Lexical Definition

‎שְׁבָא‎ Shᵉbâʼ (sheb-aw') Sheba ^N:N-M-P
of foreign origin

Sheba, Sabeans.

• § Sheba = "seven" or "an oath"
• Sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an Ethiopian district

n pr m
1) son of Joktan and a descendant of Seth
2) son of Raamah, grandson of Cush, and a descendant of Ham
3) son of Jokshan, the son of Abraham by Keturah
n pr loc
4) a nation in southern Arabia

Extended Information

• a nation in southern Arabia

Brown-Driver-Briggs

‎שְׁבָא‎ proper name, of a people and territory Shebâ, in southwest Arabia (Sabean ‎סבא‎ DHM^{ZMG xxxvii (1883), 9}, ‎סבא‎ verb = make campaign Mordt^{HI 72} or expedition SabDenkm^{No.12, 1. 5, 14}; compare DSMargoliouth^{Hast DB SHEBA} FB^{Ency.Bib. SHEBA and reff}); — Sheba: ‎׳‎‎מַלְכַּתשֿׁ‎ 1Kgs 10:1; 1Kgs 10:4; 1Kgs 10:10; 1Kgs 10:13.= 2Chr 9:1; 2Chr 9:3; 2Chr 9:9; 2Chr 9:12 ‎׳‎‎מַלְכֵי שׁ‎ Ps 72:10 famous for trade, ‎׳‎‎רֹכְלֵי שׁ‎ Ezek 27:22; Ezek 27:23, ‎׳‎‎הֲלִיכֹת שׁ‎ Job 6:19 (|| ‎תֵּמָא‎); yielding costly wares Ezek 38:13,‎׳‎‎זְהַב שׁ‎ Ps 72:15, ‎׳‎‎לְבוֺנָה מִשּׁ‎ Jer 6:20 (|| ‎מֵאֶרֶץ מֶרְחָק‎, compare following), paying homage and tribute to Israel in future Isa 60:6 descended from (Yoktan and) Shem Gen 10:28 (J) = 1Chr 1:22, from (Yokshan and) Abraham and Ketûrâh Gen 25:3 (J ?) = 1Chr 1:32 (i.e. a northern branch of Sheba, + ‎דְּדָן‎, q. v.), but from ‎כּוּשׁ‎ Gen 10:7 (P) = 1Chr 1:9 marauders, North Arabia, Job 1:15

Brown-Driver-Briggs References

Profile

Sheba • Kingdom known for wealth, trade, and the Queen of Sheba

Sheba, also referred to as the South, was a kingdom known for its wealth, trade, and the visit of its queen to King Solomon (1 Ki. 10:1-13; 2 Chr. 9:1-12; Ps. 72:10, 15; Isa. 60:6; Jer. 6:20; Ezek. 27:22-23; 38:13; Luke 11:31).

• A location first mentioned at 1Ki.10.1;
• referred to as Sheba שְׁבָא, or South νότος.
  

Sheba, also known as the South, was an ancient kingdom located in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, in modern-day Yemen. It was renowned for its wealth, derived from its control of the spice and incense trade routes. The Bible mentions Sheba in connection with its trade in gold, spices, precious stones, and incense (1 Ki. 10:2, 10; 2 Chr. 9:1, 9; Ps. 72:15; Isa. 60:6; Jer. 6:20; Ezek. 27:22).

The most famous biblical account involving Sheba is the visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon (1 Ki. 10:1-13; 2 Chr. 9:1-12). Intrigued by reports of Solomon's wisdom and prosperity, the queen journeyed to Jerusalem with a great caravan, bearing gifts of gold, spices, and precious stones. She tested Solomon with hard questions and was impressed by his wisdom and the splendor of his court. The queen praised Solomon and his God, acknowledging the divine source of his wisdom and success.

Sheba is also mentioned in prophetic and poetic texts, often as a symbol of distant and exotic lands (Ps. 72:10; Isa. 60:6; Ezek. 38:13). In the New Testament, Jesus refers to the Queen of the South (Sheba) as one who will rise up in judgment against those who reject His message, emphasizing her recognition of wisdom and truth (Luke 11:31).

The kingdom of Sheba played a significant role in the trade networks of the ancient Near East, and its mention in the Bible attests to its fame and influence during the biblical period.

All entries for Sheba or South: שְׁבָא ☩ νότος