Yemen in Biblical Context (Sheba)

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1. Introduction

The territory of modern-day Yemen, located at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, features prominently in the biblical world under the name Sheba. Yemen was historically home to the Sabaean Kingdom, a prosperous civilisation renowned for its wealth, spices, and trade networks. The Bible specifically associates Sheba with the famed Queen of Sheba, who visited King Solomon in Jerusalem (1 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 9). This article explores Yemen’s biblical identification, archaeological legacy, and theological significance within both Old and New Testament contexts.

2. Sheba: The Biblical Identity of Yemen

2.1 Queen of Sheba in the Old Testament

“And when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with hard questions.”
— 1 Kings 10:1

  • The Queen of Sheba is described as a monarch who travelled to Jerusalem, bearing spices, gold, and precious stones to test Solomon’s wisdom.
  • Her kingdom is widely associated with the Sabaean civilisation, based in modern-day Yemen, especially around Marib, the ancient capital.

2.2 Confirmation in the New Testament

“The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment… for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon.”
— Matthew 12:42

  • Jesus himself affirms the Queen of Sheba’s journey and uses her as a model of spiritual seeking and wisdom.
  • The phrase “ends of the earth” likely refers to the extreme southern Arabian region, confirming Sheba’s identity with present-day Yemen.

3. Historical and Geographical Context

3.1 The Sabaean Kingdom

  • The Sabaeans ruled a flourishing civilisation from roughly the 10th century BCE to the 3rd century CE.
  • Marib, Yemen’s ancient city, featured a monumental dam and vast irrigation systems.
  • The Sabaeans were known for:
    • Frankincense and myrrh trade
    • Temple architecture
    • Rich epigraphy (Sabaic inscriptions in Old South Arabian script)

3.2 Regional Trade Significance

  • Yemen was a major node in the Incense Route, connecting Arabia with Israel, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and the Indian Ocean.
  • The biblical story reflects a broader intercultural exchange—not just of goods, but also of wisdom and theology.

4. Archaeological and Epigraphic Evidence

4.1 Marib and Temples

  • Excavations in Marib reveal:
    • The Temple of Almaqah (moon god)
    • Inscriptions naming royal figures and religious offerings
  • While the Queen of Sheba herself remains unverified archaeologically, her cultural milieu is richly documented.

4.2 Sabaic Inscriptions

  • Numerous texts in the Sabaic language describe the activities of kings and merchants.
  • These inscriptions offer insight into:
    • Political organisation
    • Religious practices
    • Commercial exchanges, possibly including biblical regions

5. Theological and Missiological Implications

5.1 Seeking Wisdom and the Messianic Hope

  • The Queen of Sheba symbolises the gentile nations’ longing for divine truth.
  • Her recognition of Solomon’s God prefigures global homage to Israel’s Messiah, as Jesus indicates in Matthew 12:42.

5.2 Inclusion of Gentile Nations

  • Yemen’s biblical role supports the prophetic vision of all nations flowing to Zion (Isaiah 2:2–4).
  • The Queen’s story represents a foreshadowing of gentile inclusion into God’s covenantal promises.

6. Yemen in Post-Biblical and Christian Tradition

6.1 Early Christianity

  • Christianity reached southern Arabia by the 4th century CE, especially through:
    • Syrian merchants
    • Ethiopian Christian influence (from the Aksumite Kingdom)
  • Churches and inscriptions bearing Christian symbols have been found in Najran (then part of the wider Sabaean cultural sphere).

6.2 Martyrdom at Najran

  • In the 6th century CE, Christian communities in Najran were persecuted under a Jewish Himyarite king, an event remembered in early church literature and Islamic tradition.
  • This incident is linked to Revelation 6:9–11, according to some commentators, as a fulfilment of martyrs “under the altar.”

7. Conclusion

Modern-day Yemen, through its identity as ancient Sheba, occupies a notable place in biblical history. As the homeland of the Queen of Sheba, Yemen symbolises international reverence for divine wisdom, commercial prosperity, and early openness to the God of Israel. Archaeological discoveries from Marib and surrounding regions confirm the sophistication and religious vitality of the Sabaean civilisation. Theologically, Yemen’s biblical narrative points to the universal reach of God’s kingdom, embodied in the Queen’s pilgrimage and later, Christian witness in the Arabian Peninsula.

Key Takeaways

  • Yemen corresponds to biblical Sheba, known for its wealth and its queen’s journey to Solomon.
  • Sheba’s story affirms the spiritual potential of gentile nations.
  • The Sabaean kingdom was a historical and archaeological powerhouse in the biblical era.
  • Yemen was an early Christian frontier and site of martyrdom.
  • Its biblical legacy reinforces themes of wisdom, pilgrimage, and divine recognition.

References

  • 1 Kings 10; 2 Chronicles 9; Matthew 12:42
  • Beeston, A. F. L. (1984). South Arabian Inscriptions. Oxford University Press.
  • Groom, N. (1981). Frankincense and Myrrh: A Study of the Arabian Incense Trade. Longman.
  • Robin, C. J. (2000). “Arabia and the Bible.” In Near Eastern Archaeology, Vol. 63.
  • Munro-Hay, S. C. (1991). Aksum: An African Civilization of Late Antiquity. Edinburgh.
  • Yamauchi, E. M. (2004). Africa and the Bible. Baker Academic.
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