Descrizione:
In the colophons Isaac says I have toiled much for the glory of the kingdom of Ethiopia, and for the going forth (manifestation P) of the heavenly Zion, and for the glory of the King of Ethiopia. These words throw some light upon Isaac's motive in translating the book, and supply the reason for his devoted labour. He firmly believed 1. That the lawful kings of Ethiopia were descended from Solomon, King of Israel. 2. That the Tabernacle of the Law of God, i.e. The Ark of the Covenant, had been brought from Jerusalem to Aksum by Menyelek, Solomon's firstborn son, according to the Ethiopians. 3. That the God of Israel had transferred His place of abode on earth from Jerusalem to Aksum (aksum), the ecclesiastical and political capital of Ethio pia. The means employed by Menyelek for obtaining possession of the Ark of the Covenant did not disturb Isaac's conscience in the least, nay he gloried in them, for manifestly Menyelek was performing the Will of God in removing the tabernacle of Zion from Jerusalem. God, according to Isaac, was satisfied that the Jews were un worthy to be custodians of the Ark Wherein His Presence was, and the Ark wished to depart. Ethiopia had stretched out her hands to God (psalm lxviii, 3 and He went to her, with the Ark, to preside over Menyelek's kingdom, which was established in accordance with the commands that He had given to Moses and the prophets and priests of Israel. |
