The Ethiopian bible, also known as the Ge’ez Bible, is the Christian bible translated from Greek into Ge’ez, an ancient language which dates back to the 7th century. The Ethiopian Bible contains both Old and New Testaments, and there are several stories and passages about Jesus throughout.
In the New Testament, Jesus is depicted in many stories and teachings. For example, the Bible speaks of Jesus’ birth, his time spent with various disciples, his miracles, and his ultimate resurrection.
The Ethiopian Bible also includes Jesus’ parables, many of which emphasize acceptance, compassion, and justice. In the book of Mathew, Jesus speaks of blessings upon those who humble themselves and seeing faith in the “least of these”.
He also speaks at length about persistent prayer, fasting, mercy, and love, which are themes found throughout the Bible.
Lastly, the Ethiopian Bible speaks of Jesus’ ascension into heaven, which is a source of hope and comfort for many believers. In Acts 1:9-11, two angels appear to the apostles after Jesus is taken up into the sky, to remind the Apostles that Jesus will come again.
Overall, the Ethiopian Bible contains many passages about Jesus and his teachings. It shows his power, mercy, and grace, as well as his strength and comfort for believers beyond his physical presence.
Table of Contents
What is Jesus called in the Ethiopian Bible?
Jesus is referred to in the Ethiopian Bible as “Yeshua Mesia” (የሰው መስያ). The title “Yeshua” is the Hebrew name for “Jesus”, and is interpreted to mean “the salvation of God”. The title “Mesia” is a transliteration of the Hebrew title “Messiah”, meaning “the anointed one” as appointed by God.
Together, “Yeshua Mesia” reflects the Hebrew titles of Jesus in the Ethiopian Bible and is interpreted to mean “Jesus the Messiah”, or “the Anointed One, who brings salvation and is appointed by God”.
What is the African name for Jesus?
The African name for Jesus is Yesu Kristo or Yesu Masiya. This name is used in various parts of the continent, such as South Africa, Kenya, and many other African countries. The name combines two languages from the region: Swahili and Hausa.
“Yesu” is the Swahili word for Jesus, while “Kristo” and “Masiya” are the Hausa words for Christ and Messiah, respectively. Jesus has had a strong presence in Africa since early Christian times, and his impact is evident in African cultures today.
What was Jesus original name?
Jesus’ original name was actually “Yeshua,” which is a rendition of the Hebrew name “Yehoshua,” and both mean “Joshua” or “Jehovah is salvation. ” It’s not certain exactly when Jesus began to be commonly referred to as Jesus, but this name became more commonplace by the time of the Roman Empire.
“Jesus” is a Greek rendition of the Hebrew name that is more pronounceable for someone not familiar with Hebrew. It is derived from the Hebrew workplace “Yesous,” which means the same thing as Yeshua/Yehoshua.
Depending on the language and region, Jesus is also known as “Yeshu,” “Issa,” and “Yasu. “.
Is the Ethiopian Bible the same as the King James Version?
No, the Ethiopian Bible is not the same as the King James Version. The King James Version is an English translation of the Bible compiled in 1611 at the request of King James I of England and first published in 1611, while the Ethiopian Bible is a translation of the Bible into the Ge’ez language in Ethiopia or the area that is now modern-day Ethiopia and Eritrea.
The King James Bible is based on the ancient Hebrew and Greek texts, while the translation of the Ethiopian Bible is derived from the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate streams of textual tradition. While the two texts may share some passages in common, the Ethiopian Bible offers several unique, additional local material, including mentions of Ethiopian civilization in the Book of Acts and a Psalm about Azariah found in the apocryphal text, 3 Esdras.
What Bible do Ethiopian Christians use?
Ethiopian Christians use various Bible translations depending on the language they most commonly speak. Historically, Ethiopians have spoken a range of languages, including Ge’ez, Amharic, Tigrinya, and Oromiffa.
Each of these languages has had a translation or two of the Bible.
