"And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet" (Acts 8:26-28)
The name "Candace" appears but once in the Bible (Acts 8:27). However, Ethiopia is mentioned by that name 20 times in the Bible, as well as otherwise referenced (e.g., Cush). Ethiopia, like other formerly obscure deceased empires that interacted with God's people, deserves some exposure to the student of Holy Writ.
Historically, kings rather than queens usually ruled kingdoms in antiquity. Typically, men ascended to thrones, led armies and were warriors. However, two notable exceptions ascribing regal rule to women appear both in the Bible and in secular history. "In the New Testament we read of the 'queen of the south,' i.e., Southern Arabia, Sheba (Matt. 12:42; Luke 11:31) and the 'queen of the Ethiopians' (Acts 8:27), Candace." Further, the Ethiopian queen also waged wars, leading armies into battle, which armies were in part comprised of female warriors. "Ethiopian monuments singularly confirm the prominence given to females as queens and armed warriors…" "Candace, Queen of the Ethiopians. CANDACE [KAN duh see] (Queen or ruler of children)-a queen of Ethiopia (Acts 8:27). The king of Ethiopia was thought to be the child of the sun and therefore too sacred to exercise the actual functions of governing. The queen mother, who was called Candace, exercised the rule. Many secular monuments speak of the high honor paid to women in Ethiopia, and Candace. One of the pyramids of Meroe was Candace's-her picture can still be seen at Kaga-and to her belonged the wonderful treasure of jewelry found in 1834 by Ferlini and now in the Berlin museum. ETHIOPIA; CUSH Named Cush in the Hebrew Bible and Cash in the Egyptian sources, Ethiopia is first mentioned in Genesis (2:13) as the land encompassed by the River Gihon, which flowed from the Garden of Eden. Situated in the Nile Valley between the second and the fourth cataracts, it was identified from early times as Nubia. "Woe to the land shadowing with wings, which is beyond the rivers of Ethiopia" (Isaiah 18:1). "From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering" (Zephaniah 3:10). Isa 18:1 Which (is) beyond the rivers of Ethiopia. Meroe, the island between the "rivers" Nile and Astaboras is meant, famed for its commerce, and perhaps the seat of the Ethiopian government, hence addressed here as representing the whole empire. Ethiopia -- country of burnt faces; the Greek word by which the Hebrew Cush is rendered (Gen. 2:13; 2 Kings 19:9; Esther 1:1; Job 28:19; Ps. 68:31; 87:4), a country which lay to the south of Egypt, beginning at Syene on the First Cataract (Ezek. 29:10; 30:6), and extending to beyond the confluence of the White and Blue Nile. It corresponds generally with what is now known as the Soudan (i.e., the land of the blacks). Ethiopia is spoken of in prophecy (Ps. 68:31; 87:4; Isa. 45:14; Ezek. 30:49; Dan. 11:43; Nah. 3:8-10; Hab. 3:7; Zeph. 2:12). Meroe, where George Reisner identified pyramid tombs of reigning Candaces of Ethiopia constructed from c. 300 b.c. to a.d. 300. However, that the Jewish prophets (such as Isaiah) addressed Ethiopia as a contemporary country dates the nation back even father to at least 700 B.C.
In conclusion, "Candace" is an utterly meaningless term to the Bible reader, until he discovers her identity. At best, the casual Bible pupil will incorrectly assign biblical references concerning Ethiopia to a contemporary nation by the same name, until he learns better. Biblical references to Candace and Ethiopia will seem inconsequential, until one realizes that they represent a real chapter in human history and that God's people and others with whom God's people interacted are recorded on the pages of that chapter.
The background lying behind Acts 8:26-28 when brought to light makes the study of that passage more rewarding.
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