I Compared 7 Ethiopian Bible Offers. Here’s the One I’d Buy.

Enoch. The Watchers. Jubilees. You want the books everyone keeps talking about in an English volume you can open for yourself. But which “complete” Ethiopian Bible belongs on your table? I compared seven offers, and one detail changed how I saw them.

By Linda Mitchell

Updated Nov 2026

A reader's guide | 14 min read

A Solomon’s Gate Press editorial. This comparison is based on published product information and contents, not hands-on testing. We publish the edition recommended below.

The Solomon's Gate Press hardcover in the center, with other Ethiopian Bible editions around it

I started with the question you may be asking now: which Ethiopian Bible would I order to read beyond the Enoch quotations?

Seven offers later, I understood why this purchase can feel harder than it should.

Faith Made. Ethiopica. Abundina. The Living Word. Manuscryptha. Clear Text Editions. Solomon’s Gate Press.

There were impressive covers. Big book counts. Audio libraries. Digital vaults. Promises of the “complete” collection.

So I opened the published contents lists.

Two offers could both say “88 books” and show different selections.

That was the detail I kept coming back to. Before choosing a cover or counting the extras, I wanted to know where the book could take me after the passage that first caught my attention.

For Enoch, that trail begins in a place you may already know.

The passage that makes you want to turn the next page

A printed copy open to a full-page Gustave Doré illustration, Dove Sent Forth From the Ark

Open your Bible to Jude 14-15.

There, Jude introduces a prophecy associated with Enoch. Scholars identify the passage as a quotation from 1 Enoch.

Now imagine wanting to follow that quotation into the book around it. If your Bible is a standard 66-book Protestant edition, you won’t find Enoch in the contents.

You can read the quotation. You can look up what someone says it means. But you still haven’t read the work Jude is drawing from.

Follow that trail and you reach a much larger story.

The Watchers. Angels who cross a forbidden boundary. Their offspring. Violence spreading through the earth. Judgment approaching.

These are parts of an ancient narrative that expands on the brief, puzzling account in Genesis 6. Read the surrounding chapters and a clipped quotation becomes a story you can actually follow.

There is physical evidence of its antiquity, too: the Israel Antiquities Authority’s Dead Sea Scrolls archive includes Aramaic Enoch fragments from Qumran.

You don’t need an internet rumor to make this material fascinating.

The texts themselves give you plenty to investigate.

Then you discover Enoch is only the beginning

The opening page of Book 16, the Book of Jubilees

Jubilees takes you back through Genesis and part of Exodus, retelling familiar events through its own chronology and added detail.

Suddenly, you have two accounts open in front of you. You can notice what is repeated, what is emphasized, and what raises another question.

Then there is Second Enoch. Meqabyan. Wisdom of Solomon. Clement’s letter to the Corinthians.

You may agree with one writer, question another, and want to read a passage twice. That is part of the appeal of having the works in front of you.

You can read the paragraphs before the screenshot, follow a passage to its end, and come back with a question of your own.

You can turn the page yourself.

But first, you have to choose a book. And this is where the seven offers became revealing.

Four things I’d check before giving any seller my money

  1. 1. “88 books” doesn’t tell you which 88

    A number feels reassuring. It looks like a quick way to compare completeness.

    Then you look at the actual titles.

    Faith Made’s displayed contents end with works including Sinodos, two Books of the Covenant and Ethiopic Didascalia. Solomon’s Gate’s photographed contents name Second Enoch and end with Clement’s letter to the Corinthians.

    Both use an 88-book count. Those published lists still describe different selections.

    Clear Text takes another approach: its listing describes 81 books arranged in 90 volumes, including eight Church Order books.

    The titles in the contents have to earn your money. Check them against the works you want to read.

  2. 2. A digital vault isn’t the same as books printed between the covers

    The Living Word advertises an 88-book paperback alongside QR access to 1,412 digital texts. Manuscryptha advertises 88 printed books with 1,712 digital titles.

    That may be appealing if you want a large online library.

    But if you picture reading in your favorite chair, with your phone across the room, the printed contents deserve your attention first.

    Ask one plain question: is the work I want in the physical book, or in something I have to open on a screen?

  3. 3. “Large print” needs more than a reassuring label

    Some listings say large print without giving a point size. Manuscryptha specifies 16-point type for its advertised hardcover. Clear Text specifies 8-point type in three columns.

