The Ethiopian Bible, also known as the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Canon, is a collection of religious texts that are considered sacred by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. It contains a total of 81 books, which is significantly more than the 66 books found in the Protestant Bible and the 73 books found in the Catholic Bible. The Ethiopian Bible is divided into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The Old Testament in the Ethiopian Bible contains the same books as the Jewish Tanakh, but they are arranged in a slightly different order. The New Testament includes the traditional 27 books found in most Christian Bibles, along with several additional books that are unique to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. These additional books are known as the “narrower canon,” and they include works such as the Book of Enoch, the Book of Jubilees, and the Ascension of Isaiah.
Here is a list of the books found in the Ethiopian Bible:
Old Testament:
1. Genesis
2. Exodus
3. Leviticus
4. Numbers
5. Deuteronomy
6. Joshua
7. Judges
8. Ruth
9. 1 Samuel
10. 2 Samuel
11. 1 Kings
12. 2 Kings
13. 1 Chronicles
14. 2 Chronicles
15. Ezra
16. Nehemiah
17. Esther
18. Job
19. Psalms
20. Proverbs
21. Ecclesiastes
22. Song of Solomon
23. Isaiah
24. Jeremiah
25. Lamentations
26. Ezekiel
27. Daniel
28. Hosea
29. Joel
30. Amos
31. Obadiah
32. Jonah
33. Micah
34. Nahum
35. Habakkuk
36. Zephaniah
37. Haggai
38. Zechariah
39. Malachi
Deuterocanonical books:
40. Tobit
41. Judith
42. 1 Maccabees
43. 2 Maccabees
44. Wisdom of Solomon
45. Sirach
46. Baruch
47. Letter of Jeremiah
48. Additions to Esther
49. Prayer of Azariah
50. Susanna
51. Bel and the Dragon
52. 1 Esdras
53. 2 Esdras
Books unique to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church:
54. Book of Enoch
55. Book of Jubilees
56. 1 Enoch
57. 2 Enoch
58. 3 Enoch
59. Ascension of Isaiah
60. 1 Meqabyan
61. 2 Meqabyan
62. 3 Meqabyan
63. 4 Baruch
64. Book of the Covenant
65. Book of the Giants
66. Apocalypse of Abraham
New Testament:
67. Matthew
68. Mark
69. Luke
70. John
71. Acts
72. Romans
73. 1 Corinthians
74. 2 Corinthians
75. Galatians
76. Ephesians
77. Philippians
78. Colossians
79. 1 Thessalonians
80. 2 Thessalonians
81. 1 Timothy
82. 2 Timothy
83. Titus
84. Philemon
85. Hebrews
86. James
87. 1 Peter
88. 2 Peter
89. 1 John
90. 2 John
91. 3 John
92. Jude
93. Revelation
Here are 9 interesting facts about the Ethiopian Bible:
1. The Ethiopian Bible is one of the oldest and most complete biblical canons in the world. It dates back to the early centuries of Christianity and has remained largely unchanged since then.
2. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church considers the Book of Enoch to be canonical scripture, while most other Christian traditions do not. The Book of Enoch is an ancient Jewish text that describes the fall of the angels and the coming of the Messiah.
3. The Ethiopian Bible includes several books that are not found in any other biblical canon, such as the Book of Jubilees, the Ascension of Isaiah, and the Meqabyan books.
4. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church places a strong emphasis on the importance of fasting and prayer, and this is reflected in the various fasting periods and prayer rituals that are described in the Ethiopian Bible.
5. The Ethiopian Bible is written in Ge’ez, an ancient Semitic language that is no longer spoken today. Ge’ez is a liturgical language that is used in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church for religious ceremonies and prayers.
6. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has a rich tradition of religious art and iconography, which is influenced by the imagery and symbolism found in the Ethiopian Bible.
7. The Ethiopian Bible is divided into two main sections, the Old Testament and the New Testament, which are further subdivided into various books and chapters.
8. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has a unique way of interpreting and understanding the biblical texts, which is influenced by the church’s own traditions and teachings.
9. The Ethiopian Bible has played a central role in the religious and cultural life of the Ethiopian people for centuries, shaping their beliefs, practices, and worldview.
