Ethiopia: Prophecies Concerning the Conversion of
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Ethiopia, known in biblical times as Cush, holds a significant place in the prophetic literature of the Bible. The ancient kingdom, located in the region of modern-day Sudan and Ethiopia, is frequently mentioned in the Scriptures, often symbolizing distant lands and peoples. The prophecies concerning Ethiopia's conversion are seen as part of the broader biblical theme of the inclusion of Gentile nations into the covenant blessings of Israel.

Isaiah's Vision of Ethiopia's Conversion

The prophet Isaiah speaks of Ethiopia in a manner that suggests its future inclusion in the worship of the God of Israel. In Isaiah 18:7 , it is written: "At that time gifts will be brought to the LORD of Hosts from a people tall and smooth-skinned, from a people feared far and wide, a nation powerful and oppressive, whose land the rivers divide—to Mount Zion, the place of the Name of the LORD of Hosts." This passage is often interpreted as a prophecy of Ethiopia's acknowledgment of the God of Israel, bringing gifts to Mount Zion, symbolizing their conversion and worship.

Zephaniah's Prophetic Declaration

The prophet Zephaniah also speaks of Ethiopia in the context of God's redemptive plan. In Zephaniah 3:10 , it is declared: "From beyond the rivers of Cush My worshipers, the daughter of My dispersed people, will bring Me an offering." This prophecy envisions a time when the people of Ethiopia, referred to as Cush, will participate in the worship of the LORD, bringing offerings as a sign of their devotion and inclusion among God's people.

The Psalmist's Anticipation

The Psalms also contain references to Ethiopia's future conversion. Psalm 68:31 states: "Envoys will arrive from Egypt; Cush will stretch out her hands to God." This imagery of Ethiopia stretching out her hands to God is a powerful symbol of submission and worship, indicating a future turning to the LORD.

The Broader Context of Gentile Inclusion

The prophecies concerning Ethiopia's conversion are part of a larger biblical narrative that anticipates the inclusion of all nations in the worship of the one true God. This theme is echoed in the New Testament, where the gospel is proclaimed to all nations, fulfilling the prophetic vision of the Old Testament. The Ethiopian eunuch's conversion in Acts 8:26-39 is often seen as a fulfillment of these prophecies, symbolizing the beginning of Ethiopia's spiritual journey towards the God of Israel.

In summary, the prophetic literature of the Bible envisions a time when Ethiopia, along with other Gentile nations, will turn to the LORD in worship and devotion. These prophecies highlight the universal scope of God's redemptive plan and the ultimate fulfillment of His promise to bless all the families of the earth through the seed of Abraham.
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Psalm 68:31
Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands to God.
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Psalm 87:4
I will make mention of Rahab and Babylon to them that know me: behold Philistia, and Tyre, with Ethiopia; this man was born there.
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Isaiah 45:14
Thus said the LORD, The labor of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over to you, and they shall be yours: they shall come after you; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down to you, they shall make supplication to you, saying, Surely God is in you; and there is none else, there is no God.
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Daniel 11:43
But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.
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Library

Acts viii. 26, 27
... Ethiopia lay to the S. of Egypt and Candace was queen of ... to be) and the other that
the prophet spoke concerning himself in these prophecies, an opinion not ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xix acts viii 26.htm

Hope for the Heathen
... was the assurance of the Lord concerning the child of ... Princes shall come out of Egypt;
Ethiopia shall soon ... These prophecies of a great spiritual awakening in a ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 31 hope for the.htm

Questions.
... 9. But what had been foretold concerning Cyrus?"Is. xlv. I, 2, 3. 10. ... 2. What Church
was left in Ethiopia? ... 8. How did they misread the prophecies? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

Matthew.
... Palestine, Ethiopia, Macedonia, the country of the Euphrates ... the Hebrew when they
convey Messianic prophecies, and are ... of the ancient church concerning a prior ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 80 matthew.htm

General Index.
... Ethiopia, Christians in, during Dark Ages, 577. ... Prophecies, of destruction of Jerusalem,
21, 22, 25-27 ... concerning first advent, fulfilment of, 344-348, 405, 424 ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /general index.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... labour of Egypt and merchandise of Ethiopia, and the ... (Concerning this point, compare
the inquiries in the ... in general, on the fundamental prophecies of Genesis ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

