Nahum 3:9

Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.

Ethiopia - Hebrew, Cush.

And Egypt - Lower Egypt. Ethiopia is thought at this time to have been mistress of Upper Egypt, which latter, therefore, is included under the name "Ethiopia."

Were her strength - her safeguard as an ally.

It was infinite - the resources of these, her allies, were endless.

Put - or Phut (). Descended from Ham ( mentions Phut as serving in the mercenary armies of Tyre). From an Egyptian root, Fit or Pit, meaning a bow, as they were famed as archers (Gesenius). Probably west of Lower Egypt, and conterminous with Libya Proper. Josephus ('Antiquities,' 1: 6, 2) identifies it with Mauritania (cf. margin, , 'The Ethiopians (Cush) and the Libyans (Put) that handle the shield;' ).

Lubim - the Libyans, whose capital was Cyrene; extending along the Mediterranean west of Egypt (; 2 Chronicles 14:9; , "The Ethiopians and the Lubims, a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen" - all of whom, under Zerah, "with a thousand thousand and three hundred chariots," God overthrew when Asa, king of Judah, went against the invaders, resting on the Lord, and in His name; , "the parts of Libya about Cyrene"). Since, however, the Lubims are always connected with the Egyptians and Ethiopians, they are perhaps distinct from the Libyans. The Lubims were probably at first wandering tribes who afterward were settled under Carthage in the region of Cyrene, under the name Libyans.

Were thy - No's.

Helpers - literally, in thy help - i:e., among thy auxiliaries (cf. , "The God of Jeshurun rideth upon the heaven in thy help").