Lud לוּד
Son of Shem; progenitor of the Lydians
Who is Lud in the Bible?
Lud was a son of Shem, the son of Noah, and is listed among the descendants in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10:22; 1 Chronicles 1:17). He is believed to be the progenitor of the Lydians, a people group that inhabited Lydia in western Anatolia, in what is now Turkey. The Lydians became known for their military strength and served as mercenaries for major powers like Tyre and Egypt (Ezekiel 27:10; 30:5). Lud's significance in Scripture extends beyond genealogy, as Isaiah includes Lud among the nations that will eventually come to know God's glory (Isaiah 66:19), marking him as part of God's plan for the nations.
Biography
Lud was one of the sons of Shem, the son of Noah (Gen.10.22; 1Ch.1.17). He is mentioned in the Table of Nations, which records the descendants of Noah's sons after the flood. Lud is considered the ancestor of the Lydians, a people group that inhabited the region of Lydia in western Anatolia (modern-day Turkey). The Lydians were known for their military prowess and are mentioned as allies or mercenaries of Tyre and Egypt (Ezk.27.10; 30.5; Jer.46.9). The prophet Isaiah also includes Lud among the nations that will come to know the glory of the Lord (Isa.66.19). Although the connection between the biblical Lud and the historical Lydians is not explicitly stated, it is generally accepted based on the similarity of the names and the geographic location associated with Lud's descendants.
Family
Parents
Siblings
- Asshur Early PatriarchSon of ShemSon of Shem; father of the AssyriansView full profile →
- Elam Tribe of LeviSon of MeshelemiahA temple gatekeeper during David's reignView full profile →
- Arpachshad Early PatriarchSon of ShemSon of Shem, ancestor of AbrahamView full profile →
- Aram Early PatriarchSon of ShemSon of Shem, ancestor of the ArameansView full profile →
In Scripture
4 biblical books ; 3 with study contentGenesis 1 verse
- Genesis 10:22
"The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram."
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1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 1:17
"The sons of Shem: Elam, Asshur, Arphaxad, Lud, and Aram. The sons of Aram: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Meshech."
Isaiah 1 verse
- Isaiah 66:19
"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."
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Jeremiah 1 verse
- Jeremiah 46:9
"Advance, O horses! Race furiously, O chariots! Let the warriors come forth—Cush and Put carrying their shields, men of Lydia drawing the bow."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | לוּד |
| (same form as previous) | Hebrew | לוּד |
| (same form as previous) | Hebrew | לוּד |
| Group | Hebrew | לוּדִי |