The Bible contains many references to people of color, including a number of prominent black individuals. Though the Bible does not explicitly describe most people’s skin color, there are contextual clues that indicate race in several passages. Here is an overview of some of the main black characters and groups mentioned in the Bible:
Zipporah – Moses’ Wife
Moses’ wife Zipporah was described as a “Cushite” woman (Numbers 12:1). Cush was a region of Africa where people had dark skin, indicating Zipporah was likely black. Her black African ancestry seems confirmed by the way Moses’ siblings criticized him for marrying her. Some scholars believe Zipporah may have actually been the daughter of Jethro, Moses’ Midianite father-in-law, suggesting she had a mixed racial background.
The Queen of Sheba
The Queen of Sheba who visited King Solomon is thought to have come from the kingdom of Sheba in modern-day Ethiopia or Yemen (1 Kings 10:1-13). The Queen of Sheba was described as being impressed by Solomon’s wisdom and wealth, indicating she herself reigned over a wealthy kingdom. Her geographic origins indicate she was likely black.
Ethiopian Eunuch
In Acts 8:26-40, Philip encounters an Ethiopian eunuch reading Scripture in his chariot. Ethiopia corresponded to parts of modern Sudan and southern Egypt, strongly suggesting this man was black. The eunuch was an important official in the court of the Ethiopian queen and had come to Jerusalem to worship. On his way home, Philip explained the gospel to him and he became a believer.
Simon of Cyrene
Simon of Cyrene was compelled by Roman soldiers to carry Jesus’ cross on the way to his crucifixion (Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26). Cyrene was an ancient Greek city on the North African coast in what is now Libya. This indicates Simon likely had black African ancestry.
Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians
Acts 8 mentions a “Candace, queen of the Ethiopians” whose eunuch Philip converted to Christianity. Just like the Ethiopian eunuch, Candace was probably black since she reigned over the kingdom of Ethiopia (Acts 8:27). The title Candace was actually used for generations of Ethiopian queens. The Bible references a specific Candace who ruled during the 1st century AD.
The Kushites
The Kushites were an ancient African civilization centered around the Nile Valley regions of Egypt and Sudan. They are referenced numerous times in the Old Testament as descendants of Noah’s grandson Cush (Genesis 10:6). Bible passages describe the Kushites having dark skin (Jeremiah 13:23, “Can the Cushite change his skin?”). The Kushites inhabited northern Sudan, migrated into Egypt, and even ruled Egypt for over 100 years.
Pharaoh Tirhakah
Tirhakah was a powerful Kushite king who ruled Egypt for a period in the 7th century BC. He led military campaigns into the Near East and is mentioned by name in 2 Kings 19:9 and Isaiah 37:9. As a Kushite, Tirhakah would have had black African ancestry.
Ebed-Melech
During the siege of Jerusalem, the prophet Jeremiah was cast into a cistern to die. However, Ebed-Melech, identified as a Cushite eunuch in king Zedekiah’s court, rescued Jeremiah from the cistern (Jeremiah 38:7-13). As a Cushite, Ebed-Melech was most likely black.
The Ethiopian Pilgrims to Jerusalem
Zephaniah 3:10 speaks poetically of God gathering worshipers from “beyond the rivers of Cush.” This is commonly thought to refer to pious Ethiopians making pilgrimages to worship God in Jerusalem. As residents of the African kingdom of Cush, these pilgrims were likely black.
descendants of Ham
Several of Noah’s descendants through his son Ham settled in Africa, implying that the Hamites were likely black. These include the Egyptians, Cushites, Putites, and Canaanites (Genesis 10:6-20). However, the Bible does not explicitly state their skin color.
Lucius of Cyrene
Lucius of Cyrene was one of several prophets and teachers in the church at Antioch mentioned in Acts 13:1. Cyrene, located in modern Libya, had a large Jewish population in biblical times. A resident of Cyrene like Lucius would have likely been black.
Simeon Called Niger
Acts 13:1 also mentions Simeon “who was called Niger.” Niger means black, indicating Simeon likely had black skin. However, he could also have received this nickname because he came from Africa.
The Ethiopian Jews in Jerusalem
In the book of Acts, Ethiopian Jews in Jerusalem are mentioned as receiving the Holy Spirit along with the other disciples on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:9). As Ethiopian Jews, these people likely had black skin.
In addition to the individuals and groups mentioned above, there are a few other possible references to black Africans in the Bible:
- Numbers 12:10 alludes to Moses becoming temporarily “leprous, as white as snow.” This likely refers to his skin becoming pale during his period of leprosy. His skin was presumably darker before and after this incident.
- The beautiful bride in Song of Solomon 1:5 says “I am black and lovely”, suggesting she had dark skin.
- Jeremiah 13:23 asks rhetorically “Can the Ethiopian change his skin?” This indicates that Ethiopians typically had black skin.
So in summary, while the specific race and skin color of most individuals in the Bible are not explicitly stated, there are certainly several clear references to black Africans. The Bible integrated them into biblical history and affirmed their dignity and importance.
Here are some key points about the presence of black Africans in the Bible:
- Individuals like Zipporah, the Ethiopian eunuch, and Simon of Cyrene were black according to textual clues.
- Groups like the Kushites and Ethiopian Jews originated from the African continent.
- Kings and queens from Ethiopia and Egypt’s Nile region likely had black skin.
- The Bible integrates black people of Africa into the overall historical narrative.
- Black Africans took part in major events like Pentecost along with the other disciples.
- The dignity and value of black lives are affirmed, not denied, in the Bible.
While race was not as much of an issue in biblical times as it is today, the Bible shows how people of different ethnicities interacted and were united through faith in the one true God. The Bible upholds the value of all people as image-bearers of God (Genesis 1:26-27). As 1 Samuel 16:7 declares, “The Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”