כּוּשִׁי (ku.shi)
ku.shi
Cushi
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Kushi is a Hebrew proper noun meaning "Cushite," derived from the root for Cush, the ancient region south of Egypt often associated with Nubia or Ethiopia. In the Old Testament, it functions as an ethnic identifier, distinguishing individuals by their geographical or ancestral origin rather than simply serving as a personal first name.
This term appears only twice in Scripture, both times identifying male ancestors during the period of the Divided Monarchy. The sources note Kushi as the father of Shelemiah and grandfather of Jehudi, who is mentioned in Jeremiah 36:14 when royal officials seek to retrieve a scroll from his custody. Additionally, the name identifies the father of the prophet Zephaniah (Zephaniah 1:1), linking the prophetic lineage to this specific heritage.
The etymology connects directly to the land of Cush, highlighting the diverse ethnic makeup of ancient Judah. By preserving these names, the biblical text acknowledges the presence and roles of individuals with southern origins within the religious and political life of Jerusalem, offering a glimpse into the broader cultural context of the prophets and scribes of that era.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Kushi identifies a person from Cush, an ancient region south of Egypt. In Scripture, this label marks ethnic heritage rather than personal character. It reminds us that God’s people included diverse backgrounds within the community of Judah.
One such individual was the grandfather of Jehudi, a scribe entrusted with Jeremiah’s scroll. His family line appears in a moment of crisis when officials sought to read God’s words. This shows that ordinary ancestors played real roles in preserving prophetic messages for future generations.
Your own heritage matters to God. Whether your roots are near or far, you belong to a broader story. God uses people from all backgrounds to carry His truth forward.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Cushi1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כּוּשִׁי֮1×
Key Verses
-
Jeremiah 36:14
Therefore all the princes sent Jehudi the son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, to Baruch, saying, “Take in your hand the scroll in which you have read in the ears of the people, and come.” So Baruch the son of Neriah took the scroll in his hand, and came to them.
This verse identifies Kushi as the grandfather of Jehudi, showing how family lineage preserved the record of Jeremiah’s scroll during a time of royal opposition.