Cushite

Cushite designates a person from the land of Cush — broadly the region of northeast Africa south of Egypt. The most prominent Cushite in the narrative books is the unnamed messenger whom Joab sent to David to announce the death of Absalom (2 Samuel 18:21–32). When Ahimaaz son of Zadok also ran to bring news, the watchman identified both runners, and David's anxious question — Is the young man Absalom safe? — was answered evasively by Ahimaaz and directly by the Cushite: The enemies of my lord the king, and all that rise against thee to do thee hurt, be as that young man is.

Other Cushites in Scripture include Ebed-melech, the Cushite official who rescued Jeremiah from the cistern at great personal risk (Jeremiah 38:7–13) and received a personal promise of divine protection in the coming destruction (Jeremiah 39:15–18). Moses's wife is described as a Cushite in Numbers 12:1, prompting Miriam and Aaron's criticism. The Cushite identity of these individuals across widely different periods reflects the presence of Africans from the Nile region in Israelite and Judahite society throughout the monarchic era.