Where is Sheba in the Bible?
Sheba, also known as the South, was an ancient kingdom located in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, in modern-day Yemen. It was renowned for its wealth, derived from its control of the spice and incense trade routes. Sheba appears in 21 verses across 8 books of the Bible.
The Bible uses the name Sheba for 2 different places. All 2 are below, each with its own passages.
Sheba in 2 Chronicles
Sheba, also known as the South, was an ancient kingdom located in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, in modern-day Yemen. It was renowned for its wealth, derived from its control of the spice and incense trade routes. The Bible mentions Sheba in connection with its trade in gold, spices, precious stones, and incense (1Ki. 10:2, 10; 2Chr. 9:1, 9; Ps. 72:15; Isa. 60:6; Jer. 6:20; Ezek. 27:22). The most famous biblical account involving Sheba is the visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon (1Ki. 10:1-13; 2Chr. 9:1-12). Intrigued by reports of Solomon's wisdom and prosperity, the queen journeyed to Jerusalem with a great caravan, bearing gifts of gold, spices, and precious stones. She tested Solomon with hard questions and was impressed by his wisdom and the splendor of his court. The queen praised Solomon and his God, acknowledging the divine source of his wisdom and success. Sheba is also mentioned in prophetic and poetic texts, often as a symbol of distant and exotic lands (Ps. 72:10; Isa. 60:6; Ezek. 38:13). In the New Testament, Jesus refers to the Queen of the South (Sheba) as one who will rise up in judgment against those who reject His message, emphasizing her recognition of wisdom and truth (Luke 11:31). The kingdom of Sheba played a significant role in the trade networks of the ancient Near East, and its mention in the Bible attests to its fame and influence during the biblical period.
Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.
Compiled by Protos: the verse list on this page. Where one name belongs to more than one person or place, each of them gets a separate entry.
Sheba in 2 Samuel
Sheba, mentioned in 2Samuel 20, was a Benjamite who led a rebellion against King David. After the quelling of Absalom's rebellion and David's return to Jerusalem, Sheba took advantage of the lingering tensions between Israel and Judah. He rallied the men of Israel to abandon David, proclaiming, "We have no share in David, no part in Jesse's son!" (2Sa.20.1). David, recognizing the threat posed by Sheba's rebellion, ordered his men, led by Joab and Abishai, to pursue Sheba. Sheba fled to the city of Abel-beth-maacah, where he sought refuge. Joab besieged the city, but a wise woman intervened and negotiated with him. She convinced the people of the city to behead Sheba and throw his head over the wall to Joab, thus ending the rebellion. The incident with Sheba highlights the fragile unity between Israel and Judah during David's reign and the challenges he faced in maintaining control over the kingdom. It also demonstrates the importance of wise counsel and the role of negotiation in resolving conflicts.
6 verses: 2 Samuel 20:1, 2 Samuel 20:2, 2 Samuel 20:6, 2 Samuel 20:13, 2 Samuel 20:21, 2 Samuel 20:22
Definition text: STEPBible · Tyndale House Cambridge. Licensed CC BY 4.0. Lightly edited for length and formatting.
Where does Sheba appear in the Bible?
Sheba is referenced in 21 verses across 8 books. Every passage below is about this one, not just every verse the word turns up in.
- 1 Kings 10:1
- 1 Kings 10:10
- 1 Kings 10:13
- 2 Chronicles 9:1
- 2 Chronicles 9:3
- 2 Chronicles 9:9
- 2 Chronicles 9:12
- Ezekiel 27:22
- Ezekiel 27:23
- Ezekiel 38:13
- Isaiah 60:6
- Jeremiah 6:20
- Job 6:19
- Psalms 72:10
- Psalms 72:15
Showing the first 15 of 21.
Open all 21 references in ProtosWhat else appears in these passages?
These turn up in the same passages as Sheba.
Common questions
How many people in the Bible are called Sheba?
Sheba refers to 2 different places in the Bible: Sheba in 2 Chronicles; Sheba in 2 Samuel.
How many times does the Bible mention Sheba?
Sheba appears in 21 verses across 8 books, most often in 2 Samuel, which accounts for 6 of them.
Which books of the Bible mention Sheba?
2 Samuel, 2 Chronicles, 1 Kings, Ezekiel, Psalms, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Job.
Where can I read every verse about Sheba?
This page lists 15 of them. Protos carries all 21, and opens this entry on the verse you are reading rather than in a separate tab.
