Geographical and Historical Context:

Ethiopia, known in biblical times as Cush, is a region frequently mentioned in the Bible. It is located in the northeastern part of Africa, south of Egypt. The term "Cush" is often used interchangeably with Ethiopia in the Scriptures, referring to a land rich in history and culture. The ancient boundaries of Cush likely included parts of modern-day Sudan and Ethiopia.

Biblical References:

Ethiopia is mentioned numerous times throughout the Bible, often symbolizing distant lands and peoples. In Genesis 2:13, Ethiopia is referenced in the context of the Garden of Eden: "The name of the second river is Gihon; it winds through the whole land of Cush." This early mention highlights Ethiopia's ancient and significant presence in the biblical narrative.

In the prophetic literature, Ethiopia is frequently mentioned as a nation of power and influence. Isaiah 18:1-2 describes Ethiopia as a land "beyond the rivers of Cush," sending envoys by sea. This passage reflects Ethiopia's strategic importance and its interactions with other nations.

The prophet Zephaniah also speaks of Ethiopia in the context of God's judgment and redemption. Zephaniah 3:10 states, "From beyond the rivers of Cush My worshipers, the daughter of My dispersed people, will bring Me an offering." This verse indicates a future time when Ethiopians will participate in the worship of the true God, highlighting the inclusivity of God's salvation plan.

Ethiopia and the Queen of Sheba:

One of the most famous biblical accounts involving Ethiopia is the visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon. Although the Bible does not explicitly state that Sheba was in Ethiopia, tradition and historical accounts often associate her with the region. In 1 Kings 10:1-13 and 2 Chronicles 9:1-12, the Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to test his wisdom, bringing with her a wealth of gifts. This encounter underscores the connections between Israel and the distant lands of Africa.

Ethiopian Eunuch:

In the New Testament, Ethiopia is notably mentioned in the account of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:26-40. The eunuch, an important official in charge of the treasury of the Kandake (queen) of the Ethiopians, is traveling from Jerusalem when he encounters Philip the evangelist. Philip explains the Scriptures to him, leading to the eunuch's conversion and baptism. This event is significant as it marks the spread of the Gospel beyond the Jewish world, reaching into Africa.

Symbolism and Prophetic Significance:

Ethiopia often symbolizes the far reaches of the known world in biblical literature. Its mention in prophetic texts frequently serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty over all nations and His plan for global redemption. The inclusion of Ethiopia in the biblical narrative emphasizes the universality of God's covenant and the fulfillment of His promises to all peoples.

Cultural and Theological Insights:

From a theological perspective, Ethiopia's presence in the Bible highlights the diversity of God's creation and His desire for all nations to know Him. The interactions between Ethiopia and Israel reflect the broader biblical theme of God's engagement with the Gentile world. Ethiopia's rich history and enduring legacy in the biblical narrative continue to inspire and inform Christian thought and mission today.Ethiopia

blackness; heat

Ethiopia

(burnt faces). The country which the Greeks and Romans described as "AEthiopia" and the Hebrews as "Cush" lay to the south of Egypt, and embraced, in its most extended sense, the modern Nubia, Sennaar, Kordofan and northern Abyssinia , and in its more definite sense the kingdom of Meroe. (Ezekiel 29:10) The Hebrews do not appear to have had much practical acquaintance with Ethiopia itself, though the Ethiopians were well known to them through their intercourse with Egypt. The inhabitants of Ethiopia were a Hamitic race. (Genesis 10:6) They were divided into various tribes, of which the Sabeans were the most powerful. The history of Ethiopia is closely interwoven with that of Egypt. The two countries were not unfrequently united under the rule of the same sovereign. Shortly before our Saviour's birth a native dynasty of females, holding the official title of Candace (Plin. vi. 35), held sway in Ethiopia, and even resisted the advance of the Roman arms. One of these is the queen noticed in (Acts 8:27)

Ethiopia

One of the great kingdoms in Africa, frequently mentioned in Scripture under the name of Cush, the various significations of which in the Old Testament have been mentioned under the article CUSH, which see. Ethiopia proper lay south of Egypt, on the Nile; and was bounded north by Egypt, at the cataracts near Syene; east by the Red Sea, and perhaps a part of the Indian ocean; south by unknown regions of the interior of Africa; and west by Libya and deserts. It comprehended of course the modern countries of Nubia or Sennaar, and Abyssinia. The chief city in it was the ancient Meroe, situated on the island or tract of the same name, between the Nile and the Astaboras, now the Tacazze, not far from the modern Shendi, Isaiah 18:1-7 Zephaniah 3:10.

