The Ethiopian Bible- Unveiling the Claim of Being the Oldest Religious Text in the World

Is the Ethiopian Bible the Oldest?

The Ethiopian Bible, also known as the Ge’ez Bible or the Kebra Nagast, has long been a subject of fascination and debate among scholars and historians. One of the most intriguing questions surrounding this ancient text is whether it is indeed the oldest Bible in existence. This article delves into the origins, history, and significance of the Ethiopian Bible, exploring the evidence that supports its claim to be the oldest Bible.

The Ethiopian Bible is believed to have originated from the Kingdom of Aksum, an ancient Ethiopian kingdom that flourished between the 1st and 10th centuries AD. The text is written in Ge’ez, an ancient Semitic language that was used in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church. The Ge’ez Bible is divided into two main parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The Old Testament of the Ethiopian Bible is known as the “Tefahid,” which is derived from the Greek word “Tefta,” meaning “testament.” It includes the traditional books of the Old Testament, as well as additional texts that are not found in the Hebrew Bible. These additional texts are believed to have been written in the first few centuries AD and are considered to be part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s canon.

The New Testament of the Ethiopian Bible is known as the “Mäsyäwot,” which is derived from the Greek word “Martyria,” meaning “witness.” It includes the traditional books of the New Testament, as well as some additional texts that are not found in the Greek New Testament. These additional texts are believed to have been written in the first few centuries AD and are also considered to be part of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church’s canon.

One of the main pieces of evidence supporting the claim that the Ethiopian Bible is the oldest is the fact that it predates the Greek New Testament. The Greek New Testament, which is the most widely used version of the New Testament today, was compiled in the 4th century AD. In contrast, the Ethiopian Bible is believed to have been translated from Greek into Ge’ez as early as the 4th century AD, making it one of the earliest translations of the New Testament.

Furthermore, the Ethiopian Bible contains texts that are not found in any other version of the Bible. For example, the Ethiopian Bible includes the “Book of Enoch,” a text that is not part of the Hebrew Bible or the Greek New Testament. The “Book of Enoch” is considered to be one of the most important texts in Ethiopian Christian tradition and is believed to have been written in the 2nd century BC.

Another piece of evidence supporting the claim that the Ethiopian Bible is the oldest is the fact that it was used by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church for centuries before the Greek New Testament became widely used. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church is one of the oldest Christian denominations in the world, with roots that date back to the 4th century AD. The use of the Ethiopian Bible by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church for such a long period of time suggests that it was considered to be the authoritative version of the Bible during that time.

In conclusion, while it is difficult to definitively determine whether the Ethiopian Bible is the oldest Bible in existence, the evidence strongly supports this claim. The Ethiopian Bible’s early translation from Greek, its inclusion of texts not found in other versions of the Bible, and its long history of use by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church all contribute to its reputation as the oldest Bible. Whether or not it is the oldest, the Ethiopian Bible remains a valuable and significant text in the history of Christianity and world literature.