Now, let’s explore some common questions about the Ethiopian Bible:
1. Is the Ethiopian Bible the same as the King James Version?
No, the Ethiopian Bible is different from the King James Version. The Ethiopian Bible contains several additional books that are not found in the King James Version.
2. How is the Ethiopian Bible different from the Catholic Bible?
The Ethiopian Bible includes several books that are not found in the Catholic Bible, such as the Book of Jubilees and the Meqabyan books.
3. Are the books in the Ethiopian Bible considered to be inspired by God?
Yes, the books in the Ethiopian Bible are considered to be inspired by God and are regarded as sacred scripture by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
4. What language is the Ethiopian Bible written in?
The Ethiopian Bible is written in Ge’ez, an ancient Semitic language that is no longer spoken today.
5. How does the Ethiopian Orthodox Church use the Ethiopian Bible in its worship services?
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church uses the Ethiopian Bible in its worship services for reading scripture, singing hymns, and reciting prayers.
6. Are there any differences in the way the Ethiopian Orthodox Church interprets the biblical texts compared to other Christian traditions?
Yes, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has its own unique way of interpreting and understanding the biblical texts, which is influenced by the church’s own traditions and teachings.
7. Are there any specific rituals or practices in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church that are based on the Ethiopian Bible?
Yes, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church places a strong emphasis on fasting and prayer, and these practices are based on the teachings found in the Ethiopian Bible.
8. How did the Ethiopian Bible come to include additional books that are not found in other biblical canons?
The Ethiopian Bible includes additional books that are not found in other biblical canons due to the unique historical and cultural context of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
9. What role does the Ethiopian Bible play in the religious and cultural life of the Ethiopian people?
The Ethiopian Bible has played a central role in the religious and cultural life of the Ethiopian people for centuries, shaping their beliefs, practices, and worldview.
10. Are there any major theological differences between the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and other Christian traditions based on the books included in the Ethiopian Bible?
Yes, the inclusion of certain books in the Ethiopian Bible, such as the Book of Enoch and the Book of Jubilees, has led to some theological differences between the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and other Christian traditions.
11. How did the Ethiopian Bible come to be compiled and accepted as the canonical scripture of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church?
The Ethiopian Bible was compiled and accepted as the canonical scripture of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church through a process of tradition, consensus, and authority within the church.
12. What is the significance of the Book of Enoch in the Ethiopian Bible?
The Book of Enoch is considered to be canonical scripture by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and is highly regarded for its teachings on the fall of the angels and the coming of the Messiah.
13. How does the Ethiopian Orthodox Church view the role of the Ethiopian Bible in relation to other Christian traditions?
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church views the Ethiopian Bible as a unique and authoritative source of scripture that is central to its religious identity and practices.
14. Are there any specific themes or messages that are emphasized in the books unique to the Ethiopian Bible?
Yes, the books unique to the Ethiopian Bible, such as the Book of Enoch and the Book of Jubilees, emphasize themes of angels, prophecy, and apocalyptic visions.
15. How has the Ethiopian Bible influenced the development of Ethiopian culture and society?
The Ethiopian Bible has had a profound influence on the development of Ethiopian culture and society, shaping religious beliefs, artistic expression, and social practices.
16. What are some of the key teachings and moral principles that are found in the Ethiopian Bible?
The Ethiopian Bible teaches principles of love, compassion, forgiveness, justice, and humility, which are central to the ethical and moral teachings of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
17. How does the Ethiopian Orthodox Church view the authority of the Ethiopian Bible in relation to other religious texts or traditions?
The Ethiopian Orthodox Church views the Ethiopian Bible as the ultimate authority in matters of faith and doctrine, placing it above other religious texts or traditions.
In summary, the Ethiopian Bible is a unique and sacred collection of religious texts that hold great significance for the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and the Ethiopian people. It contains a rich and diverse array of books that reflect the church’s traditions, beliefs, and practices. The Ethiopian Bible has played a central role in shaping the religious, cultural, and social life of the Ethiopian people for centuries, and its influence continues to be felt to this day.