The name of Seba was given to the northern part of Ethiopia, afterwards Meroe, but the eldest son of Cush, Genesis 10:7. This country was in some parts mountainous, and in others sandy; but was to a great extent well watered and fertile. Ebony, ivory, spices, gold, and precious stones were among its articles of traffic. Its history is much involved with that of Egypt, and the two countries are often mentioned together in Bible, Isaiah 20:3-6 43:3:45:15 Ezekiel 30:1-26 Daniel 11:43.

Zerah "the Ethiopian" who invaded Judah in the reign of Asa, B. C. 944, 2 Chronicles 14:9-15, is thought by some to have been an Egyptian king of an Ethiopia on both sides of the Red Sea; that is, of the Arabian as well as African Cush. This would explain how he could obtain access to the land of Palestine without passing through Egypt. But the whole question is involved in uncertainty. The Ethiopian queen Candace, whose treasurer is mentioned in Acts 8:27, was probably queen of Meroe, where a succession of females reigned who all bore this name. As this courtier is said to have gone up to Jerusalem "to worship," he was probably a Jew by religion, if not by birth. There appear to have been many Jews in that country. The gospel gained adherents among them; and early in the forth century the entire Bible was translated into the ancient Ethiopic language, from the Greek.

A country which lay to the south of Egypt, beginning at Syene on the First Cataract (Ezek. 29:10; 30:6), and extending to beyond the confluence of the White and Blue Nile. It corresponds generally with what is now known as the Soudan. ETHIOPIA

e-thi-o'-pi-a (kush; Aithiopia):

1. Location, Extent and Population:

Critically speaking Ethiopia may refer only to the Nile valley above the First Cataract, but in ancient as in modern times the term was often used not only to include what is now known as Nubia and the Sudan (Soudan), but all the unknown country farther West and South, and also at times Northern, if not Southern, Abyssinia.

2582. Kandake -- Candace, a queen of Ethiopia
... Candace, a queen of Ethiopia. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Kandake
Phonetic Spelling: (kan-dak'-ay) Short Definition: Candace Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2582.htm - 6k2174b. Zimri -- perhaps a place in Ethiopia
... 2174a, 2174b. Zimri. 2175 . perhaps a place in Ethiopia. Transliteration:
Zimri Short Definition: Zimri. Word Origin of uncertain ...
/hebrew/2174b.htm - 5k

3568. Kuwsh -- a son of Ham, also his desc., also a land in the S. ...
... a son of Ham, also his desc., also a land in the S. Nile Valley. Transliteration:
Kuwsh Phonetic Spelling: (koosh) Short Definition: Cush. Chush, Cush, Ethiopia ...
/hebrew/3568.htm - 5k

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. ...
/hebrew/3569.htm - 6k

3568a. Kush -- a son of Ham, also his desc., also a land in the S. ...
... Word Origin probably of foreign origin Definition a son of Ham, also his desc.,
also a land in the S. Nile Valley NASB Word Usage Cush (16), Ethiopia (13). ...
/hebrew/3568a.htm - 5k

The End of Cambyses.
... the Persian judges."Their opinion."Smerdis."Jealousy of Cambyses."The two
magi."Cambyses suspicious."He plans an invasion of Ethiopia."Island of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter ii the end of.htm

Thou Dost not Hide Thyself in Thy Bareness, O Pearl!
... Eden. [526]. 2. Very glistening are the pearls of Ethiopia, as it is written,
Who gave thee to Ethiopia [the land] of black men. [527 ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn iii thou dost not.htm

The Exchange for One's Life.
... [5734] And in Isaiah it is said to Israel, "I gave Ethiopia in exchange for thee,
and Egypt and Syene for thee; from what time thou hast become honourable ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/28 the exchange for ones.htm

