βασίλισσα (basilissa)
basilissa
queen
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 4 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun basilissa simply means a queen, specifically the female ruler or the wife of a king. In the New Testament, this word appears only four times, primarily in the Gospels and Revelation. It serves as the feminine counterpart to basileus (king), maintaining the same royal dignity and authority.
Jesus uses this title in Matthew 12:42 and Luke 11:31 when referring to the Queen of the South. He contrasts her with his own generation, noting that she traveled from distant lands to hear Solomon’s wisdom, yet someone greater than Solomon is present now. This reference highlights the historical reality of foreign queens seeking truth, a theme echoed in Acts 8:27 regarding the Ethiopian queen Candace’s treasurer and in Revelation 18:7 with the symbolic fall of Babylon.
The word carries no additional theological nuance beyond its literal meaning of royal womanhood. It appears in contexts that emphasize the reach of divine wisdom or the grandeur of earthly power, whether historical or apocalyptic. Translators consistently render it as "queen," preserving the clear distinction from the male ruler while affirming her status.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word basilissa appears in Scripture to describe women who held significant royal authority, whether as rulers in their own right or as consorts to kings. In Matthew and Luke, Jesus mentions the Queen of the South, a foreign monarch who traveled great distances to seek Solomon’s wisdom. This story reminds us that the pursuit of divine truth often requires effort and humility, crossing cultural and geographical boundaries to find understanding.
Other passages reference queens in different contexts, such as the treasurer serving Candace, queen of Ethiopia, or the symbolic portrayal of Babylon in Revelation. These references highlight the global reach of God’s influence and the reality of earthly power structures that stand in contrast to spiritual truths. Whether describing historical figures or apocalyptic symbols, the term underscores the dignity and responsibility associated with leadership.
For believers today, these accounts invite reflection on how we respond to wisdom and truth. Like the Queen of the South, we are encouraged to seek understanding with sincerity, recognizing that God’s wisdom is available to all who earnestly desire it. This perspective helps us value our own spiritual journey and the importance of remaining open to God’s guidance in our daily lives.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 4 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- queen1×
- [as] a queen1×
- [The] queen1×
- [The] Queen1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- βασίλισσα2×
- βασιλίσσης1×
- Βασίλισσα1×
Key Verses
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Matthew 12:42
The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here.
Jesus uses this queen as a standard to condemn his unresponsive generation, highlighting her active pursuit of wisdom compared to their passive rejection of him.
-
Luke 11:31
The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and will condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, one greater than Solomon is here.
This parallel account reinforces the contrast between the foreign queen’s diligent search for truth and the local audience’s failure to recognize the greater presence among them.
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Acts 8:27
He arose and went; and behold, there was a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship.
The mention of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, provides historical context for the Ethiopian eunuch’s high status and his journey to Jerusalem to worship.