Sudan (region of ancient Nubia; traditional and approximate identification)

Cush

Meaning
Cush is the biblical name for the vast region south of Egypt, along the upper Nile, corresponding to ancient Nubia. It also names the son of Ham listed in the table of nations, ancestor of the Cushite people and of the kingdom that flourished there.
About the place

Cush is the biblical name for the vast region south of Egypt, along the upper Nile, today identified with ancient Nubia, in present-day Sudan.

In the table of nations in Genesis 10, Cush appears as a son of Ham and father of Nimrod, becoming the ancestor of a people who for centuries formed powerful kingdoms along the Nile. Around the 8th century BC, Cushite kings even came to rule Egypt itself.

It was a Cushite king, Tirhakah, who came to Judah’s aid when Assyria besieged Jerusalem, in the days of Hezekiah.

Israel’s prophets also turned their eyes to this distant land. Isaiah described its swift messengers in papyrus boats. Ezekiel announced that the judgment against Egypt would reach Cush as well, its ally.

Despite the distance, the Bible does not treat Cush as forgotten by God. Psalms and Zephaniah announce that one day even the Cushites will bring worship and offerings to the Lord.

Cush reminds us that, from the Old Testament onward, God’s plan for the nations always reached distant peoples, far beyond the borders of Israel.

Key verses

The sons of Ham: Cush, Egypt, Put and Canaan.

Genesis 10:6

Envoys will come from Egypt; Cush will submit herself to God.

Psalms 68:31

From beyond the rivers of Cush my worshipers, my scattered people, will bring me offerings.

Zephaniah 3:10

What happened here

Cush in the table of nations

The genealogy of nations presents Cush as a son of Ham and the father of Nimrod, the first great warrior on earth.

Genesis 10:6-8

Isaiah prophesies about the land of Cush

Isaiah pronounces an oracle about the land of rivers that sends swift messengers in papyrus boats, identified as Cush.

Isaiah 18:1-2

The promise of worshipers from Cush

Zephaniah announces that, from beyond the rivers of Cush, God’s scattered worshipers will bring him offerings.

Zephaniah 3:10

Judgment announced against Cush

Ezekiel prophesies that the sword and the anguish of judgment against Egypt would also strike Cush, its ally.

Ezekiel 30:4-9
Timeline
time of the table of nations (traditionally after the flood)

Cush is listed as a son of Ham and the father of Nimrod

8th century BC

Isaiah prophesies about the messengers of Cush

around 701 BC

Tirhakah, king of Cush, comes to Judah’s aid against Assyria

late 7th century BC

Zephaniah announces that worshipers will come from the rivers of Cush

around 587 BC

Ezekiel announces that the judgment against Egypt would strike Cush

People linked to this place
C

Cush

Was a son of Ham and ancestor of the Cushites

N

Nimrod

Was a son of Cush and a mighty warrior

T

Tirhakah

Was the Cushite king who came to Judah’s aid

Books where it appears

Genesis

Genealogy of nations: Cush, son of Ham and father of Nimrod

2 Kings

Tirhakah, king of Cush, during the siege of Jerusalem

Psalms

Prophecy that Cush will bring tribute to God

Isaiah

Oracle about the land of the rivers of Cush

Ezekiel

Judgment against Egypt that reaches Cush

Zephaniah

Promise of worshipers coming from Cush

The place today
The place today

Ancient Cush today corresponds largely to the territory of Sudan, along the middle course of the Nile, between the first cataract and the confluence of the Blue Nile and White Nile. The identification is traditional and approximate, since the region’s precise boundaries varied over the centuries.

There stand the ruins of Napata and Meroë, capitals of the ancient kingdom of Cush, which even ruled Egypt for almost a century. Nubian temples and pyramids still bear witness to this civilization.

Sudan today faces decades of conflict and a great need for the gospel. Pray that, as the prophets promised, the children of this ancient land may also bring their worship to the Lord.

Pray for this nation today: Sudão

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