Was Menelik the birthright son of King Solomon?
Menelik I (originally named Ebna la-Hakim, “Son of the Wise”), first Jewish Emperor of Ethiopia, is traditionally believed to be the son of King Solomon of ancient Israel and Makeda, Queen of Sheba and ruled around 950 BC, according to traditional sources.1 Tradition credits him with bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Ethiopia, following a visit to Jerusalem to meet his father upon reaching adulthood. According to the Kebra Nagast, King Solomon had intended on sending one son of each of his nobles and one son each of each temple priest with Menelik upon his return to his mother’s kingdom. He is supposed to have had a replica made of the Ark for them to take with them. Upon the death of Queen Makeda, Menelik assumed the throne with the new title of Emperor and King of Kings of Ethiopia. According to legend, he founded the Solomonic dynasty of Ethiopia that ruled Ethiopia with few interruptions for close to three thousand years and 225 generations later ended with the fall of Emperor Ha
Related Questions
- My son/daughter was very involved in youth group/synagogue in high school but doesn seem to want to get involved in Jewish life at college. What can we do to get him/her connected with Hillel?
- Can I claim medical expenses such as the purchase of prescription glasses for my 21 year old son who is away from home attending university?
- My son/daughter has climbed a little; how will he/she fit into the Earth Treks Climbing Team?