The mysterious Queen of Sheb
The historical figure of the Queen of Sheba, also known as Bilqis or the Kingdom of Saba in Arabic and Hebrew, has captured the imagination of scholars and storytellers alike. Although her story is mentioned in religious texts such as the Bible and the Qur’an, her exact identity remains a mystery. Her story was mentioned in the Qur’an without her name being explicitly mentioned. According to accounts, Queen Bilqis visited King Solomon, leading to an encounter that inspired many interpretations and adaptations in literature and cinema.
Reveal the queen's world
Scholars and archaeologists have debated the location of the Queen of Sheba's kingdom, as many civilizations have claimed it as hers. However, modern archaeological research conclusively points to Yemen as the likely homeland of the legendary queen. While direct evidence of its existence remains elusive, the presence of gemstones and artifacts at ancient Yemeni sites supports the idea that its kingdom was rich in these resources.
The meeting with King Solomon
In Jewish tradition, the meeting of the Queen of Sheba with King Solomon is considered a story of wisdom and greatness. According to the Old Testament, she traveled to Jerusalem in a wonderful caravan carrying gifts of perfume, gold, and precious stones. When she saw Solomon's wisdom, wealth, and divine blessings, she recognized the truth of the rumors she had heard and glorified the God of Israel. Suleiman in turn blessed her with treasures, including rare items such as sandalwood and precious stones, highlighting the richness of her kingdom.
Inheritance and adaptations
Over the centuries, the mysterious Queen of Sheba has inspired numerous works of literature, films and artistic interpretations. Writers and filmmakers have woven elaborate narratives around her encounter with King Solomon, delving into worlds of romance, intrigue, and political maneuvering. Despite the lack of concrete historical evidence, her story continues to captivate audiences around the world, adding to the enduring appeal of this enigmatic queen.
The Queen of Sheba and King Solomon: A Story of Wisdom and Mysteries
There is no explicit mention in the religious texts of the Bible and the Qur’an of a relationship between King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. However, in Jewish tradition, the story is detailed in commentaries on the Midrashim and Talmud. According to these interpretations, the queen, fascinated by Solomon's famous wisdom, traveled to test his intelligence with difficult riddles.
Upon her arrival, the Queen interrogated Solomon, asking him a series of mysterious questions. Among her questions were the secrets of life and childbirth, which Solomon answered intelligently, revealing his deep understanding of the natural world. Undeterred, the Queen asked more puzzling questions, including one about a living being that remains motionless until it is beheaded. Solomon's answer, a ship sailing at sea, was evidence of his intellectual acumen.
To further challenge Suleiman, the queen brought young children dressed in uniforms, and asked him to distinguish between boys and girls without searching them directly. Solomon cleverly used the place of nuts and grains to convince the queen of his wisdom. The queen's constant interrogation continued, and Solomon succeeded in unraveling every riddle, dazzling her with his wisdom.
As the story goes, the Queen of Sheba was not only searching for answers to mysteries, but was ultimately convinced of Solomon's divine wisdom and the power of his God. She appreciated the greatness of the God of Israel, and realized the depth of Solomon's knowledge and understanding. This tale, although spun by later theologians, has remained a testament to the wisdom of King Solomon and the mystical appeal of the Queen of Sheba.
The Jewish account of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon
In Jewish tradition, the story of the Queen of Sheba's encounter with King Solomon bears similarities to the Islamic narrative but also presents unique elements. According to Jewish texts, including the Yalkut Shimoni and the writings of Yemenite Jews, the story unfolds in three parts:
1. Solomon’s message to the queen via the hoopoe:** Solomon sends a message to the Queen of Sheba via the hoopoe, a messenger known for loyalty and intelligence.
2. The Queen’s visit to Solomon and her stay in his palace:** The Queen arrives at Solomon’s court and stays in his palace, where they discuss, debate, and challenge.
3. Speculation and interpretations regarding the nature of the queen: ** Various comments and speculations abound about the identity and nature of the Queen of Sheba.
In this version, Solomon learned of the wealth and beauty of the queen's kingdom, so he sent a hoopoe to deliver a message to her. The queen, fascinated by the message, travels to Solomon's court with her entourage. She brings wonderful gifts and valuables, showing the prosperity of her kingdom. Upon her arrival, Solomon asked her about the nature of her kingdom and its people. The queen, impressed by Solomon's wisdom and understanding, recognized his greatness.
A special aspect unique to this version is that the queen arrives on a ship instead of a camel as mentioned in the Torah. In addition, the story emphasizes the queen's intelligence and prudence, making her an equal participant in intellectual discourse with Solomon.
Furthermore, the queen's mysterious nature and her connection to supernatural beings, such as jinn and spirits, are highlighted in this novel. Her arrival was accompanied by supernatural events, adding an aura of mystery to her character.
In this Jewish rendition, the story serves as a testament to the wisdom of Solomon and the intelligence of the queen, elevating her to a position of respect and equality in her interactions with the famous king.
