Ethiopian Bible81 BooksComplete ListBook of EnochEthiopian OrthodoxJubileesMeqabyanGe’ez ScriptureBiblical CanonTewahedo Church
Complete List + Explanation
Why the Ethiopian Bible Has More Books
A complete guide to the 81-book Ethiopian Orthodox canon — what it contains, why it is broader than any other Christian Bible, and what that reveals about the ancient Church
The Ethiopian Bible is a treasure of the ancient Christian world. Written in Ge’ez and venerated in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, it includes eighty-one books — thirty-five in the New Testament and forty-six in the Old Testament. Unlike other Christian Bibles, it preserves texts and traditions lost or rejected elsewhere. This unique canon invites us to consider the breadth of Scripture and the ways the Holy Spirit has worked through diverse communities over the centuries.
The Ethiopian Bible is the sacred scripture of one of the oldest Christian traditions. It is written primarily in Ge’ez and used in both the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Churches. It contains more books than Protestant or Roman Catholic Bibles, including texts such as 1 Enoch, Jubilees, and 1–3 Meqabyan. Many of these works survive in complete form only in Ge’ez.
Where Protestants acknowledge sixty-six books and Roman Catholics acknowledge seventy-three, the Ethiopian Church has eighty-one inspired books. The canon consists of the familiar Hebrew scriptures, the Deuterocanonical books recognized by the Catholic and Orthodox churches, and additional works such as the Book of Enoch, Jubilees, 4 Baruch, and 4 Ezra.
Standalone Book of Enoch (Congressional Edition)
A focused entry point into one of the most influential texts preserved in the Ethiopian canon. Often chosen as a first step before moving into the full Ethiopian Bible.
Ideal for readers drawn to the Genesis 6 narrative — the sons of God, the Nephilim, and the Watcher tradition that shaped the New Testament’s Letter of Jude.
A full English edition of the Ethiopian Orthodox canon in a single volume, designed for clarity and extended reading. Frequently chosen for personal study due to its readable formatting.
The Ethiopian canon developed in a region that encountered both Judaism and Christianity very early. Ethiopian Christians and Jews preserved texts that were widely read in the early Church and among Jewish communities, even after many others no longer considered them canonical. Works like 1 Enoch, Jubilees, and the three books of Meqabyan are examples. The Ethiopian Church’s emphasis on tradition alongside Scripture also allowed these writings to be valued across centuries. As a result, the canon reflects a rich tapestry of ancient Jewish and Christian thought.
In addition to the standard Old and New Testament books, the Ethiopian Bible includes:
Jubilees
1 Enoch
1–3 Meqabyan
4 Baruch
4 Ezra
The Book of Josippon
The Books of the Covenant
Some of these books, like the Meqabyan texts, survive only in Ge’ez. Others, like 1 Enoch and Jubilees, were preserved in full only because Ethiopian scribes copied them faithfully.
The Ethiopian canon reminds us that the history of the Bible is more complex than a simple list of books. It shows how different communities have preserved and cherished different parts of God’s revelation. Studying these texts can deepen our understanding of early Judaism and Christianity and reveal themes and traditions that shaped the faith of the ancient Church.
English translations of the Ethiopian canon exist, though they are often published separately. The Books of Enoch and Jubilees are available in standalone volumes; translations of 1–3 Meqabyan, 4 Baruch, and 4 Ezra are less common but can be found in academic collections. A few modern publishers have produced compiled translations of the eighty-one-book canon. When exploring these works, remember that they are best read alongside the teaching of the Church and in prayer.
Standalone Book of Enoch (Congressional Edition)
A focused entry point into one of the most influential texts preserved in the Ethiopian canon. Often chosen as a first step before moving into the full Ethiopian Bible.
Ideal for readers drawn to the Genesis 6 narrative — the sons of God, the Nephilim, and the Watcher tradition that shaped the New Testament’s Letter of Jude.
A full English edition of the Ethiopian Orthodox canon in a single volume, designed for clarity and extended reading. Frequently chosen for personal study due to its readable formatting.
The Ethiopian Bible’s expanded canon is not an oddity but a witness to the diversity and richness of early Christian Scripture. It invites us to broaden our perspective, appreciate the faith of Ethiopian Christians, and explore the ancient texts they have preserved. Their reverence for Scripture and tradition encourages us to seek wisdom wherever God’s word is found.
