Beyond the Ethiopic Canon: Distinctive Theological Motifs in the Geʽez Tradition of Jubilees

The Ethiopic tradition of the Book of Jubilees represents one of the most significant examples of ancient Jewish literature preserved within an African Christian manuscript tradition. While Jubilees originated within Second Temple Judaism, its survival primarily through Geʽez manuscripts demonstrates the complex movement of sacred texts across languages, communities, and historical contexts.

This article examines distinctive theological motifs within the Geʽez tradition of Jubilees, focusing on creation, covenant identity, sacred time, angelic mediation, purity, and the preservation of sacred memory. It explores how the Ethiopian Christian manuscript tradition contributed to the survival and interpretation of an ancient text that occupies an important position in the wider history of biblical literature.

By examining Jubilees beyond narrow canonical boundaries, this study highlights the importance of Ethiopian Christianity, manuscript traditions, and regional expressions of faith for contemporary biblical and theological studies.