Libya, Libyans — Tyndale Open Bible Dictionary

Country and its inhabitants to the west of Egypt. Three different Hebrew words are so rendered, but there is some confusion of meaning, partly because of textual uncertainties and partly because classical writers tended to use “Libya” to describe non-Egyptian Africa in general.

From the 12th century BC, Libyans served in the armies of Egypt and Ethiopia (2 Chr 12:3; 16:8; Na 3:9). The great invader Shishak himself was of Libyan origin. Ezekiel prophesied that Libya would share in the doom of the nations (Ez 30:5), and Libyans are counted among the peoples forced into submission in Daniel 11:43. There is passing reference to the Libyans (Hebrew, “Pul”) in Isaiah 66:19.

Show passage in OET: CH2 12:3

OET-RV CH2 12:3

3 with 1,200 chariots and sixty thousand horsemen, along with a huge number of troops, including Mitsrim (Egyptians), Luvim (Libyans), Sukim, and Kushim.

OET-LV CH2 12:3

3 With_one _thousand and_two _hundreds chariot[s] and_with_sixty thousand horsemen and_there_was_not number to_people which they _came with_him/it from_Miʦrayim Lūⱱī Sukkites and_Kūshiy/(Cushite)s.

Show passage in OET: CH2 16:8

OET-RV CH2 16:8

8 Didn’t the Kushim and the Luvim (Libyans) have a vast number of chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on Yahweh, he helped you defeat them,

OET-LV CH2 16:8

8 Not the_Kūshiy/(Cushite)s and_the_Lūⱱī were _they (to)_an_army to_increase _in _number (to)_chariotry and_(to)_horsemen to_abundance exceedingly and_because_depended_you on YHWH he_gave _them in_hand _of_your.

Show passage in OET: NAH 3:9

OET-RV NAH 3:9

9 Kush (Ethiopia) and Mitsrayim (Egypt) were her strength,
⇔ and her strength had no limit.
⇔ Put and Libya were her allies.

OET-LV NAH 3:9

9 Cush might _of_was_its and_Miʦrayim and_there_was_not an _end Pūţ and_the_Lūⱱī they _were (in)_help _of_your.

Show passage in OET: EZE 30:5

OET-RV EZE 30:5

5 Kush and Put, Ludia, all Arav, and Libya, together with the people belonging to the agreement—they’ll all be killed by the sword.

OET-LV EZE 30:5

5 Kūsh/(Cush) and_Pūţ and_Lūd and_all (the)_foreigner and_Kūⱱ/(Chub) and_the _sons of _the _land _of of_the _covenant with_them by_sword they _will _fall.

Show passage in OET: DAN 11:43

OET-RV DAN 11:43

43 He’ll accumulate the treasures of gold and of silver, and everything in Mitsrayim that’s valuable, and then the Luvim (Libyans) and the Kushim will be in his footsteps.

OET-LV DAN 11:43

43 And_he _will _rule over_the _treasures _of the_gold and_(the)_silver and_over_all _of the _precious _things _of Miʦrayim and_Lūⱱī and_Kūshiy/(Cushite)s will_be_of_in _his _steps.

Show passage in OET: ISA 66:19

OET-RV ISA 66:19

19 I’ll perform a miracle among them, and will send survivors from them to the nations: Tarshish, Put, Lud (home of archers), Tuval, Yavan (Greece), and to the distant islands where they haven’t heard about me or seen my splendour. They’ll tell other nations about my greatness.

OET-LV ISA 66:19

19 And_I _will _perform in/among_them a _sign and_I _will _send from_them survivors to the_nations Tarshiysh Pūl and_Lūd who_draw _of (of)_a _bow Tūⱱal and_Yāvān/(Javan) the_islands (the)_distant which not they _have _heard DOM report _of_my and_not they _have _seen DOM glory _of_my and_they _will _declare DOM glory _of_my among_nations.

Jump to OET CH2 12:3 section.

Jump to OET CH2 16:8 section.

Jump to OET NAH 3:9 section.

Jump to OET EZE 30:5 section.

Jump to OET DAN 11:43 section.

Jump to OET ISA 66:19 section.

Simon, “a man from Cyrene” in eastern Libya, was forced to carry the cross of Jesus (Mt 27:32; Mk 15:21; Lk 23:26). Libyans are listed among those who thronged Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:10).