Candace or Candace
Jump to: Smith'sGreekLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
Introduction:
The name "Candace" appears in the New Testament of the Bible, specifically in the Book of Acts. It is not a personal name but rather a title used for the queen mothers of the ancient African kingdom of Cush, also known as Nubia, located in what is today Sudan. The title "Candace" is akin to "Pharaoh" in Egypt or "Caesar" in Rome, denoting a position of authority and power.

Biblical Reference:
The primary biblical reference to Candace is found in Acts 8:27. The passage describes an encounter between Philip the Evangelist and an Ethiopian eunuch, a high official in charge of the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. The Berean Standard Bible states: "So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship."

Historical Context:
The kingdom of Cush was a powerful and wealthy civilization known for its trade and military prowess. The title "Candace" was used for the queen mothers who often ruled in the absence of a king or alongside a king. This matriarchal system allowed the queens to wield significant influence and control over the kingdom's affairs, including its economic and religious activities.

Cultural Significance:
The mention of Candace in the Book of Acts highlights the far-reaching influence of the early Christian message. The Ethiopian eunuch, as a high-ranking official under Candace, represents the spread of Christianity beyond the Jewish and Greco-Roman worlds into Africa. His conversion and subsequent baptism by Philip signify the inclusivity of the Gospel and its appeal to diverse cultures and peoples.

Theological Implications:
From a theological perspective, the account of the Ethiopian eunuch serves as a testament to the fulfillment of the Great Commission, as recorded in Matthew 28:19, where Jesus commands His disciples to "go and make disciples of all nations." The eunuch's encounter with Philip and his subsequent conversion underscore the universality of the Christian message and the breaking down of ethnic and cultural barriers through faith in Christ.

Legacy:
The account of Candace's eunuch has had a lasting impact on Christian tradition, particularly in Ethiopia, where it is believed to mark the beginning of Christianity in the region. The Ethiopian Orthodox Church, one of the oldest Christian denominations in the world, traces its roots back to this biblical account. The narrative also serves as an early example of the role of African nations in the history of Christianity, challenging modern perceptions and highlighting the continent's rich spiritual heritage.

Conclusion:
While the Bible provides limited information about Candace herself, the reference to her in Acts 8:27 offers valuable insights into the historical and cultural context of the early Christian era. The account of the Ethiopian eunuch under her authority illustrates the expansive reach of the Gospel and the diverse tapestry of the early Christian community.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Candace or Candace

(prince of servants), a queen of Ethiopia (Meroe), mentioned (Acts 8:27) (A.D. 38.) The name was not a proper name of an individual, but that of a dynasty of Ethiopian queens.

Greek
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 - 6k
Library

The Conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch.
... "Behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of
the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to ...
/.../dick/lectures on the acts of the apostles/lecture xi the conversion of.htm

A Meeting in the Desert
... And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority
under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a meeting in the desert.htm

The Course Pursued by the Apostles after the Ascension of Christ.
... This queen was Candace, according to the Biblical account; but Candace was the name,
not of an individual, but of a dynasty of queens who ruled in Mero?�, an ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter i the course pursued by.htm

Philip, the Evangelist
... This man, who was the chamberlain or treasurer of Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians,
had heard somehow in his distant home, of the Jewish religion, and had ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/philip the evangelist.htm

The Necessity of Faith for Justification
... When the treasurer of Queen Candace begged to be baptized, Philip the deacon said
to him: "If thou believest with all thy heart, thou mayest." The eunuch ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 1 the necessity of 2.htm

Against Marcionists and Manich??ans.
... Even as the eunuch of Candace read, but until one came who instructed him in the
meaning of what he was reading he derived no great benefit from it. ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/against marcionists and manichaeans.htm

Philip and the Ethiopian
... and go south along the desert road from Jerusalem to Gaza." As he went on his way
he met an Ethiopian who had charge of the treasures of Candace, the queen of ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/philip and the ethiopian.htm

The Statement of the Apostle, that all Things are of the Father by ...
... Spirit. 41. Then, too, the Ethiopian eunuch of Queen Candace, when baptized
in Christ, obtained the fulness of the sacrament. And ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter iii the statement of.htm

By the Sacrifices of the Old Testament, Men were Convinced of Sins ...
... up for our sins." [396] The whole of this passage of prophecy is that famous one
in Isaiah which was expounded by Philip to the eunuch of Queen Candace, and he ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 54 by the sacrifices of.htm

Words of Counsel.
... said, "If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest." And they both went
down into the water; and the man of great authority under Candace, the queen of ...
/.../moody/the way to god and how to find it/chapter iv words of counsel.htm

Resources
What does the Bible say about venting? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian view fashion? | GotQuestions.org

Who was the Ethiopian eunuch? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Can'dace
Top of Page
Top of Page