Sheba
A wealthy kingdom of southern Arabia, grown rich on the incense and spice trade. Its queen travelled to Jerusalem to test Solomon with hard questions and was overwhelmed by what she found; Jesus later invoked her as a witness against his own generation (1 Kings 10:1-13; Matthew 12:42).
Where in scripture
[1] When the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning Yahweh’s name, she came to test him with hard questions. [2] She came to Jerusalem with a very great caravan, with camels that bore spices, very much gold, and precious stones; and when she had come to Solomon, she talked with him about all that was in her heart. [3] Solomon answered all her questions. There was not anything hidden from the king which he didn’t tell her. [4] When the queen of Sheba had seen all the wisdom of Solomon, the house that he had built, [5] the food of his table, the sitting of his servants, the attendance of his officials, their clothing, his cup bearers, and his ascent by which he went up to Yahweh’s house; there was no more spirit in her. …
1 Kings 10:1–13 — opening verses — cited in the description of Sheba
The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here.
Matthew 12:42 — cited in the description of Sheba
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
On these journeys
- The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon — Queen of Sheba
