Lexical Summary Sheba: Sheba Original Word: שְׁבָא Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Sheba, Sabeans Of foreign origin; Sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an Ethiopian district -- Sheba, Sabeans. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin Definition a territory in S.W. Arabia, also the name of one or more desc. of Noah NASB Translation Sabeans (1), Sheba (22). Brown-Driver-Briggs שְׁבָא proper name, of a people and territory Shebâ, in southwest Arabia (Sabean סבא DHMZMG xxxvii (1883), 9, סבא verb = make campaign MordtHI 72 or expedition SabDenkmNo.12, 1. 5, 14; compare DSMargoliouthHast DB SHEBA FBEncy.Bib. SHEBA and reff); — Sheba: ׳מַלְכַּתשֿׁ 1 Kings 10:1,4,10,13.= 2Chron 9:1; 9:3; 9:9; 9:12; ׳מַלְכֵי שׁ Psalm 72:10; famous for trade, ׳רֹכְלֵי שׁ Ezekiel 27:22,23, ׳הֲלִיכֹת שׁ Job 6:19 ("" תֵּמָא); yielding costly wares Ezekiel 38:13,׳זְהַב שׁ Psalm 72:15, ׳לְבוֺנָה מִשּׁ Jeremiah 6:20 ("" מֵאֶרֶץ מֶרְחָק, compare following), paying homage and tribute to Israel in future Isaiah 60:6; descended from (Yoktan and) Shem Genesis 10:28 (J) = 1 Chronicles 1:22, from (Yokshan and) Abraham and Ketûrâh Genesis 25:3 (J ?) = 1 Chronicles 1:32 (i.e. a northern branch of Sheba, + דְּדָן, q. v.), but from כּוּשׁ Genesis 10:7 (P) = 1 Chronicles 1:9; marauders, North Arabia, Job 1:15 Topical Lexicon Identity and Scope of ShebaSheba designates both persons and the southern Arabian realm they founded. Scripture presents the name in three family lines (Genesis 10:7; Genesis 10:28; Genesis 25:3), yet each branch ultimately points to the commercially rich Sabaean kingdom that flourished in the area of modern-day Yemen and north-west Arabia. The biblical record traces the movement of these descendants from early post-Flood migrations to a thriving civilization known for gold, spices, and frankincense. Genealogical Lines 1. Cushite Line – Sheba, son of Raamah (Genesis 10:7; 1 Chronicles 1:9). The convergence of these strands explains why the prophets can speak of “Sheba” as a single caravan-trading nation, even though the roots of the people are multi-ethnic within the broader Semitic and Hamitic families. Geographical and Cultural Context Archaeology identifies the biblical Sheba with the Sabaeans of South Arabia, whose capital was Marib. Fertile highlands, control of incense routes, and seaports on the Red Sea positioned the nation as a linchpin in the movement of luxury goods between Africa, India, and the Mediterranean world. This background illumines the biblical emphasis on Sheba’s wealth: • “gold from Sheba” (Psalm 72:15) Sheba and Solomon: A Paradigm of Gentile Homage The Queen of Sheba’s visit (1 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 9) embodies Gentile attraction to divine wisdom mediated through Israel’s king. “When the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon in connection with the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions” (1 Kings 10:1). She arrived with “a very great caravan—with camels bearing spices, large quantities of gold, and precious stones” (1 Kings 10:2), and she left confessing, “Blessed be the LORD your God” (1 Kings 10:9). Her homage prefigures global recognition of the Messianic King (Psalm 72:10-11). Sheba in Wisdom Literature Job illustrates two contrasting faces of Sheba: • Violence: “the Sabeans swooped down and took them away” (Job 1:15). These passages reveal that the same people famed for trade could also employ force to secure riches, a stark reminder of the human heart’s capacity for both industry and iniquity. Sheba in the Prophets: Commerce, Judgment, and Future Glory Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel cite Sheba to reinforce distinct themes. • Wealth for Zion: “All from Sheba will come, bearing gold and frankincense and proclaiming the praise of the LORD” (Isaiah 60:6). Together these texts affirm God’s sovereignty over international economics and His intent to redirect the treasures of the nations to the praise of His name. Messianic and Typological Import Psalm 72 links Sheba’s tribute directly to the reign of the ideal Davidic King: “May the kings of Sheba and Seba offer gifts” (Psalm 72:10). Matthew 12:42 and Luke 11:31 identify the “Queen of the South” as a witness who will rise in judgment against unbelief, because she traveled far to hear Solomon’s wisdom, “and now One greater than Solomon is here.” Thus Sheba functions typologically: 1. Present pledge of future Gentile worship. The Magi’s gifts of gold and frankincense to the infant Christ echo Isaiah 60:6, reinforcing the link between Sheba’s ancient trade goods and Messianic devotion. Ministry Lessons • Stewardship of Resources – Sheba’s wealth is portrayed as legitimate yet accountable to God; material abundance should flow into worship and kingdom purposes. Selected Scripture Index Genesis 10:7; Genesis 10:28; Genesis 25:3 Ezekiel 27:22-23; Ezekiel 38:13 Forms and Transliterations בא לִקְצֹ֑ר לקצר מִשְּׁבָ֣א משבא שְׁ֝בָ֗א שְׁ֫בָ֥א שְׁבָ֑א שְׁבָ֔א שְׁבָ֖א שְׁבָ֗א שְׁבָ֡א שְׁבָ֥א שְׁבָֽא׃ שְׁבָא֙ שבא שבא׃ ḇā likTzor liq·ṣōr liqṣōr miš·šə·ḇā mishsheVa miššəḇā šə·ḇā šəḇā sheVa VaLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Genesis 10:7 HEB: וּבְנֵ֥י רַעְמָ֖ה שְׁבָ֥א וּדְדָֽן׃ NAS: of Raamah [were] Sheba and Dedan. KJV: of Raamah; Sheba, and Dedan. INT: and the sons of Raamah Sheba and Dedan Genesis 10:28 Genesis 25:3 Leviticus 19:9 1 Kings 10:1 1 Kings 10:4 1 Kings 10:10 1 Kings 10:13 1 Chronicles 1:9 1 Chronicles 1:22 1 Chronicles 1:32 2 Chronicles 9:1 2 Chronicles 9:3 2 Chronicles 9:9 2 Chronicles 9:12 Job 1:15 Job 6:19 Psalm 72:10 Psalm 72:15 Isaiah 60:6 Jeremiah 6:20 Ezekiel 27:22 Ezekiel 27:23 Ezekiel 38:13 24 Occurrences |
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