Queen of Sheba
Gentile Sheba · United Kingdom · Old Testament
- Also called
- Queen of the south
- Role
- Foreign queen who visited Solomon
- When
- c. 950 BC (reign of Solomon, traditional)
What they did
Heard of Solomon's fame concerning the name of the LORD and came to prove him with hard questions. She was overwhelmed by his wisdom, blessed the LORD his God, and gave him great gifts.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
She came from the ends of the earth to hear wisdom, and Jesus held her up as an example of a Gentile who sought truth (Matthew 12:42).
Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice. 1 Kings 10:9 (KJV)
Bible references
And 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. 1 Kings 10:1 (KJV)
Blessed be the LORD thy God, which delighted in thee, to set thee on the throne of Israel: because the LORD loved Israel for ever, therefore made he thee king, to do judgment and justice. 1 Kings 10:9 (KJV)
And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. 2 Chronicles 9:1 (KJV)
The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here. Matthew 12:42 (KJV)
Family
Scripture records little about this person's family.