How Many Books Are There in the Ethiopian Bible- A Comprehensive Overview_1

How many books are in the Ethiopian Bible? This question often arises among scholars and Christians alike, as the Ethiopian Bible, known as the “Tewahdo” or “Eritrean Orthodox Bible,” contains a unique collection of sacred texts that differ from the traditional Christian Bible. Understanding the composition of the Ethiopian Bible is crucial for those seeking to explore its rich theological and historical context.

The Ethiopian Bible is a significant part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church’s liturgical and spiritual life. It is believed to have originated from the tradition of the ancient Kingdom of Axum, which was a major trading and cultural hub in the region. The Ethiopian Bible is divided into two main sections: the “Old Testament” and the “New Testament.”

The Old Testament in the Ethiopian Bible is known as the “Tefahid,” which includes the traditional books of the Old Testament, along with additional texts that are not found in the Hebrew Bible or the Protestant and Catholic versions. These additional books, known as the “Apocrypha,” are recognized by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church as divinely inspired. The Tefahid contains a total of 39 books, which include the following:

1. The First Book of Enoch
2. The Book of Jubilees
3. The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs
4. The Wisdom of Solomon
5. The Wisdom of Jesus, Son of Sirach
6. Baruch
7. The Letter of Jeremiah
8. The Prayer of Azariah and the Song of the Three Holy Children
9. The Book of Esther (including the Additions)
10. The Prayer of Manasseh
11. The Psalms of Solomon
12. The Wisdom of Ben Sira
13. The First Book of Maccabees
14. The Second Book of Maccabees
15. The Book of Tobias
16. The Book of Judith
17. The Books of Esdras (including the Prayer of Nehemiah)
18. The Book of Daniel
19. The Book of Esther
20. The Book of Job
21. The Book of Psalms
22. The Book of Proverbs
23. The Book of Ecclesiastes
24. The Song of Solomon
25. The Book of Lamentations
26. The Book of Ezekiel
27. The Book of Isaiah
28. The Book of Jeremiah
29. The Book of Kings
30. The Book of Chronicles
31. The Book of Joshua
32. The Book of Judges
33. The Book of Ruth
34. The Book of Genesis
35. The Book of Exodus
36. The Book of Leviticus
37. The Book of Numbers
38. The Book of Deuteronomy

The New Testament in the Ethiopian Bible is called the “Zera Yehu,” which includes the 27 books of the New Testament recognized by the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches. These books are arranged in the same order as the Greek texts used by these denominations.

In conclusion, the Ethiopian Bible consists of 39 books in the Old Testament and 27 books in the New Testament, making a total of 66 books. This unique collection of sacred texts has played a crucial role in shaping the religious and cultural identity of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church and its followers.