Two hundred years ago, the "curse of Ham" was used to legitimize slavery. Both Ethiopians and Arabians claim the queen of Sheba. Could Moses and Jesus have been black? Much has been said about the connection between Africa and the Bible. Unfortunately, most scholarly works exploring ancient Africa ignore biblical references. On the other hand, contemporary afrocentric biblical studies often ignore the wealth of archaeological discoveries and historical discussions bearing on the subject. Well-respected scholar Edwin Yamauchi fills these voids, offering a scholarly interpretation that integrates biblical exegesis, archaeological evidence, and recent historical discussions.

Africa and the Bible explores the historical and archaeological background of biblical texts that deal with Africa and the Bible, examines the exegesis of these texts, and traces the ramifications of later interpretations and misinterpretations of these texts. Yamauchi deals with such topics as the curse of Ham’s son Canaan, Moses’ Cushite wife, the Ethiopian eunuch, Simon the Cyrene, and afrocentric biblical interpretation. Along the way he dispels myths, interacts with current theories, and provides sound judgments as to what the Bible does and does not say.

Students and scholars of the Bible, African studies, and global Christianity will appreciate the extra features Yamauchi employs. He includes photographs, maps, charts, an appendix critiquing Martin Bernal’s Black Athena, and Scripture, author, and subject indexes.

In recent years, the academic world and the general public have become interested in the role played by Africa in biblical history. Edwin Yamauchi has provided a valuable service with his book Africa and the Bible. Too many unqualified people have produced popular works on this subject that lack academic credibility. Yamauchi has carefully and thoroughly investigated every possible reference to Africa and Africans in the Bible, deftly synthesizing a massive amount of information and scholarly literature to produce a very useful study.–James K. Hoffmeier, professor of Old Testament and Near Eastern history and archaeology, Trinity International University

Sensitive both to Afrocentric interests and to data from ancient Egypt and elsewhere, this work reveals, as his works always do, Professor Yamauchi’s brilliant multidisciplinary competence. He interacts respectfully with different views, and even those who disagree with some elements of his approach or would welcome an even fuller exploration of some issues will find the book a rich treasure of resources. Few readers of the Bible have had access to the information he provides about Nubia and the Nubian Pharaohs of Egypt.–Craig Keener, professor of New Testament, Palmer Theological Seminary