2 Chr 9:9

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she gave.

2Chr 9:24; 1Kgs 9:14; 1Kgs 10:10; Ps 72:10; Ps 72:15

of spices.

2Chr 9:1; Gen 43:11; Exod 30:34

Sheba.

This queen is called Balkis by the Arabians, who say she came from the city of Sheba, also called Mareb, in Yemen or Arabia Felix; but the Ethiopians call her Maqueda, claim her as their sovereign, and say that her posterity reigned there for a long time. Mr. Bruce has given us the history of her and her descendants from Abyssinian records; and Josephus says that Sheba was the ancient name of the city of Mero� (south of Egypt, and sometimes comprehended in Ethiopia,) and that this princess came from thence.

Those who think the princess came from Arabia, rely chiefly on the fact that gold, silver, spices, and precious stones, which were the presents she made to Solomon, are the natural products of that country; and that it may well be placed at the uttermost part of the earth, as it borders on the southern ocean, and formerly they knew no land beyond it.