The term "queen-mother" refers to the mother of a reigning king in the biblical context, particularly within the monarchy of ancient Israel and Judah. The queen-mother held a significant and influential position in the royal court, often wielding considerable power and authority. This role is distinct from that of the queen consort, who is the wife of the king.

Biblical References and Role:

The concept of the queen-mother is most prominently seen in the books of Kings and Chronicles. One of the earliest and most notable mentions is Bathsheba, the mother of King Solomon. After Solomon ascended to the throne, Bathsheba's status as queen-mother is evident in her interactions with her son. In 1 Kings 2:19 , it is recorded: "So Bathsheba went to King Solomon to speak to him for Adonijah. The king stood up to greet her, bowed to her, sat down on his throne, and had a throne placed for the king’s mother, and she sat at his right hand."

The position of the queen-mother was not merely ceremonial. She often played a crucial role in political and dynastic affairs. The queen-mother could act as an advisor to the king and sometimes even as a regent if the king was too young or incapacitated. Her influence extended to matters of state, religion, and family.

Influence and Authority:

The queen-mother's influence is further illustrated in the reign of Asa, king of Judah. Asa's mother, Maacah, held the position of queen-mother, but due to her idolatry, Asa removed her from her position. 1 Kings 15:13 states: "He also removed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa cut down the pole and burned it in the Kidron Valley."

This action by Asa underscores the significant authority the queen-mother could wield, as well as the potential for her influence to be a source of either good or evil within the kingdom. The removal of Maacah highlights the king's responsibility to uphold the covenantal faithfulness to Yahweh, even against familial ties.

Symbolic and Theological Significance:

The role of the queen-mother also carries symbolic and theological significance. In the Davidic monarchy, the queen-mother's position can be seen as a type or foreshadowing of the elevated status of Mary, the mother of Jesus, in Christian theology. Just as the queen-mother sat at the right hand of the king, Mary is often depicted in Christian art and theology as being honored in a similar manner in the heavenly realm.

The queen-mother's role in the biblical narrative serves as a reminder of the importance of maternal influence and the potential for women to hold positions of power and responsibility within the framework of God's covenant people. Her presence in the royal court is a testament to the multifaceted nature of leadership and governance in ancient Israel and Judah.1377. gebirah -- lady, queen
... Word Origin fem. of gebir Definition lady, queen NASB Word Usage queen (1), queen
mother (5). queen. Feminine of gbiyr; a mistress -- queen. see HEBREW gbiyr. ...
/hebrew/1377.htm - 6k

The Calm Before the Storm
... The Queen Mother accordingly appointed Frumentius as the tutor of the young King,
and Governor of the State, while his brother AEdesius was given a less ...
//christianbookshelf.org/forbes/saint athanasius/chapter 4 the calm before.htm

Knox in Scotland: Lethington: Mary of Guise: 1555-1556
... rebukes of a friend," so much as both the nobles and the people now began to detest
their French allies, and were jealous of the Queen Mother's promotion of ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter vii knox in scotland .htm

Knox and Queen Mary (Continued): 1563-1564
... Lethington, in France, had told the Queen- Mother that the Spanish plan was only
intended to wring concessions from Elizabeth; and, on his return to England ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter xvi knox and queen.htm

Asa
... In short, she was the evil genius of the kingdom, like the Chinese Queen-mother
of our own times, although, happily, Asa possessed a force of character which ...
//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/asa.htm

Progress of Calvinism
... that in the main Paris University, then the great centre of intellectual life in
France, was thoroughly Catholic, and that the queen-mother, the chancellor of ...
/.../chapter iii progress of calvinism.htm

The Service Common to Two and Many Female Martyrs.
... I will open my mouth, and it shall be filled with breath, and I will break forth
in speech to the Queen Mother; yea I will appear as one keeping bright ...
/.../anonymous/the general menaion/chapter xxi the service common.htm

The Fall of the House of Ahab
... Jehoram of Israel, Ahaziah of Judah, and Jezebel the queen mother, with "all that
remained of the house of Ahab in Jezreel, and all his great men, and his ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 16 the fall of.htm

The Nations of the North-East
... For two generations in succession the queen-mother was a Mitannian princess, and
a king finally sat upon the Pharaohs' throne who attempted to supplant the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iv the nations of.htm

Ancestry, Birth, Education, Environment: 1513(?)-1546
... manners. In 1515 the chaplain of Margaret Tudor, the Queen Mother, writes
to one Adam Williamson: "You know the use of this country. ...
/.../lang/john knox and the reformation/chapter i ancestry birth education.htm

The Upbringing of Jewish Children
... of the book of Proverbs introduce the royal family of Massa as deeply imbued with
the spiritual religion of the Old Testament, and the queen-mother as training ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 7 the upbringing of.htm

Queen-mother (2 Occurrences)
Queen-mother. Queenly, Queen-mother. Queens . Multi-Version
Concordance Queen-mother (2 Occurrences). Jeremiah 13:18 ...
/q/queen-mother.htm - 7k

Mother (2641 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 13:18). See QUEEN; QUEENMOTHER. MOTHER. muth'-er ('em ... Job 1:21). Henry
E. Dosker. QUEENMOTHER. (gebhirah, literally, "mistress ...
/m/mother.htm - 17k

Queen (59 Occurrences)
... is called "the queen," but the Hebrew word so rendered (g'birah) is simply a title
of honour, denoting a royal lady, used sometimes for "queen-mother" (1 Kings ...
/q/queen.htm - 44k

Relationships (1 Occurrence)
... This was especially true of the queenmother (gebhirah), whose name is usually given
in the accounts of the kings of Judah (1 Kings 1:11; 1 Kings 2:19, where a ...
/r/relationships.htm - 38k

Queens (4 Occurrences)

/q/queens.htm - 7k

Queenly (1 Occurrence)

/q/queenly.htm - 6k

King's (375 Occurrences)
... and Nehushta (2 Kings 24:8 Jeremiah 13:18). See QUEEN; QUEENMOTHER. KING'S
POOL. berekhath hamelekh): This is possibly the Pool of ...
/k/king's.htm - 46k

Jeconiah (9 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 29:2 (after that Jeconiah the king, and the queenmother, and the eunuchs,
and the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the craftsmen, and the smiths ...
/j/jeconiah.htm - 9k

Thrones (19 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 13:18 Say to the king and to the queenmother, Humble yourselves, sit down;
for your headdresses have come down, even the crown of your glory. ...
/t/thrones.htm - 13k

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