Notable Non Hebrew African Kings and Queens in the Bible

The Bible mentions several African kings, either directly or indirectly, who played significant roles in biblical narratives. Here are some notable ones:

1. Pharaohs of Egypt:

   • The Pharaohs are central figures in the Bible, particularly in the stories of Joseph, Moses, and the Exodus. While their specific names are not mentioned, they represent the rulers of ancient Egypt, a prominent African kingdom.

   • Notable Pharaohs include:

     • The Pharaoh during Joseph's time, who elevated Joseph to a position of power (Genesis 41).

     • The Pharaoh during Moses' time, who refused to let the Israelites go, leading to the ten plagues and the Exodus (Exodus 5-14).

2. Queen of Sheba:

   • The Queen of Sheba (likely from the region of modern-day Ethiopia or Yemen) visited King Solomon to test his wisdom and brought lavish gifts (1 Kings 10:1-13; 2 Chronicles 9:1-12). She is often associated with the ancient African kingdom of Ethiopia.

3. Tirhakah, King of Cush:

   • Tirhakah (also spelled Taharqa) was a king of Cush (modern-day Sudan) and Egypt. He is mentioned in 2 Kings 19:9 and Isaiah 37:9 as coming to fight against the Assyrian king Sennacherib during his campaign against Judah.

4. Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians:

   • While not named individually, the title "Candace" refers to the queens of Ethiopia. In Acts 8:27-39, an Ethiopian eunuch, a high official under the queen, encounters Philip and becomes one of the first African converts to Christianity.

5. Zerah the Ethiopian:

   • Zerah was a Cushite (Ethiopian) king who led a massive army against King Asa of Judah but was defeated (2 Chronicles 14:9-15).