    Those are meaningfully different reading formats.

    Solomon’s Gate’s illustrated edition uses standard-size biblical print. If very large lettering is your first priority, take that seriously before ordering.

    For me, the attraction here is the collection and its illustrations. I wouldn’t buy it expecting an extra-large-print edition.

  4. 4. Read the terms attached to the extras

    An audiobook, digital library or membership can add value. It can also have terms of its own.

    Abundina’s membership access, for example, involves recurring billing. Check the selected offer before treating access as a forever-free gift.

    I’d choose the printed book first, then decide whether the extras are something I actually want.

    Because a thousand more titles won’t help if you never get around to opening the one that made you curious.

The collection I’d choose: Solomon’s Gate Press

The Complete Ethiopian Bible in English, hardcover edition with gold gilded edges
Solomon's Gate Press

4.6

An Amazon Best Seller

100K+ copies sold

Carrie P.'s copy on a table at home
“Absolutely love it I have dug so deep in the book of Enoch... I definitely suggest if you want to know a different side of the Bible....The real Bible”

Carrie P.Customer review

Solomon’s Gate shows a photograph of its contents. That gave me something concrete to follow: a reading path from Jubilees and Enoch through several other works I wanted in the same volume.

You can see the titles and their numbered entries:

The photographed table of contents, listing Book 16 Jubilees, Book 17 Enoch, Book 18 Second Enoch and Book 88, Clement's letter to the Corinthians

Book 16: Jubilees. Return to the stories of Genesis with another ancient account beside you.

Book 17: Enoch. Follow the prophecy quoted in Jude into the larger work, including the Watchers narrative.

Book 18: Second Enoch. Continue with a separate Enoch text, named as its own entry.

Books 27-29: Meqabyan I, II and III. Explore three further works in the collection.

Book 34: Wisdom of Solomon. Move from narrative into reflections on wisdom and righteousness.

Book 88: Clement’s letter to the Corinthians. Read beyond the familiar New Testament collection into an early Christian letter.

You can inspect the photograph before buying and pick out where you’d begin. I’d start with Enoch, keep Jubilees close at hand, then turn to the other works as new questions came up.

That is a reason to own the collection: several paths worth following, gathered in one book.

Enoch may be the reason you order. It doesn’t have to be where your reading ends.

See the Solomon’s Gate Illustrated Edition

View the contents, choose your available format and see the current price.

A book you can settle into, with more to discover each time

An open spread: The Creation of Light by Gustave Doré facing the text

There is a difference between collecting links and putting a book beside your usual Bible.

A link disappears into the things you meant to come back to. A physical volume can stay on your reading table, with a bookmark where you left off.

Solomon’s Gate brings these works together in an illustrated English collection, with paperback and hardcover options.

Gustave Doré’s full-page biblical illustrations add another reason to pause over the pages. The artwork gives the volume a visual richness that suits time spent with it, whether you’re reading alone or showing someone a passage that caught your attention.

The printed collection is the heart of the purchase. QR access to bonus digital resources gives you more to explore when you want it.

You can start with a single question from Jude, turn to Enoch, then follow your interest into Jubilees or another named work without hunting down a separate edition for each one.

That is the experience I’d pay for: a collection that makes it easy to act on my curiosity.

Order The Hardcover Direct From The Publisher

One copy of the hardcover, with gold gilded page edges

4.6Amazon Best Seller · 100K+ sold

The Complete Ethiopian Bible in English (Illustrated), Hardcover

  • 88 printed books
  • Enoch and Jubilees in print
  • Gold gilded page edges
  • QR audio files and video lessons

$98.75 $124.99

The Real Ethiopian Bible: sold and supported by Solomon's Gate Press

Ships with tracking, and the support team helps with orders and QR bonus access.

Don't Just Take My Word For It: 100K+ Copies Sold

William H.'s copy, open to a full-page illustration
“What makes this edition especially powerful is how it brings together rare and often overlooked writings…”

William H.Customer review

Carrie P.'s copy, open to a full-page illustration
“There are 88 books as opposed to the 66 of a standard Bible.”

Carrie P.Customer review

Kathleen N.'s copy at home
“I am thrilled to have access to these sacred texts of wisdom.”

