Cushi

Cu'shi (Heb. Kushi', כּוּשִׁי q. d. Cushite or Ethiopiasn; Sept. Χουσί; Vulg. Chusi), a name of three men in the Old Test. SEE CUSH.

1. (With the article, הִכּוּשִׁי, i.e. "the Cushite," "the Ethiopian;" Sept. ὁ Χουσί; Vulg. Chusi.) The messenger sent by Joab to announce to David the success of the battle against Absalom and the death of the young prince (2Sa 18:21-23,31-32). B.C. 1023. He was apparently attached to Joab's person, but unknown and unaccustomed to the king, as may be inferred from his not being recognized by the watchman, and also from the abrupt manner in which he breaks his evil tidings to David — unlike Ahimaaz, who was well aware of the effect they were sure to produce. SEE DAVID. That Cushi was a foreigner — as we should infer from his name-is also slightly corroborated by his ignorance of the ground in the Jordan valley — "the way of the 'Ciccar"' (q.v.) — by knowing which Ahimaaz was enabled to outrun him. Ewald, however, conjectures that a mode of running is here referred to peculiar to Ahimaaz, and by which he was recognized a long distance off by the watchman.

2. The father of Shelemiah, and great grandfather of Jehudi, which last was sent by the Jewish magnates to invite Baruch to read his roll to them (Jer 36:14). B.C. long ante 605.

3. The son of Gedaliah, and father of the prophet Zephaniah (Zep 1:1). B.C. ante 635.