כּוּשָׁן (ku.shan)
ku.shan
Cushan
N:N--LQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N--L
Word Overview
The proper noun Cushan appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, in Habakkuk 3:7. The sources identify it as a geographic reference, likely denoting a region or people associated with Arabia or Mesopotamia. Its etymology is linked to the root meaning "blackness," which may describe the dark skin of its inhabitants or the dark soil of the land.
In Habakkuk’s poetic vision, Cushan is grouped with Midian as a symbol of distant, hostile power. The prophet uses these names to evoke the threat of invasion, contrasting it with God’s deliverance. This single mention anchors the word in a context of divine judgment and protection, rather than daily life or ritual.
Translators typically retain "Cushan" as a proper name without adding descriptive glosses, preserving its identity as a specific place. The brevity of its occurrence underscores its role as a literary marker of foreign opposition in Habakkuk’s song.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Cushan appears only once in Scripture, tucked into Habakkuk’s song of awe at God’s power. It stands alongside Midian as a symbol of distant, hostile forces that threaten peace and stability. In the prophet’s vision, these names represent the overwhelming fear of invasion and the trembling of those who rely on their own strength rather than divine protection.
For believers today, this brief mention reminds us that no matter how formidable our circumstances or enemies may seem, God remains sovereign over history. The same Lord who caused the tents of Cushan to tremble is present in our seasons of uncertainty. We are invited to rest in the assurance that deliverance comes from Him alone, not from human power or political alliances.
This single reference anchors a broader theme: God judges oppression and protects His people. It encourages us to trust in His justice even when the world feels unstable, knowing that His faithfulness endures beyond every fleeting threat.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Cushan1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- כוּשָׁ֑ן1×
Key Verses
-
Habakkuk 3:7
I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction. The dwellings of the land of Midian trembled.
This verse uses Cushan as a literary marker of foreign hostility, showing how the prophet contrasts human vulnerability with God’s ultimate deliverance.