Libya

The umbrella names a region west of Egypt, called Libya, Lubim, or Put across the books in which it appears. The same people group is in view: the term covers North African forces who march in alliance with Egypt and Ethiopia, who help Egypt's and Cush's armies, and whose levies fall under Babylonian and end-time judgment alongside their southern allies.

Allies of Egypt and Cush

Two Chronicles passages name the Lubim among the multitudes from Egypt — first as part of Shishak's invading host, then as one of the routed Ethiopian-Lubim coalition Asa overcomes:

"with twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen. And the people were without number who came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Ethiopians." (2Ch 12:3).

"Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge host, with chariots and horsemen exceedingly many? Yet, because you relied on Yahweh, he delivered them into your hand." (2Ch 16:8).

Nahum's oracle against Nineveh, looking back at fallen No-amon (Egyptian Thebes), names Lubim as her allies in the same Cush-Egypt-Put-Lubim grouping:

"Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were your helpers." (Na 3:9).

In the prophetic judgment oracles

Jeremiah's oracle against Egypt summons her mercenaries to muster for a battle they will lose. Cush, Put, and the Ludim — the same circle as Lubim — are gathered to handle shield and bow:

"Go up, you⁺ horses; and rage, you⁺ chariots; and let the mighty men go forth: Cush and Put, that handle the shield; and the Ludim, that handle and bend the bow." (Je 46:9).

Ezekiel groups Put with the same allied set under the sword in the oracle against Egypt:

"Ethiopia, and Put, and Lud, and all the mingled people, and Cub, and the sons of the land that is in league, will fall with them by the sword." (Eze 30:5).

In the Gog oracle a far northern coalition gathers, but Persia, Cush, and Put are still in the muster — Put outfitted alongside Persian and Cushite levies:

"Persia, Cush, and Put with them, all of them with shield and helmet;" (Eze 38:5).

In Daniel's vision of the king of the north's southern campaign, the Libyans and the Ethiopians come at his steps:

"But he will have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; and the Libyans and the Ethiopians will be at his steps." (Da 11:43).

Across the references, Libya / Lubim / Put stands in a fixed pairing: a North African contingent attached to the Cush-Egypt power, named for muster and named for defeat.