Bible Dictionary
Cushan
Cushan is a poetic name for the people or land of Cush in Habakkuk 3:7. The passage places it in parallel with Midian and does not establish a precise geographical boundary.
Definition
Cushan is a poetic or extended name associated with Cush. The term refers to a people or land but does not establish a precise geographical boundary.
Biblical Usage
Habakkuk speaks of the tents of Cushan in parallel with the curtains of the land of Midian, in a poetic description of the effects of a divine appearance.
Historical Background
The context indicates a connection with the Cush known elsewhere in the Old Testament, but the supplied material warns against restricting the term to Africa or using it as a strict geographical designation.
Scripture References
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
Probably a poetic or prolonged name of the land of Cush, the Arabian Cush (Hab. 3:7). Some have, however, supposed this to be the same as Chushan-rishathaim (Judg. 3:8, 10), i.e., taking the latter part of the name as a title or local appellation, Chushan “of the two iniquities” (= oppressing Israel, and provoking them to idolatry), a Mesopotamian king, identified by Rawlinson with Asshur-ris-ilim (the father of Tiglathpileser I.); but incorrectly, for the empire of Assyria was not yet founded. He held Israel in bondage for eight years.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
(blackness), (Habakkuk 3:7) possibly the same as Cushan-rishathaim (Authorized Version Chushan-) king of Mesopotamia. (Judges 3:8,10)
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>kushan: In the psalm of Habakkuk (Hab 3:7) "the tents of Cushan" are mentioned in an individualizing description of the effects of a theophany. Parallel is the phrase "the curtains of the land of Midian." Septuagint renders Cushan, kushan, by Aithiopon, reading perhaps kushim, or kushin (kushin). The context indicates that the same land or people is intended as the Old Testament elsewhere calls Cush, yet vaguely and not in any strict geographical usage that would limit it to Africa.</p>