The Hebrew word Kûwshîyth, represented by H3571, is the feminine term for a Cushite woman or Ethiopian. It is a highly specific identifier, appearing only 2 times across 1 unique verses in the Bible.
The single context for H3571 is a moment of significant conflict in the life of Moses. In Numbers 12:1, his siblings Miriam and Aaron spoke against him. The reason for their opposition is explicitly stated as being "because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married." The verse repeats this fact for emphasis, stating, "for he had married an Ethiopian woman." This word, therefore, serves to identify the person at the center of a major familial and leadership challenge.
Several related words from the passage in Numbers 12:1 illuminate the context of this term:
- H4813 Miryâm (Miriam): She is named as one of the individuals who "spake against Moses." Her name is defined as "rebelliously," and in this context, she is challenging the authority of her brother Numbers 12:1.
- H175 ʼAhărôwn (Aaron): He is the other figure, alongside Miriam, who spoke against Moses. As the brother of Moses, his participation highlights the familial nature of the dispute Numbers 12:1.
- H1696 dâbar (to speak): This word describes the action taken by Miriam and Aaron against Moses. While it can mean simply to speak, it can also carry the sense of a destructive arrangement or pronouncement, fitting the confrontational nature of the event Numbers 12:1.
- H3947 lâqach (to take): This is the root word for "married" in the passage. It describes the action Moses took—to take a Cushite woman as his wife—that became the catalyst for the conflict Numbers 12:1.
The narrative weight of H3571 is tied entirely to its role in this specific incident.
- Catalyst for Confrontation: The term is used to precisely identify the woman whose marriage to Moses became the stated reason for a direct challenge to his leadership by his own family Numbers 12:1.
- Focus of Familial Dissent: The word appears at the nexus of a family dispute, where Miriam H4813 and Aaron H175 use the identity of Moses' wife as the basis for speaking against him.
- Object of a Repeated Phrase: The scripture emphasizes the point by repeating the phrase "he had married an Ethiopian woman" H3571, cementing the idea that this specific union was the explicit cause of the controversy recorded in Numbers 12:1.
In summary, H3571 Kûwshîyth is a term used with great specificity in the Old Testament. While its definition is straightforward—a Cushite woman—its sole application in scripture places it at the heart of a pivotal story. It serves to identify the wife of Moses, whose identity becomes the focal point for a confrontation that tests the authority of one of Israel's most important leaders.
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