Kathleen N.Customer review

CVB's copy, open to The Creation of Light
“Very informative and easy to read.”

CVBCustomer review

Stephanie B.'s copy, open to the table of contents
“I absolutely love this bible! It's so easy to read, It's easy to follow.”

Stephanie B.Customer review

Donzella's copy at home
“I am so impressed with this bible…”

DonzellaCustomer review

Carrol's copy: the cover and decorated spine
“This Bible is absolutely beautiful.”

CarrolCustomer review

Excellent

Rated 4.6 / 5 · An Amazon Best Seller · Reviews from the store

Swipe or drag to read more

WHWilliam H.

Customer review

What makes this edition especially powerful is how it brings together rare and often overlooked writings, such as the Book of Enoch, Jubilees, the Books of Ezra, the Book of Wisdom, and other ancient works that many readers have never had the opportunity to explore in one place.

CCarrol

Customer review

I wish I could give this more stars. This Bible is absolutely beautiful. And it is HUGE!!! ... The richness of these ancient texts slowed me down, drew me into prayerful reflection, and helped me feel more connected to God and the early roots of belief.

CPCarrie P.

Customer review

The Ethiopian Bible has the books that I've always heard existed but never found. There are 88 books as opposed to the 66 of a standard Bible.…

KNKathleen N.

Customer review

I am thrilled to have access to these sacred texts of wisdom. I bought several to give to friends and family. There is so much more to learn. Thank you for doing the hard work of translating, it certainly is a labor of love.

CVCVB

Customer review

Very informative and easy to read. ... The traditional order of books is maintained with the lost books inserted where they should be. Highly recommended for study.

SBStephanie B.

Customer review

I absolutely love this bible! It's so easy to read, It's easy to follow.

DDonzella

Customer review

I am so impressed with this bible...

How the seven offers compare, and why I’d choose Solomon’s Gate

I compared the published offers for the reader who wants Enoch and related works together in an illustrated English book. Here is where each one fits that decision.

1: Solomon’s Gate Press: my pick for the illustrated reading collection

The matte cover and decorated spine of the Solomon's Gate Press edition
A printed copy open to a full-page Doré illustration beside the text

Its photographed contents name Enoch, Second Enoch, Jubilees, Meqabyan and Clement. The edition combines those reading paths with Doré illustrations and paperback or hardcover choices.

My choice: I’d buy this edition for the named works above and Doré’s full-page artwork. Together, they make it a volume I’d want beside my usual Bible.

Plan on standard-size biblical print.

2: Faith Made: compare the actual contents

Faith Made advertises 88 books and large print, and displays its contents. Its own disclosure describes an independent compilation drawing on existing English translations and scholarly sources, rather than a direct word-for-word translation from Ge’ez.

The Church Order titles in its displayed contents make the list worth a closer look. Compare those named entries with the reading path you have in mind. My own shortlist centered on Enoch, Second Enoch, Jubilees and Clement, with illustrations alongside the collection.

3: Ethiopica: a substantial presentation and digital extras

Ethiopica’s advertised 88-book offer emphasizes a hardbound, gold-foil presentation with digital and audio resources.

The gold-foil hardcover may catch your eye first. I’d decide how much I wanted the digital and audio resources before letting that bundle tip the choice. For this purchase, my money would go toward the illustrated reading collection.

4: Abundina: a larger hardcover, with membership terms to check

Abundina advertises an 8.5-by-11-inch hardcover with two-column text and 88 books. Its digital membership has its own billing terms.

That larger page size is a concrete reason to consider it. Decide whether the format suits where you read, then check the membership charge and cancellation terms as a separate part of the offer.

5: The Living Word: paperback plus a large digital library

The Living Word advertises an 88-book paperback, a lay-flat format, and QR access to 1,412 digital texts, audio and video resources.

The digital library carries much of this offer’s scale. If you expect to use those texts, audiobooks and videos, that matters. I pictured most of my reading with a book open and my phone put away, so the printed collection carried more weight for me.

6: Manuscryptha: a specified larger type size

Manuscryptha’s selected offer advertises an 88-book hardcover with 16-point type, plus 1,712 digital titles and audio and video extras.

If larger lettering determines whether you’ll enjoy the book, put this offer on your shortlist. Its stated 16-point type answers a practical question. Solomon’s Gate’s standard-size illustrated edition is my preference for the contents and artwork, but print size deserves to decide the purchase when readability comes first.