Queen of Sheba in Christian tradition
In Christian tradition, the Queen of Sheba is mentioned in the New Testament as "Queen of the South" or "Queen of the Countries of the South." The reference appears in the Gospel of Matthew where Jesus compares himself to Solomon:
“The Queen of the South will rise up in religion with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now a greater than Solomon is here.”
In this context, the Queen of Sheba symbolizes judgment on those who reject Jesus, considering that she traveled from a distant land to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and Christ in Christian belief is greater than Solomon. The term "Queen of the South" is used by Jews to refer to the Jews of Yemen. Saint Jerome explained that the condemnation was not a divine condemnation, meaning that the Queen of Sheba possessed a divine quality. Rather, this was a shame for the Jews who witnessed Christ and did not believe in him, despite the Queen of Sheba’s recognition of the wisdom of Solomon.
In the Golden Legend, a collection of medieval hagiographies, it is mentioned that the queen knelt before a parapet made of the wood of the forbidden tree, knowing that Christ would be crucified on it. She did not step on the wooden barrier, but chose to walk on the water instead. Solomon was astonished by her actions, and after a thousand years, the wooden barrier, which was made of the same wood that was used in the crucifixion of Christ, was discovered buried underground.
In the Age of Enlightenment, Giovanni Boccaccio relied on the writings of the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, who lived in the first century AD. Boccaccio referred to the Queen of Sheba as Nicola, describing her as the queen of Egypt and Ethiopia in his book "De muleribus claris" (The Famous Women). However, Josephus's writings were known for confusion and lack of clarity. Boccaccio's accounts were based on Ethiopian folklore, and his descriptions did not match archaeological finds. Archaeologist William Osborne noted this discrepancy, but also highlighted that Boccaccio referred to her as the queen of Egypt, Ethiopia and the Arabian Peninsula. These historians relied mainly on the Old Testament in their writings about it.
Queen of Sheba in Islamic tradition
In Islamic tradition, the story of the Queen of Sheba, known as Bilqis in Arabic, is also mentioned in the Holy Quran. The narrative in the Qur’an is similar to the narrative in the Bible but with some differences in emphasis and details.
According to the Qur’an, Solomon (Solomon), the prophet and king, sent a message to the Queen of Sheba, calling on her and her people to worship the one true God and submit to his guidance. In response to the letter, the Queen sought advice from her council. They recommended a diplomatic approach and sent gifts to Suleiman, to test his wisdom and strength. But Solomon acknowledged the test and refused the gifts, declaring that God's blessings were far better than any material wealth.
The Queen of Sheba decided to visit Solomon to see his kingdom and evaluate his claims. Upon her arrival, Solomon asked his people who among them could bring him her throne before her arrival. The powerful jinn offered to do so almost immediately. However, Solomon wanted to test the queen's awareness. He hid her throne and asked her if she recognized him. She hesitated, but then through a series of events, including revealing her legs, she realized that it was indeed her throne. She confessed her previous disbelief, surrendered to God, and acknowledged the prophecy of Solomon and the truth of his message.
This story in the Qur’an emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and surrendering to God’s guidance, wisdom, and power that He granted to His prophets. It also highlights the Queen of Sheba's humility and acceptance of the truth when it was presented to her.
The Qur’anic narrative did not specify the geographical location of Sheba, making it open to interpretation. Over the centuries, various regions, including Yemen and Ethiopia, have been associated with historic Sheba. In Islamic tradition, the story is a lesson in faith, humility, and the importance of recognizing divine truth.
Bilqis and the Himyarites
The legend of Queen Bilqis, Queen of Sheba, and her interactions with the Himyarite King Amr Dhu al-Ashar. According to this story, Bilqis cleverly got rid of the unjust king by proposing marriage to him, and after she married him, she killed him and took control of her kingdom. Later, she sent a marriage proposal to King Solomon, which he accepted. Bilqis eventually converted to Islam and accepted Solomon's rule over her kingdom.
This story is part of Arab folklore and mythology, and its historical accuracy is controversial. There are different versions of the tale, and it is mentioned in various religious texts, including the Qur'an and the Bible, with different interpretations and details.
Balqis and Suleiman
The meeting between King Solomon and Queen Bilqis of Sheba. According to the story, Solomon's wisdom and strength were appreciated by many creatures, including the intelligent serpent of Najran. The serpent informed Bilqis of Solomon's divine mission, so she decided to test Solomon's knowledge. So she sent him gifts and posed a challenge to him, which Solomon answered successfully. Bilqis was moved and decided to visit Suleiman herself.
When she met Suleiman, Bilqis conducted a conversation with him, to further test his knowledge. She eventually accepted Solomon's authority, and her kingdom became part of Solomon's control.
It is important to note that this story is a mixture of mythology, folklore, and religious narratives, and is mentioned in both Islamic and Jewish traditions with differences in details. The tale reflects the wisdom and power attributed to King Solomon and the cunning and intelligence of Queen Bilqis.