The Ge’ez language is the oldest translation, going all the way back to the 11th century when the translators were converted from Yazidi Jews. This was the first major translation of the Bible in Ethiopia and is known as the Ge’ez Bible, or sometimes the Ethiopian Bible.
The next major translation was the Amharic Bible, which was written in the 1800s in response to the influx of European missionaries. This is the most commonly used Bible today among Ethiopian Christians.
The other two major translations are the Tigrinya Bible and the Oromiffa Bible. The Tigrinya translation was completed in the late 19th century and the Oromiffa translation was completed in the early 20th century.
In addition to these major translations, more recent translations have been completed in various other languages, including Quba, Shinasha, Sidama, and Anfillo.
Ethiopia is home to many religious traditions, including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, and each of these religions has had an impact on the translations of the Bible that are available in the country.
Depending on the language one speaks and the level of exposure to different religious texts, Ethiopians may also access additional translations of the Bible from around the world, including those written in Latin, Greek, and Hebrew, as well as translations from other religious texts, such as the Koran and the Talmud.
How is Ethiopian Christianity different?
Ethiopian Christianity is one of the oldest forms of Christianity and is distinct from Protestant and Catholic forms of Christianity practiced in other areas of the world. It is a unique blend of Eastern and Western traditions that incorporates components of both.
The distinguishing factor of Ethiopian Christianity is its strong reliance on the Bible, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and its relationship with the Ethiopian monarchy. The church was founded in the 4th century, and According to the Ethiopian Church Tradition, the original version of the Bible had been written in the Ge’ez language.
This is why the Ethiopian Church follows the oldest version of the bible. Additionally, the Ethiopian Church is based on a Christian/Jewish/Muslim foundation and its influences derived from all three religions.
Additionally, Ethiopian Christians observe 7 sacraments, something that is not seen in other forms of Christianity. These sacraments consists of Baptism, Confirmation, Penance, Holy Eucharist, Anointing of the Sick, Ordination and Marriage.
Ethiopian Christianity differs from other branches of the Christian faith in its treatment of religious authority. The Ethiopian Church is structured from the top down, with three titles known as Ichegos, Abunas, and the Patriarch leads the church.
Additionally, the church also has a central governing body called the Synod which includes elected bishops who help guide the Church’s mission and establish doctrine. This governing body also chooses a Patriarch of the Church who is responsible for leading it and serving as its primary spokesperson.
To conclude, Ethiopian Christianity is a unique and distinctive practice not seen anywhere else. Its reliance on the Bible and early established religious foundations cornerstones of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Additionally, the prominent use of older religious rituals, the hierarchical approach to decision-making, and the use of elected religious representatives to help shape Church practice set the Ethiopian Orthodox Church apart from other branches of Christianity.
Is there a translation of the Ethiopian Bible?
Yes, there is an English translation of the Ethiopian Bible. This translation, known as the Ethiopian Orthodox Bible, is based on the Ethiopic language and its ancient script known as Geez. It was translated by the Ethiopian Bible Translators Union and was completed in 1980.
The translation covers both the Old and New Testaments, as well as several books of the Apocrypha. It is available in hard copy form, as well as an electronic version. It is an official translation of the Bible in Ethiopia, and is used by the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, which is the largest Christian denomination in Ethiopia.
The text also includes notes and commentary, which explain scriptural passages in further detail.
What book of the Bible was the Ethiopian reading?
The Ethiopian was reading from the Book of Isaiah in the Bible. The exact verses he was reading were Isaiah chapter 53 verses 7-8:
“He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.”
What kind of Christians are in Ethiopia?
Ethiopia is a multi-faith country, and Christianity is the most widely practiced religion. There is a wide variety of Christian denominations among the country’s approximately 36 million Christians. The traditional faith is Orthodox Christianity, which is practiced by the majority of the country’s Christian population, and is the official religion of Ethiopia.
The two main branches of Orthodox Christianity in Ethiopia are the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church. In addition to these two churches, there are Coptic Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Syriac Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, and Protestant Christians as well.