And ii.
... of the mode in which, in the prophecies of our ... of Egypt, and the prisoners of Ethiopia,
young men ... Concerning the situation of Jerusalem, Josephus, de BJ i.6, c ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... will dare to speak the truth concerning the sins of ... "Ethiopia (says the Psalmist)
shall stretch forth her hands ... must be overthrown before the prophecies can be ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

John Bunyan on the Terms of Communion and Fellowship of Christians ...
... certainly be fulfilled in all the prophecies, threatenings, and ... is my partner and
fellow-helper concerning you: or ... to his master and country of Ethiopia (Acts 8 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/john bunyan on the terms.htm

A Clearing-Up Storm in the Realm
... north to Russia, south to Africa (Ethiopia), east to ... item after item of these prophecies
plainly not ... upon men's persons, and everything concerning their life. ...
/.../vi a clearing-up storm in the.htm

Resources
What does selah mean in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Is the Rastafarian / Rasta god “Jah” the same as the Christian God? | GotQuestions.org

What is glossolalia? | GotQuestions.org

Ethiopia: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Aethiopia

Ethiopia

Ethiopia was Called the Land of Cush, Mentioned In

Ethiopia: A Eunuch From, Becomes a Disciple Beause of the Preaching of Philip

Ethiopia: Bordered Egypt on the South

Ethiopia: Candace, Queen of

Ethiopia: Defeated by Asa

Ethiopia: Desolation of

Ethiopia: Invaded Syria

Ethiopia: Merchandise of

Ethiopia: Moses Marries a Woman of

Ethiopia: Prophecies Concerning the Conversion of

Ethiopia: Rivers of

Ethiopia: The Inhabitants of, Black

Ethiopia: Treats Jeremiah Kindly

Ethiopia: Warriors of

Ethiopia: Within the Babylonian Empire

Related Terms

Ethiopic

Tirhakah (2 Occurrences)

Cush (31 Occurrences)

Candace (1 Occurrence)

Ethiopian (11 Occurrences)

Africa (1 Occurrence)

Seba (4 Occurrences)

Lud (10 Occurrences)

127 (3 Occurrences)

Zerah (22 Occurrences)

Ludim (3 Occurrences)

Libya (4 Occurrences)

India (2 Occurrences)

Topaz (7 Occurrences)

Tirha'kah (2 Occurrences)

Marching (17 Occurrences)

Syene (4 Occurrences)

Stretching (84 Occurrences)

Zephaniah (11 Occurrences)

Representatives (26 Occurrences)

Moses (9295 Occurrences)

Barefoot (7 Occurrences)

Sheba (36 Occurrences)

Infinite (8 Occurrences)

Stripped (62 Occurrences)

Provinces (40 Occurrences)

Naked (56 Occurrences)

Nobles (71 Occurrences)

Dispersion (4 Occurrences)

Rivers (81 Occurrences)

Queen (59 Occurrences)

Mingled (62 Occurrences)

Ham (16 Occurrences)

Xerxes (24 Occurrences)

Nations (683 Occurrences)

Isaiah (64 Occurrences)

Kittim (8 Occurrences)

Nile (37 Occurrences)

Ur (5 Occurrences)

Untroubled (3 Occurrences)

Unclothed (14 Occurrences)

Official (45 Occurrences)

Lieutenants (4 Occurrences)

Lubim (4 Occurrences)

Libyans (6 Occurrences)

Gihon (6 Occurrences)

Wasteness (4 Occurrences)

Whirring (1 Occurrence)

Infinitude

Important (39 Occurrences)

Thatknow (1 Occurrence)

Twenty-third (7 Occurrences)

Trudge (1 Occurrence)

Twenty-seven (6 Occurrences)

Rank (42 Occurrences)

Rustling (2 Occurrences)

Ethiopians (11 Occurrences)

Envoys (16 Occurrences)

Exile (101 Occurrences)

Egypt's (13 Occurrences)

Deserts (18 Occurrences)

Deputies (14 Occurrences)

Multitude (352 Occurrences)

Mordecai's (6 Occurrences)

Philistia (12 Occurrences)

Prophecy (37 Occurrences)

Phut (7 Occurrences)

Pathros (6 Occurrences)

Pain (172 Occurrences)

Portent (5 Occurrences)

People (13047 Occurrences)

Philip (37 Occurrences)

Products (9 Occurrences)

Buttocks (3 Occurrences)

Boasted (12 Occurrences)

Buzzing (1 Occurrence)

Bared (4 Occurrences)

Ha (8 Occurrences)

Compared (29 Occurrences)

Ethiopia: Moses Marries a Woman of
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