In what Manner the Nations in the Interior of India were ...
... When the apostles went forth by lot among the nations, Thomas received the apostleship
of the Parthians; Matthew was allotted Ethiopia; and Bartholomew the ...
/.../the ecclesiastical history of scholasticus/chapter xix name what manner.htm

Against the Heresy of one Noetus.
... One, and who afterwards did show Himself, and conversed with men." And in another
place he says, "Egypt hath laboured; and the merchandise of Ethiopia and the ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/against the heresy of one.htm

Constantine the Great (Ad 313-337)
... On his way back, he and his crew landed at a place on the coast of Ethiopia, in
search of fresh water, when the people of the country fell on them, and killed ...
/.../chapter x constantine the great.htm

But Perhaps Some one is Alarmed at Hearing us Discourse of the ...
... with thee." The Prophet David also says, "Thou hast broken the heads of the great
dragon, Thou hast given him to be meat to the people of Ethiopia." And Job in ...
/.../16 but perhaps some one.htm

How Solomon Fortified the City of Jerusalem, and Built Great ...
... The City Of Jerusalem, And Built Great Cities; And How He Brought Some Of The
Canaanites Into Subjection, And Entertained The Queen Of Egypt And Of Ethiopia. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how solomon fortified.htm

Moreover, --To Touch Briefly Some of the More Recondite Topics ...
... conflicts of sin, as the Prophet Ezekiel mystically intimates when he says, "In
that day angels shall come forth hastening to exterminate Ethiopia, and there ...
/.../15 moreoverto touch briefly some.htm

Fortified by this Knowledge against Heathen views, Let us Rather ...
... the Israelites of their duty, or sharply reproves them, He has surely a reference
to all men; when He threatens destruction to Egypt and Ethiopia, He surely pre ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter iii fortified by this.htm

Ethiopia (26 Occurrences)
...Ethiopia is spoken of in prophecy (Psalm 68:31; 87:4; Isaiah 45:14; Ezek.
30:4-9; Dan. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ETHIOPIA. ...
/e/ethiopia.htm - 45k

Ethiopic
... 1. (a.) Of or relating to Ethiopia or the Ethiopians. ... The names Ethiopia and Ethiopians
have been used in many different meanings by various peoples. ...
/e/ethiopic.htm - 17k

Tirhakah (2 Occurrences)
... He probably ascended the throne about BC 692, having been previously king of Ethiopia
(2 Kings 19:9; Isaiah 37:9), which with Egypt now formed one nation. ...
/t/tirhakah.htm - 11k

Cush (31 Occurrences)
... Ezek. 29:10, AV "Ethiopia, " Hebrews Cush), with which it is generally
associated (Psalm 68:31; Isaiah 18:1; Jeremiah 46:9, etc.). ...
/c/cush.htm - 25k

Candace (1 Occurrence)
... It is somewhat singular that female sovereignty seems to have prevailed in Ethiopia,
the name Candace (compare "Pharaoh, " "Ptolemy, " "Caesar") being a title ...
/c/candace.htm - 8k

Ethiopian (11 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Ethiopian eunuch. The chief officer or prime minister
of state of Candace (qv), queen of Ethiopia. He was ...
/e/ethiopian.htm - 18k

Africa (1 Occurrence)
... Other portions of Africa known to the Hebrews were Cush or Ethiopia, and Put, whose
inhabitants they regarded as belonging to the Hamitic stock. ...
/a/africa.htm - 10k

Seba (4 Occurrences)
... (2.) The name of a country and nation (Isaiah 43:3; 45:14) mentioned along with
Egypt and Ethiopia, and therefore probably in north-eastern Africa. ...
/s/seba.htm - 10k

Lud (10 Occurrences)
... Lud, again, is mentioned with Ethiopia (Gush), Put, all the mingled people, Cab,
and the children of the land which is in league (or, margin "the land of the ...
/l/lud.htm - 13k

127 (3 Occurrences)
... Esther 1:1 Now it happened in the days of Ahasuerus (this is Ahasuerus who reigned
from India even to Ethiopia, over one hundred twenty-seven provinces), (See ...
/num/127.htm - 7k

Who was the Queen of Sheba? | GotQuestions.org

Why do some cultures practice female genital mutilation (FGM)? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Vashti in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Ethiopia: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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