The Ethiopian Bible, also called the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Canon, contains a collection of religious texts that are unique to the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. It consists of 88 books, which is significantly larger than the traditional Western Christian Bible. These additional writings reflect the rich cultural and religious heritage of Ethiopia and offer insights into the country's Christian traditions.
The Ethiopian Bible includes several books that are not found in the standard Bible used by most Christian denominations. Some of these texts include the Book of Enoch, the Ascension of Isaiah, and the First and Second Book of Moses (also known as the "Books of the Covenant"). These writings, along with the traditional books of the Old and New Testaments, make up the 88 books of the Ethiopian Bible.
The Ethiopian Church regards these additional books as divinely inspired and authoritative for the practice of their faith. The inclusion of the Book of Enoch, for example, reflects the strong influence of Jewish traditions and mystical beliefs within Ethiopian Christianity. It is believed that the Virgin Mary, revered as the Mother of God, played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting these unique texts to the Ethiopian Church.
The Ethiopian Bible's contents are divided into several categories, including the Law (similar to the Pentateuch), the Prophets, and the Psalms. These books are not arranged in the same order as the traditional Bible, demonstrating the distinct structure and organization of the Ethiopian canon. Additionally, the Ethiopian Bible contains numerous commentaries, hymns, and prayers, offering further spiritual guidance and interpretation for its followers.