush [[Genesis 10:8]]. This establishes Cush as a foundational figure for several nations and powerful lineages.
Throughout the prophetic and historical books, Cush is frequently mentioned alongside Egypt (Mizraim, `{{H4714}}`) and Put (Libya, `{{H6316}}`), often forming a formidable regional power bloc [[Isaiah 11:11]], [[Isaiah 43:3]], [[Ezekiel 30:4-5]], [[Nahum 3:9]]. These references often highlight Cush's military strength and its role in international politics, sometimes as an ally or sometimes as a target of divine judgment. For instance, Isaiah 18 speaks of the "land of buzzing wings beyond the rivers of Cush," possibly alluding to a distant and powerful nation.
Cush is also associated with valuable resources, as seen in Job's discourse on wisdom, where the "topaz of Cush" is mentioned as a precious commodity [[Job 28:19]].
In a more personal and specific context, a "Cushite" (כּוּשִׁי, Kûshî, derived from כּוּשׁ) serves as a messenger to David after the death of Absalom [[2 Samuel 18:21-32]], illustrating the presence and interaction of Cushites within Israelite society, even if from a distant land.
Finally, the superscription of [[Psalm 7]] refers to "Cush, a Benjamite." This singular instance identifies an Israelite individual named Cush, distinct from the Hamitic progenitor or the geographical region, demonstrating the occasional adoption of such names within Israel.
### Related Words & Concepts
The study of כּוּשׁ (Kûwsh) naturally intersects with several related words and concepts. Genealogically, its primary connections are to **Ham** (חָם, Ham, `{{H2526}}`), his father, and his brothers **Mizraim** (מִצְרַיִם, Mitsrayim, `{{H4714}}` - Egypt), **Put** (פּוּט, Puṭ, `{{H6316}}` - Libya), and **Canaan** (כְּנַעַן, Kena'an, `{{H3667}}`). These relationships define the Hamitic branch of humanity. From Cush himself descend **Seba** (סְבָא, Seba, `{{H5434}}`), **Havilah** (חֲוִילָה, Ḥawilah, `{{H2341}}`), and **Nimrod** (נִמְרוֹד, Nimrod, `{{H5248}}`), among others, forming a network of early peoples and territories.
Geographically, Cush is intimately linked with **Egypt** (מִצְרַיִם, Mitsrayim, `{{H4714}}`), often appearing in conjunction with it in prophetic or historical contexts. The **Nile River** (יְאוֹר, Ye'or, `{{H2975}}`) is also implicitly connected, as Cush's territory extended along its upper reaches.
The derived term "Cushite" (כּוּשִׁי, Kûshî) refers to the inhabitants of Cush, serving as an ethnic or national identifier. The concept of "distant lands" or "ends of the earth" is often associated with Cush, highlighting its geographical remoteness from Israel's perspective.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of כּוּשׁ (Kûwsh) is multifaceted. Firstly, as a part of the Table of Nations, it underscores the biblical narrative of humanity's origins and dispersion from a common ancestry, affirming the unity of all peoples under God's creative hand. The inclusion of Cush, a distant and powerful nation, in the divine plan demonstrates the **universal scope of God's sovereignty**. From the earliest times, God's dominion is portrayed as extending beyond the immediate sphere of Israel, encompassing even the "rivers of Cush" [[Zephaniah 3:10]].
Prophetically, Cush is often included in oracles of both judgment and salvation, signifying that no nation, however mighty or remote, is beyond the reach of God's righteous decrees or His redemptive purposes. Passages like [[Psalm 68:31]] ("Cush will quickly stretch out her hands to God") anticipate a future time when even distant nations will acknowledge and worship the true God, showcasing the **inclusive nature of God's ultimate kingdom**. This vision challenges any narrow ethnocentric view, emphasizing God's concern for all humanity.
Furthermore, the depiction of Cush as a land of strength and resources highlights God's ability to use or humble even the most formidable earthly powers according to His will. The presence of a Cushite messenger in David's court, or the mention of an Israelite named Cush, subtly points to the **interconnectedness of peoples** and the ways in which God weaves diverse individuals and nations into His overarching historical and redemptive tapestry.
### Summary
The word כּוּשׁ (Kûwsh, `{{H3568}}`) is a rich biblical term referring both to a foundational figure in the Table of Nations, Cush the son of Ham, and to the significant geographical region of ancient Nubia/Ethiopia. Its occurrences range from the primordial geography of Eden to its prominent role in international politics alongside Egypt in prophetic literature. The term highlights a powerful, often distant, nation, associated with military might and valuable resources. Theologically, כּוּשׁ underscores the universal reach of God's sovereignty over all nations, the inclusion of diverse peoples in His redemptive plan, and the ultimate acknowledgment of His glory by the ends of the earth.
TRV