Cushi, cdshite

The word occurs with the article in Nu 12', 2 S 18" ; without the article in Jer 36", Zeph 1'. 1. With the article it is probably merely an expression of nationality, 'the Cushite' (see CusH). That in both instances it was a sutiicient designation of the person in question, seems to show that there were but few Cushites among the Israelites. In both, the foreign character of the person intended is indicated by the narrative.

It was looked upon as a disgrace that Moses should have married a Cushite. In 2 S 18" the stranger is unacquainted with the ahort-cut ma<ie use of by Ahimaaz. 2. Without the article the word is used merely as a proper name. It is borne by (1) the great-grandfather of Jehudi, the latter one of Jehoiakim's courtiers (Jer 3(5") ; (2) the father of the prophet Zephaniah (Zeph 1'). K. H. WooD.s. CUSTOM (rAot, Mt 17», Ro 13', comp.

1 Mac 10" 1 1"), toll, tax upon goods, generally aa valorem, as distinguished from Krjyaoi and <fi6pos, tribute, an annual tax on houses, lands, and persons. Costom ordinarily went into the treasury of the native government. Thus in Palestine the Herods in Galilee and Per»a received the custom, whereas in Judffia it was paid to the procurator for behoof of the Roman government. The custom (HXoi) was collected by the tax-gatherer (tiXui'tis). For full details see PUBLICAN and Taxe-S. J.

Macpiikrson.