The Hebrew name Kûwshîy, represented by H3570, is used to identify two Israelites. It appears 2 times across 2 unique verses in the Bible. The name itself is defined as Cushi.
In the biblical narrative, H3570 appears exclusively within genealogies that introduce individuals connected to the word of God. It establishes the ancestry of the prophet Zephaniah, identifying him as "the son of Cushi" in the opening verse that authenticates his prophecy Zephaniah 1:1. The name also appears in the lineage of Jehudi, the official sent by the princes to retrieve the scroll from Baruch, which contained the words of Jeremiah's prophecy Jeremiah 36:14.
The significance of H3570 is understood through the key terms it is associated with in the text:
- H1697 dâbâr (a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing): This term is central to the context of Cushi. The prophecy given to Zephaniah is "The word of the LORD" Zephaniah 1:1, and Jehudi's mission concerns the scroll containing God's words.
- H3068 Yᵉhôvâh ((the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God): This is the source of the message connected to Cushi's descendants. The word that came to Zephaniah was from the LORD Zephaniah 1:1, underscoring the divine authority of the message carried through Cushi's line.
The theological weight of H3570 is derived from its contextual role in the story of revelation.
- Prophetic Lineage: The name Cushi is preserved as part of the human lineage through which God chose to deliver His word. Its inclusion in Zephaniah's ancestry authenticates the prophet's connection to his people and his message Zephaniah 1:1.
- Transmission of Scripture: In both instances, a descendant of Cushi is involved in the handling of a divine message. Zephaniah proclaims the word of the LORD, and Jehudi is tasked with bringing the written scroll to the princes, linking the name to the communication and preservation of prophecy Jeremiah 36:14.
In summary, H3570 is a proper name whose importance is defined by its association with key moments of divine communication. The name Cushi is recorded in Scripture not for the individuals themselves, but because their descendants were directly involved in the proclamation and handling of the prophetic word of the LORD.
TRV