Queen of the South (biblical reference)


Queen of the South is an alternative title for the Queen of Sheba, used in two passages in the New Testament, where Jesus said:

Background

Occasionally, biblical translators have used the phrase "a Queen of the South", the Greek having no article, but this has been criticized as incorrect. The Bible itself did not directly reference Queen Sheba as the Queen of the South or that she came from the south. However, she was described in Genesis 10 to have lived in the southern area of the Arabian peninsula, hence, the "South" attribution. An account also cited that the "Queen of the South" was a reference to a queen of Egypt because the term "king of the South" was recognized as a biblical term for the Egyptian monarch. There are also claims that the term south refers to Ethiopia.

Biblical references

The arrival of the Queen of Sheba occurs in 1 Kings 10. The Queen had heard about Solomon’s fame and his relationship with the Lord, so she came to Solomon with a list of deep questions. According to the scriptural account, Solomon answered all her questions. The Queen believed as she received answers while face-to-face with Solomon.
In the New Testament passages, Jesus refers to the Queen's arrival, saying that even she, being skeptical until she met with Solomon personally, will condemn the current generation for their lack of faith.