Who was Cushan-rishathaim in the Bible?

Man living before Israel’s Monarchy

Cushan-rishathaim is a figure mentioned in the book of Judges, specifically in Judges 3:8. He is described as a man living before Israel’s monarchy, and his name means Cushan of the double wickedness or Cushan the doubly wicked in Hebrew. Cushan-rishathaim is identified as the king of Aram Naharaim who oppressed the Israelites for eight years.

From a biblical perspective, Cushan-rishathaim serves as an example of an enemy of God’s people who sought to subjugate and oppress them. The Bible teaches that God allowed Cushan-rishathaim to rule over the Israelites as a form of discipline for their disobedience and idolatry. This period of oppression under Cushan-rishathaim ultimately led the Israelites to cry out to God for deliverance, and God raised up Othniel as a deliverer to rescue them from their enemy (Judges 3:9-11).

Cushan-rishathaim’s story highlights the cyclical nature of Israel’s history in the book of Judges, where the people of Israel would fall into sin, face oppression from their enemies, cry out to God, and be delivered by a judge raised up by God. This cycle serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God’s commands and the consequences of turning away from Him.

In conclusion, Cushan-rishathaim is a historical figure in the Bible who represents an oppressor of God’s people and a reminder of the consequences of disobedience. His story emphasizes the faithfulness of God in delivering His people when they turn back to Him in repentance.