Chushan-Rishathaim

Chushan-rishathaim — spelled Cushan-rishathaim in the UPDV — is the first oppressor of Israel named in the book of Judges, a king of Mesopotamia (Aram-naharaim) under whose hand Israel served eight years before Othniel delivered them.

Yahweh Sells Israel to Mesopotamia

The first cycle of the judges opens with divine handover: "Therefore the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Israel, and he sold them into the hand of Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia: and the sons of Israel served Cushan-rishathaim eight years" (Judg 3:8). The selling-verb has Yahweh as subject; the king is named twice in a single verse, his title "king of Mesopotamia" anchored in a footnote to Aram-naharaim. The eight-year servitude fixes the duration of the oppression.

Othniel Raised Against Him

When the people cry out, Yahweh answers with a deliverer: "And when the sons of Israel cried to Yahweh, Yahweh raised up a savior to the sons of Israel, who saved them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother" (Judg 3:9). The raised savior is named by descent — son of Kenaz, Caleb's younger brother — and the saving is predicated of him directly.

Delivered into Othniel's Hand

The reversal follows in the next verse: "And the Spirit of Yahweh came upon him, and he judged Israel; and he went out to war, and Yahweh delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Mesopotamia into his hand: and his hand prevailed against Cushan-rishathaim" (Judg 3:10). The Spirit-coming, the judging, the going to war, and the delivering all run in series, and the king who had been the buyer of Israel is now the one delivered. The closing clause — "his hand prevailed against Cushan-rishathaim" — completes the inversion of Judg 3:8: the king whose hand had held Israel is now under Othniel's.