THE ETHIOPIAN BIBLE

The history of the Bible is often told as a single, unified story.
The Ethiopian tradition tells it differently.
Preserved within one of the oldest continuous Christian communities in the world, the Ethiopian Bible presents a canon that extends beyond the boundaries familiar to most readers. With a collection of eighty-one books, it carries forward ancient writings, expanded narratives, and theological perspectives that have remained part of a living tradition for centuries.
This is not a rediscovered Bible. It is a preserved one.
In this work, Lucas Kessar offers a carefully researched and clearly presented exploration of the Ethiopian canon, tracing its origins, structure, and enduring theological vision. Moving beyond simplified accounts of Scripture, this book examines how different Christian traditions recognized and transmitted their sacred texts, and why those differences still matter.
Within these pages, you will explore:
• The structure and development of the Ethiopian 81-book canon
• The historical foundations of Christianity in Ethiopia and the Kingdom of Aksum
• The presence and significance of texts such as the Book of Enoch and the Book of Jubilees
• The process of canon formation across different Christian traditions
• The role of language, manuscript culture, and oral transmission in preserving Scripture
• The theological framework of Ethiopian Christianity, including its understanding of creation, covenant, and salvation
• The broader implications of a canon that has remained both ancient and continuous
Rather than presenting speculation or sensational claims, this book offers a grounded and thoughtful examination of one of the most enduring scriptural traditions in history. It invites readers to reconsider familiar assumptions and to engage with the Bible as a tradition shaped by history, community, and transmission.
The Ethiopian Bible does not replace what is known.
It expands it.
For readers seeking clarity, depth, and historical perspective, this book provides a rare and compelling account of Scripture as it has been preserved across centuries.