7: Clear Text Editions: a different collection and format

The Ethiopian Canon Project’s Clear Text offer describes 81 books arranged in 90 volumes, including eight Church Order books. It names translation sources and provides a free interior sample. Its paperback uses 8-point type in three columns.

Open its free sample if those Church Order books are what you’re seeking. The sample also lets you judge the compact three-column layout. I set out to find an illustrated collection to follow from Enoch into the other works named above, which brings me back to Solomon’s Gate.

After comparing all seven, I’d choose Solomon’s Gate for the reading I want to do: Enoch, Second Enoch, Jubilees and more, together in an English volume with Doré illustrations. The contents give me places to begin. The illustrated book is the one I’d want to keep returning to.

Bring These Books to Your Reading Table

Order The Hardcover Direct From The Publisher

One copy of the hardcover, with gold gilded page edges

4.6Amazon Best Seller · 100K+ sold

The Complete Ethiopian Bible in English (Illustrated), Hardcover

  • 88 printed books
  • Enoch and Jubilees in print
  • Gold gilded page edges
  • QR audio files and video lessons

$98.75 $124.99

The Real Ethiopian Bible: sold and supported by Solomon's Gate Press

Ships with tracking, and the support team helps with orders and QR bonus access.

Picture the first evening with it

Kathleen N.'s copy at home
“I am thrilled to have access to these sacred texts of wisdom.”

Kathleen N.

Your usual Bible is open to Jude. Your new collection is open to Enoch.

You find the passage that started your curiosity. Then you keep reading beyond it.

You can go back a paragraph. Check a reference. Leave a bookmark. Bring a question to someone whose judgment you trust.

Next time, perhaps you open Jubilees with Genesis beside it. Or turn to Second Enoch because that title has been on your mind since you saw the contents.

You don’t have to master an entire collection at once.

Start with the book you’ve wanted to read. Let the next question take you further.

There is a quiet satisfaction in finally doing that: being able to say, “I’ve read the passage. Here’s what it actually says.”

A few questions before you order

Do I have to put aside the Bible I already trust?

Keep it open beside you. Use the collection to explore these works with your own questions and convictions. Reading an ancient text gives you the opportunity to examine it for yourself.

Does “88 books” mean every church recognizes this exact collection?

No. It describes this publisher’s collection. Churches have different canons. The buying reason here is the specific set of works you can read in this edition.

Is this an English edition?

Yes. The product is an English collection. This recommendation concerns its published contents, illustrations and format; it doesn’t claim that one publisher’s translation is uniquely authoritative.

Are Enoch and Jubilees printed in the book?

Yes. The photographed contents list Jubilees at 16, Enoch at 17 and Second Enoch at 18. They are part of the printed collection, not merely names in a digital bonus vault.

What about audio and extras?

The illustrated edition includes QR access to bonus digital resources. The Audible audiobook is sold separately. Choose this edition for the printed collection and treat the extras as additions to it.

Where can I see the price, delivery and return details?

Choose your available format on the official product page for the current price, then review delivery details at checkout. Its return policy explains the applicable terms. You can also contact the store with questions before ordering.

You’ve heard people talk about these books. Now read them.

You could save another article about Enoch. Watch another discussion. Add another title to the list you’ll get around to someday.

Or you could put the collection on your reading table.

Enoch. Second Enoch. Jubilees. Meqabyan. Wisdom of Solomon. Clement.

An illustrated English volume you can open, return to, and read alongside the Bible you already own.

Pages Made To Be Read And Kept

A full-page illustration titled Dove Sent Forth From the Ark
Full-page Gustave Doré illustrations
The opening page of Book 16, the Book of Jubilees
Two columns, chapter and verse numbers

Standard-size biblical print. Photographed in printed copies.

That is why, after comparing these seven offers, Solomon’s Gate is the one I’d choose.

Look through the photographed contents. Pick your available format. Order through the official store.

When it arrives, start with the passage that made you curious.

Then turn the page.

Yes, I Want to Read These Books for Myself

See the current price and choose your Solomon’s Gate edition.

P.S. The next time someone tells you what Enoch says, you can do something better than search for another opinion. Open the book. Read the passage around the quotation. Give yourself the chance to decide what you think.