From the Land
of the Setting Sun

Genesis 10:13. In the Table of Nations, Mizraim (Egypt) fathers the Lehabim. This places them in the genealogy of the world — a people born alongside Egypt, occupying the land to its west. Scholars identify the Lehabim as the ancestors of the Lubim and the modern Amazigh.

The plural form. They appear as warriors in multiple passages — in Sheshonq's army sacking Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 12:3), as allies of Cush (2 Chronicles 16:8), as helpers of Thebes (Nahum 3:9). The Hebrew root derives from a word meaning "to thirst" — desert dwellers. The Egyptian inscriptions call them Rebu or Lebu. The same people.

Genesis 10:6. Phut is listed as a son of Ham, brother of Mizraim (Egypt), Cush (Ethiopia), and Canaan. Jeremiah 46:9 and Ezekiel 38:5 reference Put as warriors and shield-bearers. A people defined by their skill in war.

"The sons of Ham: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan."

"Mizraim fathered Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim..."

"In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem. He took away the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king's house."

"With 1,200 chariots and 60,000 horsemen. And the people were without number who came with him from Egypt — the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the Cushites."

"Were not the Cushites and the Lubim a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen?"

"Cush was her strength, and Egypt, and it was boundless; Put and the Lubim were her helpers."

"Advance, O horses, and rage, O chariots! Let the warriors go out: men of Cush and Put who handle the shield..."

"Cush, and Put, and Lud, and all the mingled people..."

"Persia, Cush, and Put are with them, all of them with shield and helmet."

"The Libyans and the Cushites shall follow in his train."

"They compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross."

"...the parts of Libya near Cyrene..."

"Some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus."

"Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene..."

A Meshwesh Libyan — Amazigh — who became Pharaoh. His invasion of Jerusalem in ~925 BCE is recorded in both the Hebrew Bible (1 Kings 14:25) and the Bubastite Portal at Karnak. He brought the Lubim warriors with him. The treasures of Solomon's temple went to Egypt in the hands of a Berber king.

Mark names him specifically: "the father of Alexander and Rufus." The early church knew his family. He was coming "from the country" — from outside the city — when Roman soldiers compelled him. A man from the Maghreb, walking into Jerusalem, asked to carry the weight of the central event in Christian history.

Named in Acts 13:1 as one of the prophets and teachers at Antioch. Some early traditions identify him as the first bishop of Antioch. From the land of the setting sun to the leadership of the church where the word "Christian" was coined.

Born in Carthage to Berber parents. Created the Latin theological vocabulary still used today. Coined the word "Trinity" (trinitas). Before Tertullian, Christian theology was written in Greek. After him, it was Latin. He invented the language of Western Christianity.

Wealthy Berber convert. Became bishop of Carthage. Wrote foundational texts on church unity and the authority of bishops. Beheaded during the persecution of Valerian. His last words: "Thanks be to God."

Born in Thagaste — now Souk Ahras, Algeria. "Souk Ahras" means "market of lions" in Arabic-Berber. His mother Monica was Berber. He called himself "an African, writing of Africa." Wrote Confessions and City of God. Shaped Western philosophy for 1,500 years. Scholars generally agree he was of Berber descent.

Believed to be of Berber origin. Established Easter as a Sunday celebration. Introduced Latin as the church's liturgical language, replacing Greek. A Berber from the Maghreb changed the language of Christianity itself.

Called "Melchiades the African." Of Berber descent per the Liber Pontificalis. The first pope under Constantine. Received the gift of the Empress Fausta's palace — which became the Lateran Palace, the papal residence. Granted permission to build the Lateran Basilica, "the mother of all churches." A Berber built the pope's house.

Of North African Berber descent, born in Rome. The first pope officially titled "Vicar of Christ." Wrote the Doctrine of the Two Swords — separating church and state — the framework that shaped Western political philosophy for a thousand years. Also established Valentine's Day on February 14. A Berber descendant defined how the West understands power.