A son of the patriarch Shem. He was a brother of Asshur, Elam, Arpachshad, and Aram.
About Lud
Names occurring in the table of nations in Genesis 10. Ludim is listed as the first son of Mizraim, and Lud is listed as the fourth son of Shem. On the basis of this, it is probably better to consider them as having different ethnic origins. Some, however, have suggested that both names refer to a people of Asia Minor, the Lydians, who are mentioned on Ashurbanipal’s inscriptions as Luddu. There is little question that Lud, at least, is to be associated with Lydia. Josephus makes this identification (Antiquities 1.6.4.). In Isaiah 66:19, it is listed among other nations of Asia Minor.
Lud is often mentioned in contexts that suggest the men were well known as good soldiers. According to Jeremiah 46:9, they fought with the Egyptians against the Babylonians at the battle of Carchemish in 605 BC. In the lament over Tyre in Ezekiel 27:10, they are listed among others who were mercenaries in the army of Tyre. Perhaps Ezekiel 30:5 is another case of Lydians serving as mercenaries—this time in the Egyptian army. Such military aid to Egypt goes back to the Assyrian period when Gyges sent military aid to Psammetichus of Egypt against the Assyrians.
Family Relationships
Key References
The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.
Advance, O horses! Race furiously, O chariots! Let the warriors come forth—Cush and Put carrying their shields, men of Lydia drawing the bow.
Men of Persia, Lydia, and Put served as warriors in your army. They hung their shields and helmets on your walls; they gave you splendor.
All Scripture References (8)
Genesis (2)
Mizraim was the father of the Ludites, the Anamites, the Lehabites, the Naphtuhites,
The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram.
1 Chronicles (2)
Mizraim was the father of the Ludites, the Anamites, the Lehabites, the Naphtuhites,
The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. The sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech.
Isaiah (1)
I will establish a sign among them, and I will send survivors from among them to the nations—to Tarshish, Put, and the archers of Lud; to Tubal, Javan, and the islands far away who have not heard of My fame or seen My glory. So they will proclaim My glory among the nations.
Jeremiah (1)
Advance, O horses! Race furiously, O chariots! Let the warriors come forth—Cush and Put carrying their shields, men of Lydia drawing the bow.
Ezekiel (2)
Men of Persia, Lydia, and Put served as warriors in your army. They hung their shields and helmets on your walls; they gave you splendor.
Cush, Put, and Lud, and all the various peoples, as well as Libya and the men of the covenant land, will fall with Egypt by the sword.