The Queen Of Sheba

Page 3 of 7

• 1. Layers of the legend
• 2. Jewish legend
• 3. Unpicking the clues
• 4. Islamic tradition
• 5. Ethiopian tradition
• 6. An enigma
• 7. Find out more
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Unpicking the clues

There are in fact several people called Sheba in the Bible, one is a descendant of Noah's son Shem, and another of his son Ham. But it is also referred to as a place. The Book of Ezekiel (27 v.22-24) tells us that the merchants trading with Tyre came from Sheba and Raamah, and brought with them spices, precious stones and gold - the exact same goods that the Queen of Sheba brought with her when she came to visit Solomon in Jerusalem.

'And, though historic proof is lacking for the Queen of Sheba herself, there is plenty of textual evidence to support this great kingdom of Saba.'

But the most popular translation of the Hebrew word 'Sheba' is the Arabic 'Saba' - referring to a great kingdom, the Sabaean kingdom, in what is today Yemen. And, though historic proof is lacking for the Queen of Sheba herself, there is plenty of textual evidence to support this great kingdom of Saba. In Assyrian texts, kings by the name of 'Itamru' and 'Karib-ilu', have been associated with kings of Saba named 'Yitha'amars' and 'Karibil', in Yemeni texts

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Published: 03-02-2005