Podcast Summary: The Queen of Sheba
The Ancients
Host: Tristan Hughes
Guest: Dr. Gillian Stinchcomb, Towson University
Release Date: July 13, 2025

Introduction

In this enlightening episode of The Ancients, host Tristan Hughes welcomes Dr. Gillian Stinchcomb, a respected historian from Towson University, to delve deep into the enigmatic figure of the Queen of Sheba. The discussion spans from her biblical origins to her evolving portrayal across various religious and cultural traditions over millennia.

The Queen of Sheba in the Old Testament

Biblical Narratives: The Queen of Sheba is prominently featured in the Hebrew Bible, specifically in the Book of Kings (1 Kings 10:1-13) and the Second Book of Chronicles (2 Chronicles 9:1-12). Dr. Stinchcomb explains that both accounts are remarkably similar, despite being penned centuries apart.

"Solomon exchanged gifts and then she goes back home. So it's a very discreet episode of her coming, hearing reports of him and then coming, acting to visit him and seeing."
— Dr. Gillian Stinchcomb ([07:49])

Historical Context: The stories of Solomon and the Queen of Sheba were documented in Hebrew prose that emerged around the 8th to 9th century BCE, well after Solomon's purported reign in the 10th century BCE. These narratives are considered "memories of that point in the past," providing a legendary rather than strictly historical account.

"It's written in the historical mode, of course, but it's not history in the same way that sort of modern history is built with evidence and stuff."
— Dr. Gillian Stinchcomb ([07:37])

Historical Basis and Geographic Origins

Potential Realities: While there is no contemporaneous evidence of the Queen of Sheba's existence, Dr. Stinchcomb posits that her portrayal aligns with historical trade practices in southern Arabia and Ethiopia. Two primary locations emerge as her possible origin points:

• Saba (Modern-day Yemen): Site of the ancient Kingdom of Sheba, featuring the Mahram Bilkis Temple.
• Axum (Modern-day Ethiopia): Linked to the Axumite Empire, which claims descent from the Queen.

"Southern Arabia there was a spice trade going from there up to Babylonia and other regions from, I think records go back into the third millennium BCE."
— Dr. Gillian Stinchcomb ([18:31])

Cultural Significance: Both Yemen and Ethiopia lay claim to the Queen of Sheba as an ancestor, reflecting the historical interconnectedness and shared trade networks of the ancient world.

The Queen of Sheba in the New Testament and Early Traditions

New Testament References: The Queen of Sheba is briefly mentioned in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, portrayed as a judge in the end times who tested Solomon's wisdom. These references indicate her continued recognition but lack substantial narrative development.

"She comes to Jerusalem from the south because that is where the spices come from."
— Dr. Gillian Stinchcomb ([21:32])

Early Church Fathers: Origen of Alexandria, a third-century church father, interprets the Song of Songs allegorically, identifying the female speaker as the Queen of Sheba. This association introduces a romantic dimension to her character, laying the groundwork for later traditions.

"For Origen, this matters because he understands the Queen of Sheba to be the female speaker."
— Dr. Gillian Stinchcomb ([29:03])

The Quranic Depiction of the Queen of Sheba

Quranic Storyline: In the 27th Surah of the Quran, the Queen of Sheba (Bilqis) interacts with Solomon through supernatural means. The narrative introduces elements such as:

• Djinn and Magic: Solomon controls djinn who attempt to deceive the queen.
• Mistaken Identities: Bilqis mistakes a crystal floor for water, leading to her conversion to the worship of one God.

"She steps into the court and she thinks the glass floor is water. And she lifts up her skirts, revealing her legs. And Solomon says, what are you doing?"
— Dr. Gillian Stinchcomb ([40:00])

Cultural Impact: This rendition transforms her role from a mere tester of wisdom to a symbol of conversion and submission to monotheism, reflecting the theological shifts of the time.

Medieval Developments and Diversification of Her Legacy

Ethiopian Traditions: The Kebra Nagast, a 13th-century Ethiopian text, asserts that the Queen of Sheba bore Solomon a son, Menelik I, establishing the Solomonic dynasty lineage. This narrative solidifies her importance in Ethiopian royal legitimacy and religious identity.

"The translation occurs in the 13th century. And that is definitely the basis of the claims made by the Solomonic house, including and especially Haile Selassie."
— Dr. Gillian Stinchcomb ([50:04])

Varied Legends Across Cultures: Different traditions embellish her story with unique elements:

• Muslim Legends: Al-Tabari introduces motifs of deceptive djinn and physical deformities.
• Christian Traditions: Stories about her acquiring miraculous cures or having animalistic features highlight her as both a figure of admiration and mockery.

"There is this idea, note there that her being an animal by having, like, sort of hairy manish legs under her skirts and then her having a physical disability actually are all sort of tied together there."
— Dr. Gillian Stinchcomb ([53:32])

Symbolic Ambiguity: The Queen of Sheba embodies dual roles—affirming Solomon's greatness while also representing female authority outside of Israel. This ambiguity fosters a multiplicity of interpretations and adaptations throughout history.

"She both affirms Solomon's greatness... but also stands as a symbol of a woman, a female authority figure outside of Israel."
— Dr. Gillian Stinchcomb ([54:12])

Conclusion

Dr. Gillian Stinchcomb's comprehensive exploration reveals that the Queen of Sheba's enduring legacy lies in her multifaceted portrayal across various cultures and eras. Her story serves as a bridge between historical trade networks, religious narratives, and cultural identities, maintaining her status as a household name centuries after her original mention.

"The Queen of Sheba, her story is marked by these loud silences all around. We don't know where she's from. We don't know the questions that she asked Solomon."
— Dr. Gillian Stinchcomb ([54:12])

Notable Quotes

• Affirmation of Solomon's Greatness:

  "She just basically showed up at his house with a bunch of gifts, like a good house guest, actually." ([08:23], Tristan)

• On Historical Evidence:

  "We don't have contemporaneous evidence of the Queen of Sheba, but we also don't have contemporaneous evidence of Solomon either." ([16:33], Dr. Stinchcomb)

• Allegorical Interpretations:

  "For Origen, this matters because he understands the Queen of Sheba to be the female speaker." ([29:03], Dr. Stinchcomb)

Closing Remarks

Tristan Hughes wraps up the episode by expressing his appreciation for Dr. Stinchcomb's insights and hinting at future explorations of Old Testament tales. Dr. Stinchcomb also mentions her upcoming book, "The Queen of Sheba between the Bible and the Cabernet Guest," promising further depth on this captivating figure.

This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions and insights while providing context for listeners unfamiliar with the original podcast.