Libyans

The Libyans appear in the prophets as a North African people aligned with Egypt and Cush, drawn into the great judgment oracles against the southern empire and its allies. They are named under several terms — Libyans, Lubim, Put, Ludim — and recur whenever Egypt's military reach is in view.

Allies of Egypt in the Prophetic Oracles

Jeremiah's oracle against Egypt summons the army of Pharaoh Neco only to expose its helplessness. The roll-call of mercenary contingents includes the African shield-bearers and bowmen who fought in Egyptian pay: "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" (Jer 46:9). Put and the Ludim — older biblical names for the Libyan peoples west of Egypt — stand in the front rank, and they fall with Egypt.

Nahum's taunt against Nineveh draws the same picture from the other end of history. Even Egypt itself, with its full circle of African allies, did not save Thebes from Assyrian conquest: "Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were your helpers" (Nah 3:9). The Lubim — the Libyans — are listed among the helpers whose strength proved insufficient.

In the Sword-Sweep of Yahweh's Judgment

Ezekiel's oracle against Egypt gathers Egypt's neighbors and dependents into a single judgment. The list of those who will fall together names the same circle of nations: "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). Put and Lud — the Libyan peoples — share Egypt's fate; the alliance with Pharaoh becomes the alliance in his ruin.

At the Heels of the Northern King

Daniel's vision of the king of the north pushes the picture forward. When the conqueror sweeps into Egypt and seizes its wealth, the Libyans fall in step with him as part of the spoil and retinue: "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" (Dan 11:43). The same African pairing — Libyan and Ethiopian — that fought beside Egypt in Jeremiah and Nahum now follows in train behind Egypt's conqueror.