Lexical Summary
Sheba: Sheba
Original Word:שְׁבָא
Part of Speech:proper name, of a people and territory
Transliteration:Shba'
Pronunciation:sheh-BAH
Phonetic Spelling:(sheb-aw')
KJV: Sheba, Sabeans
NASB:Sheba, Sabeans
Word Origin:[of foreign origin]
1. Sheba, the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an Ethiopian district
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
Definitiona territory in S.W. Arabia, also the name of one or more desc. of Noah
NASB TranslationSabeans (1), Sheba (22).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
, in southwest Arabia (Sabean DHM
ZMG xxxvii (1883), 9, 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:1 Kings 10:1,4,10,13.= 2Chron 9:1; 9:3; 9:9; 9:12;
Psalm 72:10; famous for trade,
Ezekiel 27:22,23,
Job 6:19 ("" ); yielding costly wares
Ezekiel 38:13,
Psalm 72:15,
Jeremiah 6:20 ("" , 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, + , q. v.), but from
Genesis 10:7 (P) =
1 Chronicles 1:9; marauders, North Arabia,
Job 1:15Topical 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).
2. Joktanite Line – Sheba, son of Joktan of the line of Eber (Genesis 10:28;1 Chronicles 1:22).
3. Abrahamic Line – Sheba, grandson of Abraham through Jokshan (Genesis 25:3;1 Chronicles 1:32).
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)
• “frankincense from Sheba” (Jeremiah 6:20)
• “spices, precious stones, and gold” (Ezekiel 27:22)
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).
• Commerce: “the caravans of Sheba wait in hope” (Job 6:19).
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).
• Empty Religion: “What use to Me is frankincense from Sheba…? Your burnt offerings are not acceptable” (Jeremiah 6:20).
• Marketplace of Tyre: “The merchants of Sheba and Raamah traded with you” (Ezekiel 27:22).
• End-time Inquiry: “Sheba and Dedan… will say, ‘Have you come to plunder?’” (Ezekiel 38:13).
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 andLuke 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.
2. Prototype of seekers who honor God-given wisdom.
3. Foretaste ofRevelation 21:24, where the nations bring their glory into the New Jerusalem.
The Magi’s gifts of gold and frankincense to the infant Christ echoIsaiah 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.
• Pursuit of Wisdom – The queen’s arduous journey challenges believers to value divine wisdom above comfort or distance.
• Mission to the Nations – God’s redemptive plan consistently encompasses Gentile peoples; the church must welcome and disciple modern “Shebans” who come seeking truth.
• Authentic Worship –Jeremiah 6:20 warns that costly offerings are void without obedience; heartfelt righteousness outweighs spectacular gifts.
Selected Scripture Index
Genesis 10:7;Genesis 10:28;Genesis 25:3
1 Kings 10:1-13
2 Chronicles 9:1-12
Job 1:15;Job 6:19
Psalm 72:10, 15
Isaiah 60:6
Jeremiah 6:20
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 Va
Links
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Interlinear Hebrew •
Strong's Numbers •
Englishman's Greek Concordance •
Englishman's Hebrew Concordance •
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