Beta Israel

[ bey-tuh iz-ree-uhl, -rey- ]

noun

1. an Ethiopian people who practice a biblical form of Judaism: for many centuries, the Beta Israel lived in isolation from other Jewish communities.
2. a member of this people, most of whom now live in Israel.

Sensitive Note

See Falasha.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Beta Israel¹

First recorded in 2005–10; from Geez beta ʾəsrāʾel “House of Israel,” equivalent to Beta, a bound form of bet “house” + ʾƏsrāʾel “Israel,” from Hebrew Yisrāʾēl; beth ( def ), Israel ( def )