Cush
malePatriarchalMeaning: “Black; Ethiopia”
The eldest son of Ham and father of Nimrod, ancestor of the peoples south of Egypt (later called Cush or Ethiopia).
Biography
Cush was the eldest son of Ham and a grandson of Noah (Genesis 10:6). In the Table of Nations he is the father of several peoples and, most notably, of Nimrod, "a mighty one in the earth" (Genesis 10:8). His name became attached to the lands and peoples south of Egypt — the region the Bible calls Cush, often rendered "Ethiopia." Through his sons (Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, Sabtechah) and his famous son Nimrod, Cush stands at the head of a wide branch of the post-flood nations (1 Chronicles 1:8–10).
Life Timeline
Becomes the father of Nimrod
On the Bible timeline
Cush belongs to the Creation & the Early World era (Beginning – c. 2100 BC).
- c. 2400 BC (traditional)The Flood
- c. 2200 BCThe Tower of Babel
Family Tree
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Themes & lessons from Cush
Biblical themes that run through the passages where Cush appears.
People they appear with
Scripture Appearances
7 verses in 2 booksGenesis4 verses
Genesis 2:13
And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia. Ethiopia: Heb. Cush
Genesis 10:6
And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.
Genesis 10:7
And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabtah, and Raamah, and Sabtecha: and the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
Genesis 10:8
And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.
1 Chronicles3 verses
1 Chronicles 1:8
The sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.
1 Chronicles 1:9
And the sons of Cush; Seba, and Havilah, and Sabta, and Raamah, and Sabtecha. And the sons of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan.
1 Chronicles 1:10
And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be mighty upon the earth.
Frequently asked about Cush
Who was Cush in the Bible?
The eldest son of Ham and father of Nimrod, ancestor of the peoples south of Egypt (later called Cush or Ethiopia).
What does the name Cush mean?
The name Cush means “Black; Ethiopia”.
Who were Cush's children?
Cush's children include Nimrod.
Who were Cush's parents?
Cush was the child of Ham.
Where does Cush appear in the Bible?
Cush is mentioned 7 times across 2 books: Genesis, 1 Chronicles.
What can we learn from Cush?
The story of Cush touches on themes of cush, genealogy, sciences, mizraim — explore each to study the lessons drawn from Cush's life.
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