Who was black in the Bible? This is an often-asked, yet difficult to answer question.
The Bible does not directly answer this question, yet there are ways to evaluate passages that allude to a person’s race. When looking for answers around this question, it is important to look at the context, culture, and literary language of the verses being studied. Each of these factors can contribute to providing an accurate answer.
One of the most prominent people referenced in the Bible regarding race is the Queen of Sheba. In the ninth century BCE, she visited King Solomon in Jerusalem. Her race is not obviously specified, yet some scholars think she was of African descent. The Bible does not specify her race due to the fact that a particular race is not mentioned in relation to her, but other figures in the Bible allude to her being a person of color. In 1 Kings 10:1, it reads “the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon and came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue to test him with hard questions. The phrase “glorious in riches” implies wealth; she likely had access to things from other lands only available to those of great wealth, further hinting at Sheba’s prosperity.
In the Book of Matthew, the Magi are mentioned when discussing the birth of the Messiah. The Magi, otherwise known as Wisemen, are said to have brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus. It is widely believed that the Magi were of African descent. This belief is based upon the fact that they were most likely from the Eastern African kingdom of Kush. Kush was located in modern-day Sudan and Ethiopia, and had an abundance of supplies which would have been used when giving gifts to a newborn baby.
The Ethiopian Eunuch is referenced in the Bible in the eighth chapter of Acts. He was an important figure that had influence within the court of Queen Candace. By studying historical records, it has become clear that he was from the Kingdom of Kush. He is described in the text as “a man of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians.” He was a eunuch and jester to Queen Candace and was sent by her to find out about the truth about Jesus.
The story of Tamar in the Old Testament is also an interesting example of a character of African origin. She is the daughter-in-Judah, and was raped by her half-brother. As Judah did not believe her story, she was sent away to the wilderness to wait for his response. She is described as “a black girl” by Josephus, a historian of the first century. This description can be seen to infer that she was of African descent.
The Bible is full of characters of African descent, yet none of them are outright specified in the text. To learn more about who was black in the Bible, it is important to look to the culture, context, and historical records of the time period. By using this approach, one can gain a better insight into who was black in the Bible.
The Queen of Ethiopia
The Queen of Ethiopia was an important figure in the Bible, referenced in both the New and Old Testament. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Queen of Ethiopia is described as a “wife of one of the members of the household of Herod.” It is believed that she was from the African kingdom of Kush, and likely had a substantial role in the court of Herod.
In Isaiah 45, the Queen of Ethiopia is described as “the daughter of Cush,” which is believed to be a reference to her being an African ruler. This verse is seen by scholars as a testament of the importance of foreign kings and queens in the court of Herod during the New Testament era. It is also seen as a recognition of the political prowess of African rulers.
In the Christian tradition, the Queen of Ethiopia is even recognized as being a convert of the faith. She is seen as an example of the power of the Word of God, and her conversion is seen as a display of faith and strength.
The importance of the Queen of Ethiopia cannot be understated; she serves both as a reminder of the influence that African rulers had in the court of Herod, as well as a reinforcement of the power of the Word of God. From her story, we are also given insight into who was black in the Bible.
The African Centurions
The African Centurions were slaves, captured from Africa, who were converted to Christianity and were used to fight for the Roman Empire. In the New Testament, there are three accounts of African Centurions: the Centurion that Jesus met, the Centurion Cornelius, and the Centurion Paul.
The Centurion that Jesus met is described as a man “of great authority under Candace, the queen of the Ethiopians.” This reference implies that he was of African descent and had a position of authority in the Roman Empire. It is believed that he was a soldier, and his name is associated with the Imperial Horse Guard of the time.
The Centurion Cornelius is mentioned in Acts 10. He was an Italian soldier of African descent who, after converting to Christianity, gained favor in the eyes of the Roman Empire. He was rewarded for his faith and eventually given a post as captain of the Roman Guard.
The Centurion Paul is mentioned in the book of Acts. He was the centurion in charge of the Roman guard at the court of the High Priest. After being exposed to the power of the Gospel, he eventually converted to Christianity, and his faith and service to the Roman Empire was greatly rewarded.
The African Centurions were important figures in the New Testament and represent a group of individuals who were of African descent and played an important role in the Roman Empire. Through their stories, we are better able to understand who was black in the Bible.
The African Slaves in the Bible
The Bible references African slaves in the Old Testament and New Testament. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were taken from Egypt to serve as slaves in Canaan. This was an act of domination and oppression, and the Israelites were promised freedom after their servitude. Many scholars believe that these African slaves were a representation of people of African origin.
In the New Testament, the story of Onesimus stands out as an example of a slave of African origin. He is described as a slave of Philemon in the book of Philemon. He is also seen as being a model of Christian faith, loyalty, and service. Through his story, we are able to get an insight into the experience of a black man in the Roman Empire.
The story of Onesimus also teaches us an important lesson: that slavery can be overcome through obedience and faith in God. Onesimus’ faith and devotion allowed him to be restored to freedom, and his story serves as an example of hope and redemption for those who suffer from oppression.
The African slaves in the Bible represent a group of individuals who were of African descent and were forced into slavery. Through their stories, we are better able to understand who was black in the Bible, and how slavery can be overcome through faith.
The Cushites
The Cushites were the first African tribe to be mentioned in the Bible. The term “Cush” is mentioned in the book of Genesis, and is an ancient term meaning “black”. The Cushites are believed to have been a Semitic tribe originating in Eastern Africa, and are associated with the modern-day nation of Ethiopia.
The term “Cush” is used throughout the Old Testament to refer to people of African origin. As a result, the Cushites, or those descended from the people of Cush, represent a group of African people that were referenced in the Bible.
The Cushites are believed to be the founders of the Kingdom of Kush, an ancient African kingdom in what is now Ethiopia. As a result, the Cushites represent one of the first documented African civilizations, and served as a cornerstone of African culture.
The Cushites are an important part of African history and their legacy lives on today. By studying their history, we gain insight into who was black in the Bible, and are given a better understanding of African culture and history.
