Sheba שְׁבָא
Descendant of Joktan, settling in southern Arabia
Who is Sheba in the Bible?
Sheba was a descendant of Joktan, who was himself a son of Eber and a descendant of Shem, Noah's son (Genesis 10:28, 1 Chronicles 1:22). His name became associated with the ancient kingdom of Sheba in southern Arabia, located in what is now Yemen, which became renowned for its immense wealth and control of valuable trade routes. The Sabeans, the people of this kingdom, were famous throughout the ancient world for trading in spices, gold, and precious stones, making them one of the most prosperous and influential powers in the ancient Near Eastern economy. The mention of Sheba in the Table of Nations connects him to the early settlement and foundation of this significant Arabian kingdom, demonstrating how biblical genealogies preserved the memory of ancient peoples and their geographic expansion.
Biography
Sheba, mentioned in Gen.10.28 and 1Ch.1.22, was a descendant of Joktan, who was a descendant of Shem, one of Noah's sons. Joktan's descendants are associated with the peoples and tribes of southern Arabia. Sheba, in particular, is linked to the ancient kingdom of Sheba, located in the southern part of the Arabian Peninsula, in modern-day Yemen. The Sabeans, the inhabitants of Sheba, were renowned for their wealth, trade in spices, gold, and precious stones, and their influential position in the ancient Near Eastern trade network. The connection between Sheba, the descendant of Joktan, and the kingdom of Sheba suggests that the Joktanites may have been among the early settlers and founders of this prosperous kingdom. The mention of Sheba in the Table of Nations (Genesis 10) and the genealogy in 1 Chronicles highlights the spread and distribution of the descendants of Noah's sons after the Flood and their role in populating various regions of the ancient world.
Family
Parents
Siblings
- Almodad Early PatriarchSon of JoktanSon of Joktan, descendant of ShemView full profile →
- Sheleph Early PatriarchSon of JoktanSon of Joktan, descendant of ShemView full profile →
- Hazarmaveth Early PatriarchSon of JoktanA son of Joktan, descendant of Shem.View full profile →
- Jerah Early PatriarchSon of JoktanA son of Joktan, descendant of Shem.View full profile →
- Hadoram Early PatriarchSon of JoktanSon of Joktan, a descendant of Shem.View full profile →
- Uzal Early PatriarchSon of JoktanSon of Joktan, descendant of ShemView full profile →
- Diklah Early PatriarchSon of JoktanDescendant of Shem through JoktanView full profile →
- Obal Early PatriarchSon of JoktanSon of JoktanView full profile →
- Abimael Early PatriarchSon of JoktanDescendant of Shem, son of JoktanView full profile →
- Ophir Early PatriarchSon of JoktanSon of JoktanView full profile →
- Havilah Early PatriarchSon of JoktanA son of Joktan, descendant of Shem.View full profile →
- Jobab Tribe of BenjaminSaul's familyA son of Elpaal, descendant of BenjaminView full profile →
In Scripture
2 biblical books ; 1 with study contentGenesis 1 verse
- Genesis 10:28
"Obal, Abimael, Sheba,"
Study Genesis →
1 Chronicles 1 verse
- 1 Chronicles 1:22
"Obal, Abimael, Sheba,"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | שְׁבָא | Sheba , the name of three early progenitors of tribes and of an Ethiopian district |