Queen of Sheba

The Queen of Sheba is a legendary and possibly historical royal figure who appears in the Hebrew Bible, the Qur'an, and later Ethiopian traditions.

The Queen of Sheba is a legendary and possibly historical royal figure who appears in the Hebrew Bible, the Qur'an, and later Ethiopian traditions. She is best known for visiting King Solomon of Israel, bringing gifts and testing his wisdom. Her historical identity, kingdom, and even personal name remain uncertain.

Biblical and religious accounts

The Queen of Sheba first appears in the Hebrew Bible in accounts of Solomon's reign. The narrative describes her arriving with gifts such as gold, spices, and precious stones. Her story was later expanded in Jewish, Christian, Islamic, and Ethiopian writings. Islamic tradition identifies her as Bilqis; Ethiopian tradition as Makeda.

Historical identity

Her exact historical identity is uncertain. Her kingdom has been associated with Saba in southwestern Arabia or with regions linked to Ethiopia. Scholars note that there is no direct archaeological evidence confirming her existence, and sources differ on whether she was a real monarch, a literary figure, or both.

Ethiopian tradition

In Ethiopian tradition, she is known as Makeda and is connected to the Kebra Nagast. This text presents her as an ancestor of Ethiopia's Solomonic dynasty through her son Menelik I.

Legacy in literature and culture

The Queen of Sheba has been a major figure in religious commentary, art, folklore, and later literature across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Her story often symbolizes wisdom, wealth, power, and international exchange. In Canada, she is studied in universities and appears in media and public broadcasting as part of biblical, Islamic, and African historical traditions.