Lehabim
“Possibly 'fiery' or 'flame-colored'”
Summary
An ancient people descended from Mizraim (Egypt), generally identified with the Libyans of North Africa.
☩Biblical Identity
The Lehabim are listed among the descendants of Mizraim (Egypt) in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:13; 1 Chronicles 1:11). The name is plural, indicating a tribe or people descended from Lehab, Mizraim's third son. Most scholars identify them with the Lubim mentioned elsewhere in Scripture (2 Chronicles 12:3; Nahum 3:9), the difference in spelling reflecting a softening of the Hebrew letter 'h' to the quiescent 'u' over time. They correspond to the ReBU or LeBU mentioned in Egyptian inscriptions.
☩Location and History
The Lehabim appear to have first settled in the region west of Egypt in North Africa, the territory known to classical geographers as Libya. From them, Libya and the Libyans derived their name. They are connected with both Mizraim (Egypt) and the Cushites (Ethiopians) in Scripture, often appearing as auxiliary troops in Egyptian armies (2 Chronicles 12:3; 16:8). The modern Berbers of North Africa are considered their descendants. Their position in the genealogy immediately before the Naphtuhim suggests they initially settled westward of Egypt but not far distant.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Lehabim," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. V (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Lehabim," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. III (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Lehabim," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 4.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Lehabim," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).