The Ethiopian Books of Maccabees (Meqabyan) remain elusive to much of western scholarship. Its composition stands in stark contrast to the more familiar editions of Maccabees found in contemporary Catholic and Orthodox Bibles, and therefore, it has gained little notoriety within western ecclesiastical circles. For its part, the Ethiopian Tewahedo Church had guarded these sacred texts and retained them in both the original Ge'ez and Amharic tongues. They have never before translated them into a foreign vernacular for the common access of the laity. However, her, within this short volume, the full English translation of its first book is rendered. Additional commentary is offered to guide the read and provide additional insight into the text. Its contents serve as an elegant addition to the library of both academic scholars and churchmen alike.
