Topical Encyclopedia The Queen of Sheba is a prominent figure in biblical history, known for her visit to King Solomon, as recorded in the Old Testament. Her account is primarily found in 1 Kings 10:1-13 and 2 Chronicles 9:1-12. She is often celebrated for her wisdom, wealth, and the significant role she played in the biblical narrative.Biblical Account The Queen of Sheba heard of Solomon's great wisdom and the fame of his relationship with the LORD, prompting her to visit Jerusalem to test him with difficult questions. As stated in 1 Kings 10:1 , "Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon in relation to the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions." Her journey was not merely a diplomatic mission but a quest for understanding and truth. Upon her arrival, she brought a great caravan with camels carrying spices, gold, and precious stones, signifying her wealth and the importance of her visit. The Bible describes her as being overwhelmed by Solomon's wisdom and the splendor of his kingdom. 1 Kings 10:4-5 notes, "When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away." Significance and Symbolism The Queen of Sheba's visit is significant for several reasons. It highlights the far-reaching fame of Solomon's wisdom and the prosperity of his reign, which was a testament to God's blessing upon Israel. Her acknowledgment of Solomon's wisdom and the LORD's favor is captured in her words in 1 Kings 10:9 : "Blessed be the LORD your God, who has delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, He has made you king to carry out justice and righteousness." Her visit also symbolizes the recognition of God's wisdom by the nations, foreshadowing the universal reach of God's kingdom. The Queen of Sheba's journey from a distant land to seek wisdom is often seen as a precursor to the Gentile inclusion in the divine plan, as later emphasized in the New Testament. Cultural and Historical Context The identity of Sheba is traditionally associated with the region of Saba, located in present-day Yemen or Ethiopia. The wealth and power of Sheba are well-documented in historical and archaeological records, suggesting a prosperous and influential kingdom engaged in trade across the Arabian Peninsula and beyond. The Queen of Sheba's account has also been enriched by various cultural traditions outside the biblical text. In Ethiopian tradition, she is known as Makeda and is considered an ancestor of the Ethiopian royal lineage, further emphasizing her lasting legacy and influence. New Testament Reference The Queen of Sheba is mentioned in the New Testament by Jesus Christ, who refers to her as the "Queen of the South." In Matthew 12:42 , Jesus says, "The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now one greater than Solomon is here." This reference underscores her role as a seeker of wisdom and highlights the greater wisdom found in Christ. Legacy The Queen of Sheba remains a figure of intrigue and admiration, representing the pursuit of wisdom and the acknowledgment of God's sovereignty. Her account continues to inspire and challenge believers to seek divine wisdom and recognize the broader implications of God's kingdom. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 10:1-13And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to prove him with hard questions. Nave's Topical Index Library Thou Dost not Hide Thyself in Thy Bareness, O Pearl! Men Entrust their Safety Rather to a Just than to a Prudent Man. . ... The History of Solomon A Ruler who Wronged his People Some General Matters and Some Biblical Characters. The Bible Book ... Elucidations. Book 8 Footnotes Introductory Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ The Great Power of God Resources Why do women have such a small role in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about women leaders in government? Should a woman be President? | GotQuestions.org What roles can women fill in ministry? | GotQuestions.org Women: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Women are Courteous to Strangers Women are Tender to Her offspring Women of the Body (Ekklesia) of Christ Women: A Persian Queen Sat on a Throne Beside Her King Women: Active in Instigating to Iniquity Women: As Prophets: Philip's Four Unmarried Daughters Women: Athaliah, in Destroying the Royal Household and Usurping the Throne Women: Bath-Sheba, in Her Adultery, in Becoming the Wife of Her Husband's Murderer Women: Consecrated Jewels to Tabernacle Women: Converted by Preaching of Paul Women: Could not Marry Without the Consent of Parents Women: Deborah, a Judge, Prophetess, and Military Leader Women: Delilah, in Her Conspiracy Against Samson Women: Difference in Ceremonies Made Between Male and Female Children Women: Dinah, in Her Fornication Women: Eve, in Yielding to Temptation and Seducing Her Husband Women: Fall of, and Curse Upon Women: First to Whom the Risen Lord Appeared Women: Fond of Self-Indulgence Women: Forbidden to Wear Men's Costume Women: Gomer, the Adulterous Wife of Hosea Women: had Separate Apartments in Dwellings Women: Haman's Wife, in Advising Him to Hang Mordecai Women: Hannah, the Mother of Samuel Women: Help in Defensive Operations Women: Herodias, in Her Incestuous Marriage With Herod Antipas Women: Herodius, by Indirectly Causing John the Baptist to be Decapitated Women: Jezebel, in Her Conspiracy Against Naboth, to Cheat Him out of his Vineyard Women: Jezebel, in Her Evil Counsels To, and Influence Over, Ahab Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution and Destruction of the Prophets of the Lord Women: Jezebel, in Her Persecution of Elijah Women: Job's Wife, in Suggesting to Him That he Curse God and Die Women: Leah, in Her Imitation of Rachel in the Matter of Children Women: Lot's Wife, in Her Rebellion Against Her Situation, and Against the Destruction of Sodom Women: Michal, in Her Derision of David's Religious Zeal Women: Miriam, in Her Sedition With Aaron Against Moses Women: Not to be Given in Marriage Was Considered a Calamity Women: Patriotic: The Women of Israel Women: Patriotic: The Women of the Philistines Women: Peninnah, the Wife of Elkanah, in Her Jealous Taunting of Hannah Women: Potiphar's Wife, in Her Lascivious Lust and Slander Against Joseph Women: Property Rights of in Inheritance Women: Property Rights of To Sell Real Estate Women: Punishment for Seducing, when not Betrothed Women: Punishment to be Inflicted Upon Men for Seducing, when Betrothed Women: Purifications of After Childbirth Women: Purifications of After Menstruation Women: Rachel, in Her Jealousy of Leah Women: Rachel, in Stealing Images Women: Religious Privileges of, Among Early Christians Women: Required to Attend to the Reading of the Law of Moses Women: Rules for Dress of Christian Women: Sapphira, in Her Blasphemous Falsehood Women: Sarah, in Her Jealousy and Malice Toward Hagar Women: Silly, and Easily Led Into Error Women: Social Status of in Persia Women: Social Status of in Roman Customs Women: Sold for Husband's Debts Women: Solomon's Wives, in Their Idolatrous and Wicked Influence Over Solomon Women: Symbolical of Wickedness Women: Tended Flocks and Herds Women: The Cannibalistic Mothers of Samaria Women: The Daughters of Lot, in Their Incestuous Lust Women: The Midianite Woman in the Camp of Israel, Taken in Adultery Women: The Philippian Christians Women: The Shunammite Woman, Who Gave Hospitality to Elisha Women: The Sodomites of the Southern Kingdom (Judah) Women: The Widow Who Put Her Two Mite (Small Coins, Greek: Leptas) Into the Treasury Women: The Woman Caught in the Act of Adultery and Brought to Jesus in the Temple Women: Took Part in Ancient Worship Women: Treated With Cruelty in War Women: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To Women: Virtuous, Held in High Estimation Women: Wicked: Commits Forgery Women: Wicked: Full of Deceit and Licentiousness Women: Wicked: Silly and Wayward Women: Wicked: Zeal of, in Licentious Practices of Idolatry Women: Widow of Zarephath, Who Fed Elijah During the Famine Women: Worshiped in Separate Compartments Women: Zealous in Promoting Superstition and Idolatry Women: Zipporah, in Her Persecution of Moses on Account of his Religious Obligations Related Terms Women-servants (21 Occurrences) |
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