Who was Cushi in the Bible?

Cushi was an ancestor of the prophet Zephaniah, mentioned in the genealogy that introduces Zephaniah's prophetic book. He is listed as the father of Gedaliah and the grandfather of the prophet (Zephaniah 1:1).

What does the name Cushi mean?

The name 'Cushi' (or 'Cushite') typically refers to someone from the ancient region of Cush, which corresponds to parts of modern-day Sudan and Ethiopia. In the Bible, it often denotes an ethnic origin or identity.

Why is Cushi significant in the Bible?

Cushi's primary significance is through his descendant, the prophet Zephaniah. His inclusion in the genealogy highlights Zephaniah's heritage and may indicate a diverse or notable family lineage within Judah.

Cushi

Old TestamentDivided MonarchyMaleProphet

Cushi was an ancestor of Zephaniah the prophet, mentioned in his genealogy. (Zep.1.1)

Cushi

Biography

Cushi appears in the opening genealogy of the book of Zephaniah (1:1) as a forefather of the prophet, listed as the father of Gedaliah, grandfather of Amariah, and great-grandfather of Hezekiah. The name "Cushi" in Hebrew can denote an ethnic Cushite (from the region of Cush, corresponding to modern Ethiopia/Sudan), leading some scholars to suggest possible African ancestry within Zephaniah's lineage. Whether the name reflects ethnic identity or simply a personal name common in ancient Israel is debated. Cushi's primary significance is genealogical, he stands in the ancestral chain that produced one of the twelve minor prophets who delivered God's word during the reign of Josiah of Judah. His place in the lineage lends Zephaniah both heritage and prophetic credibility.

Significance

Though Cushi himself left no recorded deeds or words, his presence in Zephaniah's genealogy carries theological weight. The careful recounting of a prophet's ancestry in Scripture affirms the importance of heritage and family continuity in God's unfolding plan. If the name does reflect Cushite descent, it signals the expansive reach of God's covenant community across ethnic boundaries, echoing the prophetic vision of nations streaming to worship the Lord (Zephaniah 3:9-10). Cushi reminds readers that God prepares his messengers across generations, working through ordinary family lines to raise extraordinary voices of prophecy.

Authority Records

Wikidata

FatherGedaliahChildZephaniah

Verse Appearances (1)

Zeph

Zeph 1:1

References

Orr, J. (ed.) (1915) The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. Chicago: Howard-Severance Company. [Public Domain]
Tyndale House, Cambridge (n.d.) Translators Individualised Proper Names with all References (TIPNR). STEPBible. Available at: https://www.stepbible.org. [CC BY 4.0]
Wikidata contributors (n.d.) Wikidata. Available at: https://www.wikidata.org. [CC0]
Church of England (1769) The Holy Bible, Authorized (King James) Version. [Public Domain]

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