Cushi, Great-Grandfather of Jehudi

Background and Family

Cushi lived during the Divided Monarchy, specifically during the era of the late Judean kingdom (approximately the mid-to-late 7th century BC). He is known exclusively through the lineage of his great-grandson, Jehudi, who served as an official or messenger in the court of King Jehoiakim. According to Jeremiah 36:14, Cushi was the father of Shelemiah, the grandfather of Nethaniah, and the great-grandfather of Jehudi.

The name "Cushi" literally translates to "Cushite" or "one from Cush" (Ethiopia). In the context of the Judean court, this may indicate that Cushi was of Ethiopian descent or that his ancestors originated from the Upper Nile region. However, by the time of the events in Jeremiah 36, his descendants were fully integrated into the Judean political and religious establishment.

Major Life Events

The biblical record does not preserve the specific deeds, occupation, or life events of Cushi himself. He is a generational anchor in a period of intense political transition. Given that his great-grandson Jehudi was a trusted official capable of interacting with both the prophet's scribe, Baruch, and the high-ranking officials of the palace, it is highly probable that Cushi’s family belonged to the Judean elite.

Cushi’s life would have coincided with the reigns of kings such as Manasseh, Amon, or the early years of Josiah. This was a time of significant religious fluctuation in Judah, moving from the idolatry of Manasseh to the reforms of Josiah.

Relationship to Other Biblical Figures

Cushi's primary biblical connection is to his great-grandson, Jehudi. During the fourth year of King Jehoiakim (c. 605–604 BC), the prophet Jeremiah was barred from the temple and instructed his scribe, Baruch, to read a scroll of prophecies aloud. When the royal officials heard of this, they sent Jehudi to fetch Baruch and the scroll.

Then all the officials sent word to Baruch through Jehudi son of Nethaniah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Cushi, saying, “Bring the scroll that you read in the hearing of the people, and come here.” (Jeremiah 36:14)

The mention of Cushi provides the ancestral weight behind Jehudi’s authority to summon Baruch.

Spiritual Significance

While Cushi is a minor figure, his presence in the text serves a specific rhetorical and historical purpose. The preservation of a four-generation genealogy (Jehudi son of Nethaniah, son of Shelemiah, son of Cushi) is unusually long for a minor official. Scholars suggest this was intended to confirm the Judean identity and legitimacy of Jehudi, despite having an ancestor with a name that denoted foreign (Cushite) origins. Within the narrative of Jeremiah, Cushi represents the continuity of the Judean people even as the nation stood on the brink of collapse and exile.