The Protestant denominations include the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus, Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church, Orthodox Church of Ethiopia, and the Ethiopian Mennonite Church.
Do Ethiopian Orthodox believe in Jesus?
Yes, Ethiopian Orthodox Christians believe in Jesus Christ. They believe that He is the Son of God who was sent to live here on Earth and to give His life as a sacrifice for mankind. The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church holds firmly to the view that Jesus is God incarnate, the second person of the Holy Trinity.
They also believe that Jesus Christ was crucified and raised from the dead on the third day, proving His Divine status. The teachings of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church regarding Jesus are extremely similar to those held by other Christian denominations.
Jesus is seen as the ultimate teacher and example for living a life of faith and true commitment to God. For the Ethiopian Orthodox, Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, and he is the cornerstone of their faith.
What was Ethiopia called in the Bible?
In the Bible, Ethiopia is referred to by several names including Cush, Kush, and Nubia. Cush is likely the oldest name for the region, appearing for the first time in the Book of Genesis, when it is mentioned as the homeland of the descendants of Ham, the son of Noah.
Kush is the next oldest name, derived from the Egyptian term for the region. Nubia is the most recent of the three, likely originating from the Latin for “dark-skinned people. ” The ancient Egyptians referred to the region as Ta-Sety – the “Land of the Bow” – due to its archers and the characteristic bow of the Nubians.
The region’s rich cultural history gave rise to its famed city states of Meroë, Napata, and Axum, which are also mentioned in the Bible.
What did Ethiopians believe in before Christianity?
Before Christianity was introduced to Ethiopia in the early 4th century, the majority of Ethiopians practiced a polytheistic form of traditional religion that recognized many gods and goddesses. This religion had various interpretations, gods and symbols that were adopted by many regional cultures and beliefs.
Rituals, ceremonies and festivals were common and dedicated to their gods. Animal sacrifices and prayer were used to show reverence. Ancestor worship was very important and sanctified the deceased family members.
Spirits were believed to inhabit the natural world, and it was believed that evil spirits or ghosts were the cause of illnesses and misfortune. Ethiopia also had an animistic belief system in which it was believed that some natural locations and objects had special powers or spiritual significance.
Plants and animals were also thought to have mythical powers and were treated as sacred. The setting of these beliefs and traditions helped to solidify their identity as a people.
Was the Ethiopian Bible The first Bible?
No, the Ethiopian Bible was not the first Bible. The term “Bible” is derived from the Greek word biblia, which means “books,” and was first used to refer to the collection of sacred texts included in the Hebrew Bible.
This includes Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi.
The Ethiopian Bible, also known as the Ge’ez Bible, is a translation of the Bible into the Ge’ez language, which was the liturgical language of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church from the Middle Ages until the early 20th century.
The books of this translation are based on the 24 books of the Hebrew Bible, and are grouped in the same way as the Tanakh. This includes the Torah (Pentateuch), Nevi’im (Prophets), and the Ketuvim (Writings).
The Ge’ez Bible is largely believed to be derived from the Ge’ez version of the Septuagint, and was likely translated in the 4th or 5th century, though it is difficult to pinpoint the exact timeline due to a lack of sources or records.
Therefore, the Ethiopian Bible was not the first Bible, though it is widely praised as an important example of the rich history, culture, and faith of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
What is the oldest known Bible in existence?
The oldest known Bible in existence is known as the Codex Sinaiticus. It dates back to the 4th century and is believed to have been written between the years 330 and 350 AD. The Codex Sinaiticus is an early Greek manuscript of the Christian Bible, written in ancient Greek and comprised of the entire Old and New Testaments.
It is currently held at the British Library in London, England. A number of other ancient manuscripts, such as the Codex Vaticanus and the Alexandrian Manuscript, were also found and still exist to some degree.
However, the Codex Sinaiticus is believed to be the oldest and has the most complete version of the ancient Bible.
