JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

February 1988

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your question concerning the Scythians.

This name was given to VARIOUS peoples. In ancient times, the area of the Caucasus mountains known as Scythia (or Sacae) also bore the name "Land of the Rising Sun." In the process of time, the name "Scythia" passed to other tribes and peoples who dwelt in, or migrated through, the land of Scythia.

The apostle Paul divided the world into Greek and Jew, Barbarian and Scythian (Col.3:11) -- applying the name "Scythian" to that people which came out of the east and migrated into western Europe and the British Isles. The modern word "Scot" is, in fact, merely a corruption of the old Greek "Scythian."

However, Herodotus describes the EASTERN Scythians as an unusual people, lacking body hair, with noticeably rounded face and chin, flat-nosed, speaking a peculiar language and wearing a distinctive costume. Combining the accounts of Herodotus with the traditions of the Parsees of India and the Japanese, we find that a Scythian prince named Zoroaster II founded the royal throne of Japan in 660 B.C. The Japanese of today are likely to be at least part Scythian.

Whenever we may assist you further with your study of the Bible, we hope you will let us know. It is our pleasure to serve you.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT