Rare Ethiopian Christian Scripture Published Online in English
Addis Ababa, 7 October 2026
The Third Book of Meqabyan, a unique scripture absent from Western Bibles, is now online in English, giving global diaspora and refugee communities unprecedented access to their sacred heritage.
Bridging the Diaspora Gap
The digital publication of the Third Book of Ethiopic Maccabees (3 Meqabyan) in English on Amazon [1] marks an uplifting milestone for the global Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo diaspora. For refugee communities, such as those residing in Kakuma and Kalobeyei, this online release provides unprecedented access to their unique biblical heritage [GPT]. Translated from the Amharic biblical tradition by Michael R. Mikhail and Matt Smith, with comparisons to surviving Lyarics English witnesses [1], the text allows families to preserve and share their distinct religious identity far from their homeland [GPT].
Understanding the Theological Narrative of Meqabyan
While Western biblical canons typically contain 66 books, the traditional Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church canon boasts 81 books [2][3][4]. This represents a significant difference of 15 books, which have been faithfully preserved in the ancient Semitic liturgical language of Ge’ez for over 1,500 years [4]. Despite its title, the Third Book of Meqabyan is not a continuation of the First and Second Books of Maccabees [1]. Instead, it offers an inspiring theological narrative focusing on faithfulness to God, repentance, righteous living, and the hope of the Kingdom of Heaven [1].
A Rich Heritage Restored
A central theme of this sacred text is the resurrection of the dead, teaching that the deceased will rise by God’s Word and receive recompense according to their works [1]. The book contrasts the fleeting pleasures of the temporary world with everlasting spiritual joy, encouraging readers to fast, pray, and care for the poor [1]. With Ethiopia’s Christian history stretching back to the 300s AD [2], the digital release of 3 Meqabyan on Wednesday, 7 October 2026 [GPT] ensures that this ancient wisdom remains alive and highly accessible to a new generation of believers worldwide [GPT].