Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Ethiopians" in the Bible generally refers to the inhabitants of the region known as Cush, which is often associated with the area south of Egypt, encompassing parts of modern-day Sudan and Ethiopia. The Hebrew word "Cush" is frequently translated as "Ethiopia" in many English versions of the Bible. The Ethiopians are mentioned in various contexts throughout the Scriptures, highlighting their interactions with Israel and their role in biblical history.
Geographical and Historical ContextEthiopia, or Cush, is first mentioned in the Table of Nations in
Genesis 10:6, where Cush is listed as a son of Ham, making the Ethiopians descendants of Noah through Ham. This region is noted for its wealth and resources, often associated with gold, precious stones, and exotic animals. The land of Cush is described as being located beyond the rivers of Ethiopia (
Isaiah 18:1), indicating its position relative to Israel and Egypt.
Biblical References and Interactions1.
Military Encounters: The Ethiopians are noted for their military prowess. In
2 Chronicles 14:9-15, Zerah the Ethiopian leads a vast army against King Asa of Judah. Asa's reliance on the LORD results in a decisive victory over the Ethiopians, demonstrating God's power and protection over His people.
2.
Prophetic Mentions: The prophets often mention Ethiopia in the context of God's judgment and sovereignty over the nations. In
Isaiah 20:3-5, the prophet Isaiah walks naked and barefoot as a sign against Egypt and Cush, foretelling their defeat by Assyria. Similarly,
Ezekiel 30:4-5 includes Cush among the nations that will fall by the sword.
3.
Ethiopian Eunuch: One of the most notable New Testament references to an Ethiopian is found in
Acts 8:26-40. Here, Philip the Evangelist encounters an Ethiopian eunuch, a high official under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. The eunuch, having come to Jerusalem to worship, is reading from the book of Isaiah. Philip explains the passage, leading to the eunuch's conversion and baptism. This account highlights the spread of the Gospel beyond Jewish boundaries and the inclusion of Gentiles in the early Christian community.
4.
Queen of Sheba: Although not explicitly called Ethiopian, the Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon (
1 Kings 10:1-13;
2 Chronicles 9:1-12) is often associated with the region of Cush. Her journey to test Solomon's wisdom and her subsequent praise of the God of Israel underscore the far-reaching influence of Solomon's reign and the acknowledgment of God's wisdom by foreign dignitaries.
Cultural and Symbolic SignificanceEthiopia is often used symbolically in the Bible to represent distant lands and peoples. In
Psalm 68:31, it is prophesied that "Envoys will arrive from Egypt; Cush will stretch out her hands to God," indicating the future inclusion of Gentile nations in the worship of the true God. This theme is echoed in
Zephaniah 3:10, where the prophet speaks of the dispersed peoples bringing offerings to the LORD from beyond the rivers of Cush.
ConclusionThe Ethiopians, as depicted in the Bible, serve as a testament to the expansive reach of God's sovereignty and the inclusivity of His redemptive plan. Through military encounters, prophetic declarations, and individual conversions, the narrative of the Ethiopians illustrates the unfolding of God's purposes across diverse nations and cultures.
Greek
2582. Kandake -- Candace, a queen of Ethiopia... Spelling: (kan-dak'-ay) Short Definition: Candace Definition: Candace, a proper
name; the Candace, a dynastic name for queens of the
Ethiopians in Abyssinia.
...128. Aithiops -- Ethiopian
... Word Origin from aitho (to burn) and ops (an eye, face) Definition Ethiopian
NASB Word Usage Ethiopian (1),Ethiopians (1). Ethiopian....
Strong's Hebrew
3569. Kushi -- descendant of Cush... Word Origin from Kush Definition desc. of Cush NASB Word Usage Cushite (8), Ethiopia
(1), Ethiopian (6),
Ethiopians (8). Cushi, Cushite,
Ethiopians.
...Library
How Zerah, King of theEthiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa...
... How Zerah, King Of TheEthiopians, Was Beaten By Asa; And How Asa, Upon Baasha's
Making War Against Him, Invited The King Of The Damascens To Assist Him; And...
Letter of Constantius to theEthiopians against Frumentius.
... Chapter II. 31. Letter of Constantius to theEthiopians against Frumentius.
The following is the letter which was written to the...
How Moses Made War with theEthiopians.
... Twenty Years. From The Death Of Isaac To The Exodus Out Of Egypt. CHAPTER 10.
How Moses Made War With TheEthiopians. 1. Moses, therefore...
I Wish, However, to Show How Celsus Asserts Without any Good...
... For he declares that "thoseEthiopians who inhabit Meroe know only of two gods,
Jupiter and Bacchus, and worship these alone; and that the Arabians also know...
The End of Cambyses.
... full possession of Egypt, he formed, among his other wild and desperate schemes,
the design of invading the territories of a nation ofEthiopians who lived in...
National Apostasy
... King Asa's faith was signally rewarded. "The Lord smote theEthiopians
before Asa, and before Judah; and theEthiopians fled. And...
Constantine the Great (Ad 313-337)
... The Georgians were converted in the reign of Constantine; and about the same time,
theEthiopians or Abyssinians (who live to the south of Egypt) were brought...
Thou Dost not Hide Thyself in Thy Bareness, O Pearl!
... men. [527] He that gave light to the Gentiles, both to theEthiopians and
unto the Indians did His bright beams reach. The eunuch...
The Variety of Idolatrous Cults Proves that they are False.
... Thebes. The Indians moreover differ from the Arabs, the Arabs from the
Ethiopians, and theEthiopians from the Arabs in their idols....
Acts viii. 26, 27
... And, behold," it says, "a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace,
queen of theEthiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had...
Thesaurus
Ethiopians (11 Occurrences)...Ethiopians (11 Occurrences).
... The people were without number who came with him
out of Egypt: the Lubim, the Sukkiim, and the
Ethiopians.
...Libyans (6 Occurrences)
... with twelve hundred chariots and sixty thousand horsemen; and the people were without
number that came with him out of Egypt: Libyans, Sukkites, andEthiopians...
Candace (1 Occurrence)
... The queen of theEthiopians whose "eunuch" or chamberlain was converted to Christianity
by the instrumentality of Philip the evangelist (Acts 8:27)....
Ethiopic
... 1. (a.) Of or relating to Ethiopia or theEthiopians.... The names Ethiopia andEthiopians
have been used in many different meanings by various peoples....
Ethiopian (11 Occurrences)
... e-thi-o'-pi-an u'-nuk eunouchos: A man who occupied a leading position as treasurer
at the court of Candace, queen of theEthiopians, and who was converted and...
Lubims (2 Occurrences)
... chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that
came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and theEthiopians....
Lubim (4 Occurrences)
... The people were without number who came with him out of Egypt: the Lubim, the
Sukkiim, and theEthiopians. (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE WBS YLT NAS)....
Careless (10 Occurrences)
... dwelt careless ("in security" the Revised Version (British and American), the American
Standard Revised Version, Judges 18:7); "carelessEthiopians" (Ezekiel 30...
Routed (25 Occurrences)
... (See NAS NIV). 2 Chronicles 14:12 So Yahweh struck theEthiopians before
Asa, and before Judah; and theEthiopians fled. (See NAS)....
Asa (54 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). 2 Chronicles 14:12 So Yahweh struck
theEthiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and theEthiopians fled....
Resources
Who were the Cushites? | GotQuestions.orgAre there any black people mentioned in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was the Queen of Sheba? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
