Lexical Summary Ludim: Ludim Original Word: לוּדִי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Ludim Or Luwdiyiy {loo-dee-ee'}; patrial from Luwd; a Ludite or inhabitants of Lud (only in plural) -- Ludim. Lydians. see HEBREW Luwd NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom the same as Lud Definition a tribe desc. from Mizraim NASB Translation Ludim (1), Lydians (1), people of Lud (1). Topical Lexicon Biblical OccurrencesThe designation לוּדִי (Ludi, “Lydians” or “Ludites”) appears three times in the Old Testament: Genesis 10:13; 1 Chronicles 1:11; Jeremiah 46:9. In the first two passages it is embedded within the Table of Nations; in the third it surfaces in a prophetic oracle against Egypt. Genesis 10:13 – “Mizraim was the father of the Ludites, Anamites, Lehabites, and Naphtuhites.” Jeremiah 46:9 – “Advance, O horses; rush madly, O chariots! Let the warriors march out—Cush and Put with their shields, and the men of Lydia with their bows.” Genealogical Origin Ludi are expressly traced to Mizraim, the ancestor of the Egyptians (Genesis 10:6, 13). The record places them among the Hamitic peoples, demonstrating Scripture’s interest in cataloging the spread of Noah’s descendants after the Flood. Their mention alongside other Mizraite clans underscores Egypt’s historical role as a cradle from which several distinct peoples emerged. Historical Identity and Geography 1. Ancient Near Eastern links Extra-biblical records frequently identify “Lud” or “Lydia” with western Asia Minor. Herodotus, for example, speaks of Lydian expertise with the bow, a detail mirrored in Jeremiah 46:9. 2. North-African associations Because Jeremiah lists Lydia together with Cush (Nubia/Sudan) and Put (Libya), some locate early Ludi settlements in or near North Africa, possibly migrating later across the Mediterranean basin. 3. Egyptian connections The genealogical tie to Mizraim may indicate an origin in Egypt’s Delta before dispersion. Egyptian inscriptions from the New Kingdom mention foreign bowmen who could correspond to the biblical Ludi, serving as mercenaries or auxiliaries. Military Reputation Jeremiah’s oracle depicts the Ludi as skilled archers: “men of Lydia with their bows.” Egypt’s reliance on their prowess could not avert divine judgment, highlighting the futility of trusting human strength against God’s decreed purposes (compare Psalm 20:7). The text also preserves a snapshot of the international composition of Near-Eastern armies in the seventh century B.C. Prophetic Significance Jeremiah 46 anticipates Nebuchadnezzar’s victory over Egypt. The inclusion of the Ludi shows that no matter how cosmopolitan or formidable a coalition may appear, it remains subject to the sovereignty of the LORD. This theme resonates with similar prophecies concerning Tyre (Ezekiel 27:10-11) and Babylon (Isaiah 13:17-19), reinforcing the consistent biblical principle that the Most High “rules the kingdom of men” (Daniel 4:17). Connections to the New Testament Era The province of Lydia in Roman Asia became fertile ground for the gospel. Lydia of Thyatira—“a worshiper of God” who heard Paul in Philippi (Acts 16:14)—bore a name rooted in the same ethnic term. Though separated by centuries, the link illustrates how nations once known chiefly for military service later received the message of Christ, fulfilling Genesis 12:3’s promise that all families of the earth would be blessed through Abraham’s line. Theological and Ministry Reflections • God’s genealogical record in Genesis reinforces the historicity of the nations and His overarching plan to reach them all. Related References Lud (Genesis 10:22); Cush (Genesis 10:6); Put (Nahum 3:9); Ezekiel’s catalogue of mercenaries (Ezekiel 27:10-11). Forms and Transliterations וְלוּדִ֕ים ולודים לוּדִ֧ים לודים lū·ḏîm luDim lūḏîm veluDim wə·lū·ḏîm wəlūḏîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 10:13 HEB: יָלַ֞ד אֶת־ לוּדִ֧ים וְאֶת־ עֲנָמִ֛ים NAS: became the father of Ludim and Anamim KJV: begat Ludim, and Anamim, INT: Mizraim became of Ludim and Anamim and Lehabim 1 Chronicles 1:11 Jeremiah 46:9 3 Occurrences |
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